Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual: Tire Tread Wear Inspection

Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual / Periodic Maintenance / Periodic Maintenance Procedures / Wheels/Tires / Tire Tread Wear Inspection

As the tire tread wears down, the tire becomes more susceptible to puncture and failure. An accepted estimate is that 90% of all tire failures occur during the last 10% of tread life (90% worn). So it is false economy and unsafe to use the tires until they are bald.

If any measurement is less than the service limit, replace the tire (see Tire Removal/Installation in the Wheels/Tires chapter).

Tire Tread Wear Inspection


Tread Depth Standard:

Front 3.6 mm (0.14 in.)

Rear 5.3 mm (0.21 in.)

Service Limit:

Front 1 mm (0.04 in.) (AT, CH, DE) 1.6 mm (0.06 in.)

Rear 2 mm (0.08 in.) (Up to 130 km/h (80 mph)) 3 mm (0.12 in.) (Over 130 km/h (80 mph))

WARNING

Some replacement tires may adversely affect handling and cause an accident resulting in serious injury or death. To ensure proper handling and stability, use only the recommended standard tires for replacement, inflated to the standard pressure.

NOTE

Wheel/Tire Damage Inspection
Remove any imbedded stones [A] or other foreign particles [B] from tread. Visually inspect the tire for cracks and cuts, and replace the tire if necessary. Swelling or high spots indicate int ...

Wheel Bearing Damage Inspection
Raise the front wheel off the ground with the jack (see Front Wheel Removal in the Wheels/Tires chapter). Special Tools - Jack: 57001-1238 Jack Attachment: 57001-1608 Turn the handlebar a ...

Other materials:

Alternator Cover Removal
Remove: Upper Fairing Assembly (see Upper Fairing Assembly Removal in the Frame chapter) Air Cleaner Housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter) Bolt [A] Bring the heat insulator plate [B] forward to remove the alternator lead connector. Clear the p ...

Front Footpeg Position
The right and left front footpegs can be selected to one of two positions to suit the front preferences. Have the front footpeg positions changed by an authorized Kawasaki dealer. A. Bolts B. Upper Position (Standard) C. Lower Position NOTE Install the front footpegs with same heig ...

Piston Ring, Piston Ring Groove Wear Inspection
Check for uneven groove wear by inspecting the ring seating. The rings should fit perfectly parallel to groove surfaces. If not, replace the piston and all the piston rings. With the piston rings in their grooves, make several measurements with a thickness gauge [A] to determine pisto ...