Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Safe riding technique

You should be aware of and verify the applicable safety regulations in force prior to riding your motorcycle.

Gloves and suitable footwear should also be used for added protection in case of a mishap.

A motorcycle does not provide the impact protection of an automobile, so defensive riding in addition to wearing protective apparel is extremely important. Do not let protective apparel give you a false sense of security.

When riding always keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footpegs. Removing your hands from the handlebars or feet from the footpegs while riding can be hazardous. If you remove even one hand or foot, you can reduce your ability to control the motorcycle.

When going up steep slopes, shift to a lower gear so that there is plenty of power to spare rather than overloading the engine.

When applying the brakes, use both the front and rear brakes. Applying only one brake for sudden braking may cause the motorcycle to skid and lose control.

When going down long slopes, control vehicle speed by closing the throttle. Use the front and rear brakes for auxiliary braking.

In wet conditions, rely more on the throttle to control vehicle speed and less on the front and rear brakes.

The throttle should also be used judiciously to avoid skidding the rear wheel from too rapid acceleration or deceleration.

Riding at the proper rate of speed and avoiding unnecessarily fast acceleration are important not only for safety and low fuel consumption but also for long vehicle life and quieter operation.

On rough roads, exercise caution, slow down, and grip the fuel tank with knees for better stability.