Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

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

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:

Starter Relay Inspection
Remove the front seat (see Front Seat Removal in the Frame chapter). Remove the battery negative (–) cable from the battery negative (–) terminal (see Battery Removal). Take the starter relay [A] off the rear fender. Remove the cover [B]. Remove: Starter Motor Cable [A] ...

Warning/Indicator Lights
: When the transmission is in neutral, the neutral indicator light goes on. : When the headlight is on high beam, the high beam indicator light goes on. : When the turn signal switch is pushed to the left or right, the turn signal indicator light blinks. ...

Radiator and Cooling Fan
Check the radiator fins for obstruction by insects or mud. Clean off any obstructions with a stream of low-pressure water. WARNINGThe cooling fan spins at high speed and can cause serious injuries. Keep your hands and clothing away from the cooling fan blades at all times. ...