Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual / How to ride the motorcycle / Shifting Gears

Close the throttle while pulling in the clutch lever.
Shift into the next higher or lower gear.
Open the throttle part way, while releasing the clutch lever.
For smooth riding, each gear position should cover the proper rate of speed shown in the table.

WARNING

Downshifting to a lower gear at high speed causes engine rpm to increase excessively, potentially damaging the engine and it may also cause the rear wheel to skid and cause an accident.

Vehicle speed when shifting

NOTE

The transmission is equipped with a positive neutral finder. When the motorcycle is standing still, the transmission cannot be shifted past neutral from 1st gear. To use the positive neutral finder, shift down to 1st gear, then lift up on the shift pedal while standing still. The transmission will shift only into neutral.

Moving Off

Check that the side stand is up. Pull in the clutch lever. Shift into 1st gear. Open the throttle a little, and start to let out the clutch lever very slowly. As the clutch starts to enga ...

Braking

Close the throttle completely, leaving the clutch engaged (except when shifting gears) so that the engine will help slow down the motorcycle. Shift down one gear at a time so that you are ...

Other materials:

Front Wheel Removal
Remove: Front Caliper Mounting Bolts [A] (Both Sides) Front Caliper [B] (Both Sides) Loosen: Front Axle Clamp Bolts [A] (Right Side) Front Axle [B] Remove the lower fairings (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter). Raise the front wheel off the ground. ...

Camshaft Chain Tensioner Removal
NOTICE This is a non-return type camshaft chain tensioner. The push rod does not return to its original position once it moves out to take up camshaft chain slack. Observe all the rules listed below. When removing the tensioner, do not take out the mounting bolts only halfway. Retighteni ...

Ignition Switch Replacement
Remove: Air Cleaner Housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter) Disconnect the lead connectors [A]. Remove: Steering Stem Head (see Stem, Stem Bearing Removal in the Steering chapter) Using a small chisel or punch [A], turn out the Torx bolts. ...