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:

Throttle Control System Inspection
Check the throttle grip free play [A]. If the free play is incorrect, adjust the throttle cables. Throttle Grip Free Play Standard: 2 3 mm (0.08 0.12 in.) Check that the throttle grip [B] moves smoothly from full open to close, and the throttle closes quickly and completely by the ...

Rider’s Seat Removal
Remove the bolts and seat cover. A. Bolts B. Seat Cover Remove the mounting bolts and pull off the seat upward. A. Mounting Bolts B. Rider’s Seat ...

Crankcase Assembly
NOTICE The upper and lower crankcase halves are machined at the factory in the assembled state, so the crankcase halves must be replaced as a set. With a high flash-point solvent, clean off the mating surfaces of the crankcase halves and wipe dry WARNINGGasoline and low flash-poin ...