Kawasaki Ninja 300

After years of unchallenged domination, the best-selling Ninja® 250R sportbike had finally begun to see competition from other manufacturers. Make no mistake, it still outperformed the challengers by a significant margin on the open road, but why simply outperform them, when you can totally dominate? The new 2013 Ninja 300 thoroughly dominates its lightweight sportbike competition on the performance front, and it also significantly ups the ante for refinement, ease of use and overall practicality. Thanks to a new digital fuel injection system, and a new F.C.C. clutch with assist and slipper functions, this new 300 is the best lightweight sportbike, by far, when it comes to overall performance and sporting capability.

The new Ninja 300 sportbike is powered by a larger 296cc liquid-cooled, parallel twin that's tuned to deliver smooth and predictable power around town, plus excellent high-rpm performance on the highway. This upgraded engine offers significantly more performance than the old 250, while its new digital fuel injection (DFI®) system provides improved cold starting, crisp throttle response and better fuel economy than last year's bike.

This new engine has nearly 50% of its parts upgraded from the previous model. In addition to its new long-stroke 296cc displacement, other engine upgrades include: new intake ports that taper from 1mm wider at the throttle body to .5mm wider at the valve seat, new 23.6mm intake valves that are 1mm larger than last year, a new cam chain that offers reduced friction, a revised 10.6:1 compression ratio that allows the use of regular gasoline and lowers operating temperatures, and new lighter pistons that feature a hard anodized coating for reduced friction and increased performance at all rpms.

 The underside of the pistons was also revised to more efficiently route cooling oil across their surface. Further highlighting changes for this model, it features new, lighter piston pins to further reduce reciprocating weight and help preserve a high redline, new shorter connecting rods to offset new longer crank throws, new sleeveless "open-deck" die-cast aluminum cylinders that are 800 grams lighter and feature a friction-reducing "T-treatment" plating. It also has new thicker crankshaft balancer webs to offset the new longer crank throws, new crank journal bearings made from a stronger alloy for increased durability, new crank cases that feature improved oil passages, a new large-volume 2.4 liter oil pan with cooling fins and more ground clearance than the previous model. Topping-off the changes, a new easy-to-access cartridge type spin-on oil filter helps simplify maintenance.

A revised six-speed transmission features thicker gears to help cope with the extra torque from the 300's new engine. The transmission also features Kawasaki's positive neutral finder to make finding neutral a cinch when stopped. This efficient engine and transmission help the Ninja 300 provide plenty of enjoyment from the initial learning curve, all the way through advanced sport riding, track days, and club racing.

Operating that transmission is now easier than ever, thanks to a new F.C.C. clutch with assist and slipper functions. This new clutch reduces lever effort by up to 25%, while increasing the clutch's ability to handle the extra torque generated by the 300's more powerful engine. The new clutch's slipper design also helps reduce rear wheel-hop that can be caused by aggressive downshifting.

The Ninja 300's extra "go" is complimented by the extra stopping power offered by its petal-type front and rear disc brakes which feature new longer-lasting brake pads offering a more progressive feel. Its 290mm front and 220mm rear brake rotors are gripped by powerful two-piston hydraulic calipers. Like all Kawasaki Ninjas, the new 300 is equipped with high-quality components and was tuned using feedback from professional riders at Atopolis raceway, to help ensure class-leading performance and an entertaining ride for even the most advanced riders.

The Ninja 250 was always known as one of the best handling sportbikes on the market. To uphold the family honor, the 2013 Ninja 300 features a new frame that uses new high-tensile steel main tubes that are 150% more rigid than the tubes in last year's model. Revised tube shapes and additional gusseting also help provide better longitudinal stiffness for better feel during extreme sport riding. Though the main frame is more rigid for better handling, not all rigidity is positive; that's why Kawasaki engineers designed new rubber front engine mounts that help make this model noticeably more smooth, despite the extra power produced by its new 296cc engine.

Front and rear suspension tuning has been adjusted to compliment the new, more-rigid frame. Softer spring rates provide a more comfortable ride on rough city streets, without compromising sport handling characteristics.

New bodywork inspired by the Ninja ZX™-10R superbike, provides cutting-edge styling, as well as effective heat management and superb aerodynamics. The Ninja 300 not only looks great, but also features a new floating windscreen design to help minimize buffeting and provide a smoother airflow around the rider's helmet.

The Ninja 300's all-new instrument panel features a large easy-to-read analog tachometer and a digital multifunction display with speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, and digital clock functions. The new instrument panel also features indicator lights, while the digital screen incorporates a handy economical riding indicator (ECO) that illuminates to alert riders when they are operating the Ninja 300 in a manner that will maximize fuel economy.

A natural riding position and comfortable ergonomics combine with lightweight handling and nimble response to deliver pure pleasure everywhere from city streets and highways, to twisty backroads and even racetracks. Contributing to this great handling package are the new full-size, 17-inch, 10-spoke wheels.

