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:

Rocker Arm Installation
Install the both rocker arms [A] so that their marks [B] face left side. Replace the tie-rod nut, rear shock absorber nut and rocker arm nut with new ones. Apply grease to the inside of the oil seals. Tighten: Torque - Rocker Arm Nut: 34 N·m (3.5 kgf·m, 25 ft·lb) Tie-Rod ...

Torque Limiter Installation
Apply molybdenum disulfide grease to the torque limiter shaft [A]. Install the torque limiter [B], the collar [C] and the shaft. Turn the large-hole end of the shaft to inside as shown in the figure. Replace the washer [D] with a new one. Apply a non-permanent locking agent to the t ...

Caliper Installation
Install the caliper and brake hose lower end. For the front caliper, be sure to install the collars [A]. Replace the washers on each side of hose fitting with new ones. Touch the brake hoses [A] to the stopper [B] of the caliper. Front Calipers [C] Rear Caliper [D] Tighten: To ...