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 Removal
Split the crankcase (see Crankcase Splitting). Remove: Connecting Rod Big End Nuts [A] Connecting Rod Big End Caps [B] NOTE Mark and record the locations of the connecting rods and their big end caps so that they can be reassembled in their original positions. Remove the crank ...

Subthrottle Valve Actuator Inspection
NOTE Be sure the battery is fully charged. Remove the air cleaner housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter). Turn the ignition switch to ON. Check to see that all the subthrottle valves [A] open and close smoothly. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. I ...

Special Tools
Fork Oil Level Gauge: 57001-1290 Vacuum Gauge: 57001-1369 Hand Tester: 57001-1394 Throttle Sensor Setting Adapter #1: 57001-1400 Peak Voltage Adapter: 57001-1415 Needle Adapter Set: 57001-1457 Throttle Sensor Setting Adapter: 57001-1538 Measuring Adapter: 57001-1700 ...