Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

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:

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 ...

Subthrottle Valve Actuator Inspection
NOTE Be sure the battery is fully charged. Remove the air cleaner housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter). Turn the ignition switch to ON. Check to see that all the subthrottle valves [A] open and close smoothly. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. I ...

Steering Play Inspection
Remove the lower fairings (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter). Raise the front wheel off the ground with the jack. Special Tools - Jack: 57001-1238 Jack Attachment: 57001-1608 With the front wheel pointing straight ahead, alternately tap each end of the handlebar. The f ...