I didn't even know a shifting chart existed. I wind my bike out to redline in every gear till I hit my target speed, its only once I get there that I shift up to lower the RPMs to cruise. However if I am in the twisties I try to have the rpm hovering around 9k so I have room to slow down and speed up without needing to shift mid corner. Shifting is really a situation-based thing, when I am trying to get to a certain speed quickly, I use every bit of RPM each gear will give me, however if I am just cruising with traffic and taking it easy I probably shift around 7k.

But to answer your question, tear that page out of the manual and burn it

 

I didn't even know a shifting chart existed. I wind my bike out to redline in every gear till I hit my target speed, its only once I get there that I shift up to lower the RPMs to cruise. However if I am in the twisties I try to have the rpm hovering around 7k so I have room to slow down and speed up without needing to shift mid corner. Shifting is really a situation-based thing, when I am trying to get to a certain speed quickly, I use every bit of RPM each gear will give me, however if I am just cruising with traffic and taking it easy I probably shift around 7k.

But to answer your question, tear that page out of the manual and burn it

Damn..... I have not been shifting properly at all HAHAHAHA. Just been shifting way to soon. I need to open her up a bit more.

Thanks man

 

For relatively conservative riding when I had the ninja 300, I shifted gears when referencing speed would be the gear I wanted times ten. So I'd shift to second gear at around 20 mph and third when I hit 30 mpg etc. It's a bit more on the conservative side at higher gears but has held fairly consistent for me throughout all of the bikes I've had and ridden and even my car.

 

I thought the shift chart in my manual was some kind of inside joke from Kawi. I was expecting to see "/s" after it

I shift as the situation dictates.

 

Here's where I shift.

But for road riding, if I did, I'd probably shift around 10K until I get to the speed I want.

 

yep, that's hilarious. my manual doesn't have that, only point it makes on shifting (other than the newbie how to shift) is to downshift at no higher than 5000rpm which is like saying "we'll put a slipper clutch in for you, but don't use it" lol

 

I go:

1st to 2nd: ~30km/h
2nd to 3rd: ~50-55km/h (local in town speed limit.)
3rd to 4th to 5th gets be to 100km/h (open road speed limit), then up to 6th to cruise at a lower RPM.

Generally keep RPM no lower than 4k absolute lowest, preferably above 5k. All of the above goes out the window if I feel like making noise, redline shifting to whatever speed I think I can get away with.

 

Depends. There is not a hard and fast rule to shifting. And I rely more on rpm vs mph for shifting.

Behind a mini van light to light? I shift at 6.5k

Regular acceleration on side roads 7 to 9k.

Entering the highway or riding with bigger bikes? 10k to the redline.

There is heavy traffic where I live and being in the power is crucial. I generally do not cruise at less than 7k on roads. ( I'll allow decel to around 4.5k before downshifting depending )

The only time I shift similar to the guide is when I'm in my neighborhood and am trying to keep the noise down.

Edit : I have a 40tooth sprocket in the rear.

 

Feel the RPM - don't be afraid to push past the 8-10k or even to the redline (You won't have to push it that far, though). Depending on how fast i have to accelerate, i push the rpms higher, but shifting is done whenever i feel like there is too much noise/vibration. Ride how you want, the ninja loves high rpms but if you'd rather use higher gear and have a lower rpm, it is fine too.

 

I just shift whenever I want

 

You have to shift on a bike?

 

You'll get a feel for how much torque you have on tap at a given engine speed and gear; just go by that.

I tend to short shift around town because I like to keep the noise down, on a more open road I let the engine wind out to around 10.5-11k; I have a stock bike & slip on and don't get much benefit by redlining.

Likewise, doing any passing on this bike you want the revs smack in the powerband or it'll feel like treacle right when you don't want it to.

 

Wait, there's a shifting chart? I just try to shift at some point before redline.

 

I normally shift around 4-5k. I ride in the city and there is no point wasting gas to get to the next red light. LOL

 

Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!


LOL, no really, shifting from 7-10k rpm is about right, depending on the traffic speed.... you can still rev it out in the city around 9k in gear and not hurt it, they are designed for high rpm, not low.... you are dogging your tranny shifting too low... (6k is usually the lowest i'll ever shift)
And if you need to get off the line because that idiot behind you is crowding your bumper? 1st=10k, 2nd=12k, 3rd=13k , you are now at 50-ish mph in around 7-9 seconds.... fast enough for the city.

 

With a quickshifter you can get that in the mid-6s or better! It's also a good way to confuse R3 riders hahaha.

http://www.kawasakininja300.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

34 mph in 6th gear, what is this a shift guide for grandma?

 

Exactly why I made this post, I was following this guide around town and was just thinking to myself "Holy hell this fucking sucks"

On the way home from school today I took all this advice and was shifting at like 10k RPM and OH BOY it was exhilarating.

 

These beasts love the high RPMS. I've bounced off the rev limiter more times than I can count, don't be afraid to let her rip.

Here's my shift chart

Moar fast
Option A. Throttle Up -> Redline -> Shift up
Option B. Shift Down -> See Option A

Moar Slow
Down Shift -> Throttle Down

If I'm just cruising then I'll shift based on the sound of the exhaust, probably around 6-9k, just to keep the noise to a minimum.But don't get me wrong, she's happier when she's screaming

 

Is this shift chart country specific? I do not recall seeing this in my manual.

Regards,
Kaustav

 

Found the Brazilian shift chart though! Beep Beeeeep!

 

The manual tells you not to go over 4k RPMs during break-in as well...
Good luck if you have to drive anywhere over 40mph.