KAWASAKI'S entry-level Ninja is getting a boost as it becomes a Ninja 300 for 2013.
The Ninja 300 has a larger-displacement 296cc fuel-injected parallel twin engine with dual throttle valves. In terms of power the 300 will gain 7bhp with an output of 39bhp. As manufacturers are seemingly reinventing a class that was previously owned by 250cc two-strokes, despite being a four-stroke the Ninja 300 is getting close to their power figures as the old RG250 Gamma only did about 45bhp.
The new bike also features "advanced racing-derived technology" in the form of a slipper clutch and a back-torque limiter. A slipper clutch on a 300? How trick.
The 300 takes its styling cues from the Ninja family with the windscreen from the ZX-10R, dual headlights like the ZX-6R, and fairing and wheels reminiscent of the ZZR1400. The Ninja 300 will also be avaiable with ABS.
Key features from Kawasaki:
Uncontested performance!
- Fuel-injected parallel twin engine with dual throttle valves
- Increased displacement (296 cc) for power and torque exceeding the class
- Superior acceleration and top speed
Circuit-bred chassis performance
- High level of chassis stability from new frame
- Wider 140 mm rear tyre
High-quality ride feel
- Excellent chassis stability
- Low vibration
- Excellent heat management.
Reduced heat
- Changes for improved heat management mean less heat reaches the rider:
- Large openings in fairing
- Radiator fan cover
Available with latest-spec compact ABS unit
- Specifications on par with units used on our top-of-the-line supersport models
Advanced racing-derived technology
- F.C.C. Assist & Slipper Clutch offers light clutch actuation, sporty feel
- Race-style back-torque limiting function
Brilliant styling, directly related to larger Ninja and ZZR models
- Ninja ZX-10R-style “floating windscreen”
- Dual headlights (like Ninja ZX-6R)
- ZZR1400-style fairing and wheel design
- Sporty aluminium foot-pegs and complex silencer shape (like big Ninja models)
Modern instrumentation
- Analogue-style tachometer
- Multi-function LCD features include fuel gauge, dual trip meters, clock, Economical Riding Indicator
