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:

Camshaft Removal
Remove: Cylinder Head Cover (see Cylinder Head Cover Removal) Crankshaft Sensor Cover (see Crankshaft Sensor Removal in the Electrical System chapter) Using a wrench on the timing rotor bolt [A], turn the crankshaft clockwise until the line [B] (TDC mark for #1,4 pistons) on the timin ...

US, CA and CAL Models
1. Hold the water hose [A]. Insert the tab into the slot. 2. Hold the water hose [B]. Insert the tab into the slot. 3. Water Hose Fitting on Cylinder Head 4. Heat Insulation Rubber Plate 5. Run the crankshaft sensor lead and the oil pressure switch lead into the slot, and hook the slot on ...

Stick Coil Removal
Remove the air cleaner housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter). Disconnect the stick coil connectors [A]. Pull out the stick coils [B] upward. First, turn the stick coil by 90 degrees, and then pull it out by twisting the coil head to the left and righ ...