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:

Coolant Level Inspection
NOTE Check the level when the engine is cold (room or ambient temperature). Check the coolant level in the reserve tank [A] with the motorcycle held perpendicular (Do not use the sidestand). If the coolant level is lower than the “L” level line [B], remove the upper fairing assembly (s ...

System Components
1. KIBS ECU With input from the front and rear wheel sensors and front caliper hydraulic pressure, the KIBS ECU analyzes various conditions on the motorcycle, and with additional information from the FI ECU (engine speed, throttle position, gear position, and clutch actuation) precisely control ...

Front Fork
The front fork operation and oil leakage should be checked in accordance with the Periodic Maintenance Chart. For various riding or load conditions the front fork can be adjusted for: Spring preload Rebound damping force Compression damping force WARNINGImproper fork leg adju ...