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 ...

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Related Parts Locations
KIBS Control 1. ABS performance equivalent to the current model (enhanced braking stability) By monitoring front caliper hydraulic pressure, KIBS regulates pressure increases reducing the tendency of the rear to lift. Before the ABS system fully reacts, KIBS system prevents the pressure ...

Additional Considerations for High Speed Operation
Brakes: The importance of the brakes, especially during high speed operation, cannot be overemphasized. Check to see that they are correctly adjusted and functioning properly. Steering: Looseness in the steering can cause loss of control. Check to see that the handlebar turns freely but ha ...

Mode-switching
Depress the S-KTRC button on the left handlebar switch to change the mode. The mode can be changed only when the throttle grip is closed completely. The S-KTRC OFF can be selected only when the motorcycle is at a stop. Changing to mode 1 from S-KTRC OFF is possible while riding. NOTE ...