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:

Idle Speed Control Valve Actuator Input Voltage Inspection
NOTE Be sure the battery is fully charged. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. Disconnect the idle speed control valve actuator connector and connect a suitable measuring leads [A] between these connectors as shown in the figure. Main Harness [B] Idle Speed Control Valve Actua ...

Fuel Pump Relay Inspection
Refer to the Relay Circuit Inspection in the Electrical System chapter. If the fuel pump relay is normal, check the wiring to the fuel pump relay (see Fuel Pump Relay Circuit). Special Tool - Hand Tester: 57001-1394 If the wiring is good, check the ECU for its ground and power supply (se ...

Brake Fluid Level Inspection
Check that the brake fluid level in the front brake reservoir [A] is above the lower level line [B]. NOTE Hold the reservoir horizontal by turning the handlebar when checking brake fluid level. If the fluid level is lower than the lower level line, fill the reservoir to the upper lev ...