Honda Review

Kawasaki Ninja 300 Review

Kawasaki Ninja 300 Review,Price,Colors and Models, Facts and Pictures

Kawasaki surprised us with the Ninja 250 at the back end of 2008. We knew the model existed in other markets, and even that it was the bestselling Kawasaki sports bike in the United States, but the 250 class in the UK had died a death decades before, when you could no longer stick some L-plates on an RD250 and howl away in a cloud of two-stroke, Kenny Roberts rep anorak flapping in the wind.
The Ninja, though, did very well, in part because there was almost nothing else in this sector, so even though demand was low it still grabbed all the sales. It also fed a need for small but stylish bikes that provide useful and low-cost everyday transport with decent quality, a proper dealer network and trusted badge.

2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 Picture

The class has attracted more offerings since, with Honda joining in and Suzuki just about to, while Daelim and Hyosung have some decent 250s, and all these bikes are selling.
So what Kawasaki has done for 2013 has surprised us again: the Ninja 250 has become the Ninja 300. The engine changes are substantial and include a new, all-aluminium block, new head, lighter pistons and even new crankcases. A little oddly, Kawasaki has also fitted a back-torque-limiting slipper clutch, usually associated with high-end sports bikes, claiming this helps novice riders who change down clumsily by preventing rear-wheel lock-up and skip. In fact this is a slip-assist clutch that also results in a lighter lever action, a lot more useful on this kind of bike.

new Kawasaki Ninja 300 Sport Picture

Kawasaki Ninja 300s Power is up to 39bhp from 33bhp, and the torque is increased across the rev range. This makes a big difference to the bike as an everyday, all-round motorcycle. I have tested 250s before with a full range of duties, and while they are fine in urban use, for longer trips they can be inadequate, especially when conditions conspire against them such as a long motorway hill with a headwind. Then you need to drop down a gear or two and rev hard, and it gets tiring trying to maintain a normal dual-carriageway speed.
The Kawasaki Ninjas extra 20 per cent makes all the difference. The bike will cruise along with faster motorway traffic regardless of incline, making distance riding far more relaxed. If you fancy a weekend break a few hundred miles away then the little Ninja will take you there without turning it into an endurance test.
Comfort is not quite up to that sort of thing but it’s not too bad, so you won’t need medical attention when you arrive.

Black Kawasaki Ninja 300 Picture

The new fairing keeps a lot of the slipstream away from you lower down too. It is unmissable in Kawasaki’s Molly Green, but there is a black alternative if you are less extrovert.
The motor is very smooth, even spinning at more than 1,000rpm for every 10mph, but not as economical as I expected, given the exceptional economy of the 250. Used hard, it returns 52mpg, while the “economy” indicator will stay on below 8,000rpm with small throttle openings, which lets you cruise at 72mph maximum. Even mixing that with gentle acceleration gives you only 67mpg, which is almost identical to our long-term Suzuki V-Strom 650. A BMW G650GS or Honda NC700 will better that, so if small capacity is a sacrifice you are making to save on fuel, there is no need – you can do better with an entirely different choice of bike.

White Kawasaki Ninja 300 bike Picture

Kawasaki Ninja 300 Price: The list price is not especially persuasive either. The NC700S is £5,450, while the Ninja is only £250 cheaper with ABS (which the Honda has as standard). The BMW is £1,000 more so less of a direct competitor, but the Ninja is by far the costliest bike in its immediate class.
The Honda is just too dull for many considering the Ninja, though, and the Kawasaki is certainly more agile. But the brakes demand a lot of lever pressure, and the suspension gets unsettled at speed on bumpy surfaces. Generally it is good to chuck around – and still has the small-bike fun factor of trying to keep the engine on the boil and maintain momentum as you charge about.
Kawasaki Ninja 300 Review--THE FACTS
Kawasaki Ninja 300
Price/on sale: £4,799 (£5,199 with ABS)/ now
Power/torque: 39bhp @ 11,000rpm/20lb ft @ 10,000rpm
Top speed: 110mph (est)
Fuel tank/range: 3.7 gallons/220 miles
Verdict: The point of the 250 class is low purchase price and good economy, and the Kawasaki seems to be edging itself away from both of these factors. You would choose it as the only one truly capable of all-round duties, but if that is the motive, why not get a Honda NC700S instead?
Telegraph rating: Three out of five stars
Kawasaki Ninja 300 Review ~RIVALS -Competitors
Honda NC700S, £5,450
Not an obvious rival in terms of capacity or type, but close on price and beats the Ninja on economy. The Honda also offers much stronger, more relaxed performance than the Kawasaki, and is more practical too.

Honda CBR250R

Honda CBR250R, £3,950 (£4,100 with ABS)
Ahead by quite a margin on price: £900 is nearly 25 per cent cheaper. Not as fast or as capable at long distance, but neither will bother many riders in this sector. Slightly better on economy, though not as exciting to ride.
Daelim VJF250, £2,999
A very tempting price even if the brand is unfamiliar, especially when you realise this is solid and well made with decent performance. Good looks and remarkably free of quirks. The canny budget buy in the class.