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:

Handlebar Installation
Apply a non-permanent locking agent to the threads of the handlebar positioning bolts and tighten them. Torque - Handlebar Positioning Bolts: 9.8 N·m (1.0 kgf·m, 87 in·lb) Install the steering stem head with handlebars. Install the washer [A] and steering stem head nut [B]. Tighten: ...

External Shift Mechanism Removal
Remove: Shift Lever (see Shift Pedal Removal) Oil Pump Drive Gear (see Oil Pump Drive Gear Removal/ Installation in the Engine Lubrication System chapter) Circlip [A] Washer [B] Special Tool - Outside Circlip Pliers: 57001-144 Remove: Shift Shaft Assembly [A] Washer [B] ...

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 in 1st gear when you come to a complete stop. When stopping, always apply both brakes at the ...