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:

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 ...

Flap and Rear Fender Rear Removal
Remove: Front and Rear Seat (see Front/Rear Seat Removal) Seat Covers (see Seat Cover Removal) Vehicle-down Sensor Connector [A] Screws [B] Clear the seat lock cable [C] from the seat lock unit [D]. Take off the seat lock unit and the bracket. Remove: Bolts [A] (Both Sides ...

Crankcase Splitting
Remove the engine (see Engine Removal in the Engine Removal/Installation chapter). Set the engine on a clean surface and hold the engine steady while parts are being removed. Remove: Cylinder Head (see Cylinder Head Removal in the Engine Top End chapter) Starter Motor (see Starter M ...