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 hillsCrankshaft thrust clearance inspection and
selection
Refer to “engine bottom side disassembly” (page 1d-
49).
Refer to “engine bottom side assembly” .
Inspection
With the crankshaft’s right-side and left-side thrust
bearings inserted into the upper crankcase.
Measure the thrust clearance “a” between the leftside
thrust bearing and ...
Starter torque limiter inspection
Removal
Remove the clutch cover. Refer to “clutch removal” in section 5c .
Remove the washers (1), starter idle gear no. 1 (2)
And no. 2 (3).
Remove the starter idle gear no. 2 Bearing (4), shaft
(5) and washer (6).
Hold the starter clutch with the special tool an ...
Engine components removable with the
engine in place
Engine components which can be removed while the engine is installed on the
frame are as follows. For the installing
and removing procedures, refer to respective paragraphs describing each
component.
Center of engine
Item
Removal
Inspection
Installation
...