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:

Location of parts
Clutch Lever Left Handlebar Switches Rebound Damping Force Adjuster (Front Fork) Compression damping force adjuster (Front Fork) Meter Instruments Brake Fluid Reservoir (Front) Right Handlebar Switches Front Brake Lever Throttle Grip Ignition Switch/Steering Lock Elect ...

Inner Tube Inspection
Visually inspect the inner tube [A]. If there is any damage, replace the inner tube. Since damage to the inner tube damages the oil seal, replace the oil seal whenever the inner tube is replaced. NOTICE If the inner tube is badly bent or creased, replace it. Excessive bending, followed by ...

License Plate Light Bulb Replacement
Remove: Screws [A] License Plate Light Cover [B] Pull the bulb [A] out of the socket [B]. NOTICE Do not turn the bulb. Pull the bulb out to prevent damage to the bulb. Do not use bulb rated for greater wattage than the specified value. Replace the bulb with a new one. In ...