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:

Balancer Adjustment
Remove the left lower fairing (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter). Start the engine and warm it up thoroughly. Adjust the balancer gear backlash with the engine idling. The amount of backlash can be changed by turning the balancer shaft which has eccentric journals. St ...

Rear Shock Absorber Removal
Remove: Lower Fairings (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter) Fuel Tank (see Fuel Tank Removal in the Fuel System chapter) Bolts [A] (Both Sides) Foot Guard [B] (Both Sides) Squeeze the brake lever slowly and hold it with a band [A]. WARNINGBe sure to h ...

Wheel Rotation Sensor Rotor Inspection
Remove: Wheels (see Front/Rear Wheel Removal in the Wheels/Tires chapter) Brake Disc Mounting Bolts [A] Sensor Rotor [B] Front Wheel [C] Rear Wheel [D] Visually inspect the wheel rotation sensor rotor. If the rotor is deformed or damaged (chipped teeth [A]), replace the ...