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:

Headlight Beam
NOTE Do not turn the bolts because the reflector in the headlight comes off. A. Bolts The left and right adjusters on the headlight can move the direction of the headlight beam to up, down, left and right by turning each adjuster itself as the below table. A. Left Adjuster ...

Crankcase Splitting
Remove the engine (see Engine Removal in the Engine Removal/Installation chapter). Set the engine on a clean surface and hold the engine steady while parts are being removed. Remove: Cylinder Head (see Cylinder Head Removal in the Engine Top End chapter) Starter Motor (see Starter M ...

Special Tools and Sealant
Oil Pressure Gauge, 5 kgf/cm²: 57001-125 Hand Tester: 57001-1394 Needle Adapter Set: 57001-1457 Extension Tube: 57001-1578 Fuel Pressure Gauge Adapter: 57001-1593 Fuel Hose: 57001-1607 Measuring Adapter: 57001-1700 Liquid Gasket, TB1211: 56019-120 ...