KAWASAKI has just unveiled it's third surprise new sub-500cc bike for 2015, the Z300.
A naked version of the Ninja 300 using the same tubular steel chassis and 296cc parallel-twin engine, it makes a claimed 39hp and 19.9lbft of torque.
The engine shares identical specifications with the Ninja 300's revvy motor, while Kawasaki says the styling is inspired by bigger machines in the Z range.
The wheels, brakes and suspension components are also the same as the Ninja 300's.
That means it's got 37mm forks, a preload adjustable shock and a single 290mm petal-style front brake disc with a twin-piston caliper.
Straight handlebars replace the Ninja's clip-ons for a more relaxed riding position.
Visordown predicted the arrival of the Z300 back in January 2013, when the Z250 – a smaller-bore version of the same bike – was unveiled for Asian markets.
The Z300 was unveiled today at the Eicma Milan motorcycle show alongside Kawasaki's two surprise new single-cylinder offerings, the Ninja 250SL and Z250SL.
The Z300 has a kerb weight of 168kg or 170kg with optional ABS.
It's expected to cost around £5,000 and comes in green and metallic black or grey and metallic black.
Here are the full specifications from Kawasaki's release:
| ENGINE | ER300AFF/BFF |
Type Displacement Bore and Stroke Compression ratio Valve system Fuel system Ignition Starting Lubrication | Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Parallel Twin 296 cm3 62.0 x 49.0 mm 10.6:1 DOHC, 8 valves Fuel injection: φ32 mm x 2, with dual throttle valves Digital Electric Forced lubrication, wet sump |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
Transmission Final drive Primary reduction ratio Gear ratios: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Final reduction ratio Clutch | 6-speed, return Chain 3.087 (71/23) 2.714 (38/14) 1.789 (34/19) 1.409 (31/22) 1.160 (29/25) 1.000 (27/27) 0.857 (24/28) 3.000 (42/14) Wet multi-disc, manual |
| FRAME | |
Type Wheel travel: front rear Tyre: front rear Caster (rake) Trail Steering angle (left/right) | Tube diamond, steel 120 mm 132 mm 110/70-17M/C 54S 140/70-17M/C 66S 26o 82 mm 35o / 35o |
| SUSPENSION | ER300AFF/BFF |
Front: Rear: | φ37 mm telescopic fork Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and adjustable preload |
| BRAKES | |
Front: Type Caliper Rear: Type Caliper | Single φ290 mm petal disc Single balanced actuation dual-piston Single φ220 mm petal disc Dual-piston |
| DIMENSIONS | |
Overall length Overall width Overall height Wheelbase Ground clearance Seat height Curb mass Fuel capacity | 2,015 mm 750 mm 1,025 mm 1,405 mm 145 mm 785 mm 168 kg (ER300A) 170 kg (ER300B) 17 litres |
| PERFORMANCE | |
Maximum power Maximum torque | 29.0 kW {39 PS} / 11,000 min-1 (EUR) 27.0 Nm {2.8 kgm} / 10,000 min-1 (EUR) |
