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:

Intake Air Pressure Sensor #1 Removal
NOTICE Never drop the intake air pressure sensor #1 especially on a hard surface. Such a shock to the sensor can damage it. Remove: Air Cleaner Housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter) Intake Air Pressure Sensor #1 Connector [A] Remove the intake air ...

Swingarm Removal
Remove: Rear Wheel (see Rear Wheel Removal in the Wheels/Tires chapter) Mud Guard with Rear Brake Hose (see Mud Guard Removal in the Frame chapter) Rocker Arm (see Rocker Arm Removal) Remove: Brake Hose Clamp Bolt [A] Unscrew the swingarm pivot shaft nut [A]. Usi ...

Piston Ring, Piston Ring Groove Wear Inspection
Check for uneven groove wear by inspecting the ring seating. The rings should fit perfectly parallel to groove surfaces. If not, replace the piston and all the piston rings. With the piston rings in their grooves, make several measurements with a thickness gauge [A] to determine pisto ...