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 Installation
Apply molybdenum disulfide grease to the threads of the adjusting collars [A]. Install the adjusting collars to crankcase backside until end of the threads. Install the adjusting collar [A] to the frame until end of the threads. Replace the engine mounting nuts with ne ...

Coolant Change
WARNINGCoolant can be extremely hot and cause severe burns, is toxic and very slippery. Do not remove the radiator cap or attempt to change the coolant when the engine is hot; allow it cool completely. Immediately wipe any spilled coolant from tires, frame, engine or othe ...

Brake Pedal Position Adjustment
NOTE Usually it is not necessary to adjust the pedal position, but always adjust it when push rod locknut has been loosened. Loosen the locknut [A] and turn the push rod with the hex head [B] to achieve the correct pedal position. If the length [C] shown is 69 ±1 mm (2.7 ±0.04 in.), th ...