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:

Valve Seat Inspection
Remove the valve (see Valve Removal). Check the valve seating surface [A] between the valve [B] and valve seat [C]. Measure the outside diameter [D] of the seating pattern on the valve seat. If the outside diameter is too large or too small, repair the seat (see Valve Seat Repair). Val ...

Rear Wheel Removal
Raise the rear wheel off the ground with the stand [A]. Remove: Cotter Pin [A] Rear Axle Nut [B] Washer [C] Rear Axle [D] (from Right Side) Remove the rear wheel rotation sensor from the caliper bracket (see Rear Wheel Rotation Sensor Removal in the Brakes chapter). ...

Coolant Flow Chart
1. Radiator 2. Radiator Fan 3. Water Pump 4. Oil Cooler 5. Oil Cooler Intake Hose 6. Oil Cooler Outlet Hose 7. Cylinder Jacket 8. Cylinder Head Jacket 9. Thermostat Housing 10. Air Bleeder Hose 11. Radiator Cap 12. Radiator Overflow Hose 13. Reserve Tank 14. Reserve Tank Overflow Ho ...