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:

Specifications
Connecting Rod Big End Bearing Insert Selection Crankshaft Main Bearing Insert Selection *: The bearing inserts for Nos. 2 and 4 journals have an oil groove, respectively. ...

Power Mode Indicator
This indicator shows the selected Power Mode. For more detailed information about the power mode, see power mode section in the How to Ride the Motorcycle chapter. A. Power Mode Indicator NOTE When all power mode indicators go off, the battery voltage is insufficient. Have the machine ...

Clutch Plate Warp Inspection
Place each friction plate or steel plate on a surface plate and measure the gap between the surface plate [A] and each friction plate or steel plate [B] with a thickness gauge [C]. The gap is the amount of friction or steel plate warp. If any plate is warped over the service limit, repla ...