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:

Check 3-6: Neutral Indicator Light (LED) Inspection
Connect the leads in the same circuit as Check 3-2. Connect the terminal [8] to the battery (–) terminal. Check that the neutral indicator light (LED) [A] goes on. If the indicator light does not go on, replace the meter unit. ...

Pressure Testing
Remove: Upper Fairing Assembly (see Upper Fairing Assembly Removal in the Frame chapter) Radiator Cap [A] Remove the radiator cap in two steps. First turn the cap counterclockwise to the first stop. Then push and turn it further in the same direction and remove the cap. Install the ...

Gear Position Switch Inspection
NOTE Be sure the transmission and external shift mechanism are good condition. Remove the fuel tank (see Fuel Tank Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter). Disconnect the connector [A]. Set the hand tester [A] to the × 1 kΩ or × 100 Ω range and connect i ...