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:

Valve Clearance
Valve and valve seat wear decreases valve clearance, upsetting valve timing. NOTICE If valve clearance is left unadjusted, wear will eventually cause the valves to remain partly open; which lowers performance, burns the valves and valve seats, and may cause serious engine damage. Valve cle ...

Subthrottle Sensor Input Voltage Inspection
NOTE Be sure the battery is fully charged. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. Remove the air cleaner housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter) Disconnect the subthrottle sensor connector and connect the harness adapter [A] between these connectors. Spec ...

Air Cleaner
A clogged air cleaner restricts the engine’s air intake, increasing fuel consumption, reducing engine power, and causing spark plug fouling. This motorcycle’s air cleaner element consists of a wet paper filter, which cannot be cleaned. The air cleaner element must be replaced in acco ...