Lightweight and agile, the Ninja 300 delivers low ownership costs coupled with effortless class-leading performance!
An extensive range of Genuine Kawasaki Accessories are available through authorized Kawasaki dealers.

Youth movement

Our newest Ninja offers the style, performance and technology to overshadow all bikes in its class. Race inspired clutch technology plus genuine big bike looks and handling are underpinned by a powerful and hard pulling 296cc fuel-injected engine. Make your move and make it on a Ninja 300. Designed to overshadow all other bikes in its class, the new Ninja 300 offers increased performance and riding excitement, stunning new styling, and ride quality and comfort that eclipse the 250-class.

The all-new, most-powerul-in-class, Ninja 300 packs the style and personality of a litre-class superbike into a learner-legal package that is amazingly easy to ride. It is THE perfect entry level bike, delivering incredible fuel economy, Class-leading safety features and a low seat height for added confidence. Buy it because it’s practical. Own it because it’s awesome.

Stunning new Ninja 300 eclipses the competition

Whether referring to engine or chassis performance, or the latest available technology, the name “Ninja” implies the very best sporting performance that Kawasaki has to offer.

In the case of the all-new Ninja 300, it means a larger-displacement 296 cm3 engine with the power and torque to eclipse everything in its class, racetrack-level chassis stability, and race-derived clutch technology offering a supersport-style back-torque limiter and increased ride feel.

Reduced vibration and new heat management technology result in the high-quality ride feel and comfort level one would expect from a much larger machine.

With its large-volume bodywork, the Ninja 300 can easily be mistaken for a larger machine – an image reinforced by numerous styling cues from our flagship Ninja models. From its aggressive new dual headlights to its sharp, minimalist tail cowl, every surface of new Ninja was painstakingly sculpted to ensure a high level of fit and finish, impressive silhouette and undeniable Ninja presence.

Designed to outshine all other bikes in its class, the new Ninja 300 delivers increased performance and riding excitement, stunning new styling, and ride quality and comfort that exceed that of the 250-class.

Confidence-Inspiring Features
• Powerful, large-diameter, 290mm front petal disc brakes
• 37mm forks provide a controlled ride on a range of surfaces
• Uni-Trak rear suspension keeps the rear tyre planted

Class Leading Engine
• Large 296cm3 engine provides noticeably more power & torque
• Smooth parallel twin ensures low vibration and amazing reliability
• Dual throttle valve fuel-injection delivers sharp throttle response
• Quiet & efficient 2-into-1 stainless steel exhaust system

Sports Riding Performance
• Circuit-bred chassis design affords incredible cornering and stability
• Strong steel-tube diamond frame delivers precision handling Optional rear seat cowel
• Light action slipper clutch with back–torque limiting function
• Large 140mm tyre helps to increase straight-line stability

The Perfect Entry Level
• Torquey parallel twin-cylinder engine delivers smooth, usable power
• Lightweight, sharp-handling chassis provides excellent stability and control
• Efficient dual throttle valve fuel-injection affords incredible fuel economy
• Confidence-inspiring low seat height fits riders of almost any size or build

Ninja Style Attitude
• Sharp, sculpted bodywork has the looks and attitude of a purebred Ninja
• Painstaking attention to detail means a superb level of fit and finish quality
• Aggressive multi-reflector, dual headlights deliver excellent illumination
• High levels of rider feedback & comfort usually only found on larger motorcycles

Key Features

- Fuel Injected 4-stroke Parallel Twin engine with dual throttle valves

- Aggressive styling with big Ninja inspired dual headlights, floating windscreen, fairings and wheels

- Rigid Diamond Frame for high level chassis stability

- Wider 140mm rear tyre for increased straight line stability

- Assist and Slipper clutch with light lever actuation and race style back-torque limiting function

- Modern LCD instrumentation

- Large openings in fairing and new radiator fan cover directs engine heat away from the rider

 Features and Benefits

What's New
- 296cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin design offers far superior highway passing power and clearly dominant acceleration compared to other lightweight sportbikes
- New Digital Fuel Injection (DFI®) system uses dual 32mm throttle bodies and provides both improved fuel economy and cleaner emissions compared to last year's 250
- New F.C.C. clutch with assist and slipper functions provides more power handling capability with significantly less effort. Design also makes clutch easier to modulate and helps reduce the effect of back-torque to reduce wheel hop when downshifting
- New supersport bodywork takes its cues from the Ninja® ZX™-10R superbike and raises lightweight sportbike styling to the next level
- New frame uses high-tensile steel main tubes that are 150% more rigid and provide superior feel and agility compared to last year's 250
- New 10-spoke 17-inch wheels look great and the rear rim has grown ½" wider, allowing the use of a larger 140-section rear tire for 2013
- Revised six-speed transmission features a new roller-type shift drum for smoother actuation and stronger gears for maximum durability. It also offers wide selection of ratios to match varied riding conditions and its positive neutral finder makes it much easier to find neutral when stopped
- Kawasaki Air Management System (KAMS) uses a special deflector to channel hot air from the back of the radiator, so that it exits the bottom of the motorcycle, instead of being blown onto the rider
- Low 30.9-inch seat height and tapered seat boosts confidence for smaller riders

