Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual / How to ride the motorcycle / Shifting Gears

Close the throttle while pulling in the clutch lever.
Shift into the next higher or lower gear.
Open the throttle part way, while releasing the clutch lever.
For smooth riding, each gear position should cover the proper rate of speed shown in the table.

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:

Crankshaft Sensor Removal
Remove: Fuel Tank (see Fuel Tank Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter) Crankshaft Sensor Lead Connector [A] Remove: Right Lower Fairing (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter) Bolts [A] Crankshaft Sensor Cover [B] and Gasket Oil Pressure Switch Terminal [C] ...

Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute (r/min, rpm). On the right side of the tachometer face is a portion called the “red zone”. Engine r/min (rpm) in the red zone is above maximum recommended engine speed and is also above the range for good performance. ...

Radiator and Radiator Fan Removal
Remove: Upper Fairing Assembly (see Upper Fairing Assembly Removal in the Frame chapter) Coolant (Drain, see Coolant Change in the Periodic Maintenance chapter) Air Cleaner Housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter) Coolant Reserve Tank (see Coolant R ...