Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

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:

Shift Fork/Gear Groove Wear Inspection
Measure the thickness of the shift fork ears [A], and measure the width [B] of the gear grooves. If the thickness of a shift fork ear is less than the service limit, the shift fork must be replaced. Shift Fork Ear Thickness Standard: 5.7 6.0 mm (0.224 0.236 in.) Service Limit: 5.6 mm ...

External Shift Mechanism Removal
Remove: Shift Lever (see Shift Pedal Removal) Oil Pump Drive Gear (see Oil Pump Drive Gear Removal/ Installation in the Engine Lubrication System chapter) Circlip [A] Washer [B] Special Tool - Outside Circlip Pliers: 57001-144 Remove: Shift Shaft Assembly [A] Washer [B] ...

Compression Damping Force Adjuster and Rebound Damping Force Adjuster Adjustment
The compression damping force adjuster and the rebound damping force adjuster are located on top of each front fork leg. Turn the adjuster clockwise with a screwdriver to increase damping force. Turn the adjuster counterclockwise to decrease damping force. NOTICE Do not force to t ...