Why does the Kawasaki Ninja twin-cylinder make noise when shifting gears while moving but not when idling?
2 Answers
The main reasons why the Kawasaki Ninja twin-cylinder makes noise when shifting gears while moving but not when idling are as follows: Shifting into reverse before coming to a complete stop: If the vehicle hasn't completely stopped before shifting into reverse, the tremendous force can damage the planetary gear set or even destroy the entire transmission. Stomping the throttle directly to the floor: Automatic transmission programming evaluates the driver's power needs based on factors like vehicle speed, load, and throttle position to adjust to different gears. To prevent frequent gear shifting, the programming intentionally incorporates slight delays - meaning the transmission won't immediately upshift when sufficient power is available, nor will it immediately downshift when slightly lacking power.
I've encountered a similar situation before - my motorcycle made strange noises while in gear but ran smoothly in neutral. It's most likely a drive chain issue. If the chain is too loose, it will whip and hit the chain guard during acceleration, producing a 'clanking' sound. Lack of lubrication can also cause metal grinding noises. First, check if the chain slack exceeds 30mm - from my experience, chains should be replaced when stretched beyond 3%. Don't forget to inspect the front and rear sprockets for hook-shaped wear resembling shark teeth, as this can cause poor chain engagement. When helping a friend repair his bike, I discovered that aftermarket replacement sprockets were the culprit behind the noise. Here's a small tip: don't apply chain lubricant too thickly, as it can attract sand and grit, actually accelerating wear.
