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:

Rear Turn Signal Light Bulb Replacement
Remove the upper seat cover (see Seat Cover Removal in the Frame chapter). Disconnect the tail/brake light connector [A]. Turn the socket [A] counterclockwise and remove the socket together with the bulb. Push and turn the turn signal light bulb [A] counterclockwise an ...

Connecting Rod Installation
NOTICE To minimize vibration, the connecting rods should have the same weight mark. Big End Cap [A] Connecting Rod [B] Weight Mark, Alphabet [C] Diameter Mark [D] (“” or No Mark) NOTICE If the connecting rods, big end bearing inserts, or crankshaft are replaced with new ones, select ...

Water Pump Inspection
Remove the left lower fairing (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter). Check the drainage outlet passage [A] at the bottom of the water pump body for coolant leaks. If the mechanical seal is damaged, the coolant leaks through the seal and drains through the passage. Replace th ...