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:

Stop Watch
The stop watch can be used in closed course competition. The stop watch is operated as follows: Push the upper button to display the stop watch. To start the stop watch, push the “START/STOP” switch on the right handlebar switch to the left. A. “START/STOP” Switch ...

Radiator Cap Inspection
Remove: Radiator Cap (see Coolant Change in the Periodic Maintenance chapter) Check the condition of the bottom [A] and top [B] valve seals and valve spring [C]. If any one of them shows visible damage, replace the cap with a new one. Install the cap [A] on a cooling system pr ...

Exhaust Device
This motorcycle is equipped with a exhaust device system. This system controls the valve in the exhaust pipe and produces stable engine power at low and middle engine speed. This exhaust device is controlled by the ECU, and adjustment or maintenance should be done only by a competent mechanic ...