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:

Engine Oil
In order for the engine, transmission, and clutch to function properly, maintain the engine oil at the proper level, and change the oil and replace the oil filter in accordance with the Periodic Maintenance Chart. Not only do dirt and metal particles collect in the oil, but the oil itself los ...

External Shift Mechanism Installation
Install the gear positioning lever [A] as shown in the figure. Install: Spring [B] Washer [C] Tighten: Torque - Gear Positioning Lever Bolt [D]: 12 N·m (1.2 kgf·m, 106 in·lb) Assemble: Ratchet [A] Pawls [B] Pins [C] Springs [D] Install the shift ratchet ...

General Lubrication
Lubricate the points shown below, with either motor oil or regular grease, in accordance with the Periodic Maintenance Chart or whenever the vehicle has been operated under wet or rainy conditions. Before lubricating each part, clean off any rusty spots with rust remover and wipe off any g ...