The transmission is provided to keep the engine operating smoothly in its normal operating speed range. The gear ratios have been carefully chosen to meet the characteristics of the engine. The rider should always select the most suitable gear for the prevailing conditions. Never slip the clutch to control road speed, but rather downshift to allow the engine to run within its normal operational range. The table below shows the approximate speed range for each gear.
Shifting up schedule

Shifting down schedule

Disengage the clutch when the motorcycle speed drops below 12 miles/h (20 km/h).
Warning
Reduce speed before downshifting. |
Warning
Reduce your speed and downshift before entering the corner. |
|
Caution Revving the engine into the red zone can cause severe engine damage. Never allow the engine to rev into the red zone in any gear. |
Starting off
Riding on hillsExcva removal and installation
Removal
Turn the ignition switch off.
Remove the left side cowling. Refer to “exterior parts removal and
installation” in section 9d .
Connect the special tool (mode select switch) to the dealer mode
coupler. Refer to “self-diagnostic procedures” in section 1a .
After tur ...
Steering / steering damper related parts
inspection
Refer to “steering / steering damper removal and installation” .
Inspect the removed parts for the following
abnormalities:
Steering stem
Distortion of the steering stem and brackets.
Bearing
Bearing wear or damage
abnormal bearing noise
race wear or damage
&nbs ...
Damping force adjustment
The rebound and compression
damping force can be individually
adjusted by turning the respective
adjusters. The rebound damping
force adjuster 2 is located at the
top of the front fork. The compression
damping force adjuster 3 is
located at the bottom of the front
fork.
To adjust the da ...