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 hillsOil jet removal and installation
Piston cooling oil jet
Removal
Remove the engine assembly. Refer to “engine assembly removal” in
section 1d .
Remove the crankshaft assembly. Refer to “engine
bottom side disassembly” in section 1d (page 1d-
49).
Remove the piston cooling oil jets (1) from the upper
cra ...
Drive chain replacement
Use the special tool in the following procedures, to cut
and rejoin the drive chain.
Note
when using the special tool, apply a small
quantity of grease to the threaded parts of
the special tool.
Special tool
: 09922–22711 (drive chain cutting
and joint
tool set)
Driv ...
Camshaft inspection
Refer to “engine top side disassembly” .
Refer to “engine top side assembly” .
Camshaft identification
The exhaust camshaft has the embossed letters “ex”
and the intake camshaft has the embossed letters “in”.
Cam wear
Check the camshaft for wear or damage.
Measure the cam height “a” w ...