Kawasaki Ninja 300 Review

Welcome to the Kawasaki Ninja 300 review to be released in late 2012. Well, it’s more a preview – just an interim post until all the release details arrive. It is inevitable that any number of people I know will buy this new model and I will post a full ride  review when I get the chance.

In terms of looks the Ninja 300 is up to date and looking good.  However there are others which a year or two older that are even better, take the Aprilia RS4 for example. The Ninja does not push any styling boundaries so it is clearly aimed at the main stream and that happens to be where most purchasers are. It is much nicer than the Ninja 250R, like the sports version of a Toyota Corolla.

Look under the stylish new fairing and an updated/strengthened steel 250R Ninja frame – easy to produce by now but since you are paying extra we demand an alloy frame for the price. Sorry Kawasaki but it’s still not good enough. For potential owners, just don’t look at the rear though – the swing arm looks cheap, like ladder rather than a real sports bike. 

Since many will choose the Ninja 300 for it’s leading power output compared to the other mainly single and twin cylinder competition it’s looking very good, certainly a match for the best selling Honda CBR250R and now CBR300R- if the price is right. 

In the end for me, a bored out 250cc engine and new fairing panels is still not good enough for the expected $7500 price tag. Knowing what Kawasaki did with the last Ninja 250R I don’t think much of an improvement on a value for money basis. Thankfully the fuel injected engine will keep the new owner happy for the next few years. I did not expect the engine power to be much higher as it is clearly designed to meet the LAMS legislated formula – being the only 300cc for now it will probably be one of the quickest 300cc learner/commuter motorcycle.

I do like what Kawaski have done to design of the ‘new’ Ninja 300 and so will many new owners and rave about having a great new motorcycle to choose from. Seriously it looks good bbut not the best in class thanks to the 2014 KTM’s.  I’m just not completely happy with some of the details underneath the fairing which are underdone, purely when you take price into consideration. I feel so strongly about value for money in an economically challenged world and ask Kawasaki to STOP ripping us off and give us an alloy frame and a proper rear swing arm. Sure the Ninja 300 is still an entry level motorcycle but do it right and you’ll have bloggers raving about the new bike and not be conditional like this preview.