Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

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:

Upper Fairing Assembly Removal
Remove: Lower Fairings (see Lower Fairing Removal) Center Inner Fairing (see Center Inner Fairing Removal) Upper Inner Fairings (see Upper Inner Fairing Removal) Windshield (see Windshield Removal) Disconnect the front turn signal light lead connector [A] (both sides). Remove the bo ...

Compression Damping Force Adjuster and Rebound Damping Force Adjuster Adjustment
The compression damping force adjuster and the rebound damping force adjuster are located on top of each front fork leg. Turn the adjuster clockwise with a screwdriver to increase damping force. Turn the adjuster counterclockwise to decrease damping force. NOTICE Do not force to t ...

Shift Fork Guide Pin/Drum Groove Wear Inspection
Measure the diameter of each shift fork guide pin [A], and measure the width [B] of each shift drum groove. If the guide pin on any shift fork is less than the service limit, the fork must be replaced. Shift Fork Guide Pin Diameter Standard: 6.9 7.0 mm (0.272 0.276 in.) Service Limit: ...