 New 296cc Engine
- Compact parallel-twin design offers good mass centralization for nimble handling
- Tuned to deliver smooth, step-free power with excellent mid-range and high-rpm power for effective highway performance
- New intake ports taper from 1mm wider at the throttle body to .5mm wider at the valve seats
- New 23.6mm intake valves are 1mm larger than last year
- New cam chain design reduces friction for increased power and efficiency
- Revised 10.6:1 compression ratio allows the use of regular 87-octane unleaded gasoline and helps reduce operating temperatures
- New lighter pistons reduce reciprocating weight and feature a hard anodized coating for reduced friction and increased performance at every rpm
- Revised piston bottoms efficiently route cooling oil across underside of piston
- New lighter piston pins reduce reciprocating weight and help preserve a high redline
- New shorter connecting rods offset new longer crank throws
- New sleeveless "open-deck" die-cast aluminum cylinders are 800 grams lighter and feature a friction-reducing "T-treatment" plating
- New thicker crankshaft balancer webs help offset the new longer crank throws
- New crank journal bearings are made from a stronger alloy for increased durability
- New crank cases feature improved oil passages
- New large-volume 2.4 liter oil pan features cooling fins and better ground clearance
- New easy-to-access cartridge type spin-on oil filter helps simplify maintenance

New Exhaust System
- New curved 2-into-1 header design contributes to the Ninja 300's low- and mid-range torque and smooth, step-free power curve
- New complex geometry silencer design offers modern styling and meets all regulations without compromising engine performance
- New large brushed-finish metal silencer guard boosts noise reduction and helps protect passenger from exhaust heat
- Meets strict Euro 3 emission standards with a single catalyzer in the collector section

Liquid Cooling with KAMS
- Kawasaki Air Management System (KAMS) uses a special deflector to redirect hot air from the radiator fan, so it exits the bottom of the motorcycle instead of being blown onto the rider
- Lightweight Denso radiator offers effective engine cooling with minimal space and weight
- Fan design uses a quiet-running motor that also saves space
- Fins on the lower side of the crankcase provide additional engine cooling

Six-speed Transmission with New F.C.C. Assist Clutch
- New F.C.C. clutch with assist and slipper functions is able to handle more power and requires significantly less lever effort to operate. Design also makes clutch easier to modulate and helps reduce the effect of back-torque to reduce wheel hop when downshifting
- Revised six-speed transmission features a new roller-type shift drum for smoother actuation and stronger gears for maximum durability. It also offers wide selection of ratios to match varied riding conditions and its positive neutral finder makes it much easier to find neutral when stopped
- Involute splines reduce friction and backlash between gears and shafts for easier gear meshing and smooth shifting under power

Digital Fuel Injection (DFI®)
- Dual 32mm Keihin throttle bodies and a digital ECU offer easy starting, superior throttle response, and help provide low fuel consumption
- DFI® makes the Ninja 300 cleaner and more fuel efficient than last year's 250, even though it now makes significantly more power

Petal-type Disc Brakes
- Large-diameter, 290mm front petal disc and a balanced action two-piston caliper offer excellent braking performance and a natural, direct feeling at the lever
- Two-piston caliper grips the rear 220mm petal disc

New Chassis
- New frame uses main pipes made from high-tensile steel tubing that is 150% more rigid than the tubes in the previous Ninja 250R's frame. The added rigidity provides much better chassis response and improved steering precision and feel
- Frame design and chassis tuning offer confidence-inspiring stability at both high and low speeds
- Beefy swingarm bracket contributes to the frame's rigidity and helps achieve an optimal balance of chassis stiffness
- Square-beam swingarm compliments the new frame's rigidity

Updated Suspension
- Revised tuning on the 37mm telescopic front fork compliments the new more rigid frame and wider rear tire
- Uni-Trak® rear suspension linkage helps provide predictable sportbike handling and good ride comfort
- Rear shock features 5-way adjustable preload to help manage rear ride height whether riding solo or with a passenger

New Wheels & Tires
- New 17-inch 10-spoke wheel design has a more modern appearance
- New 4" wide rear rim is ½" wider than the old Ninja 250R's back wheel
- New rear tire is 10mm wider than the tire on last year's Ninja 250R, for increased stability and improved sportbike handling
- New IRC RX-01R tires were developed in conjunction with Kawasaki and are a perfect match for the improved dynamics of the 2013 Ninja 300. They also provide better wet weather performance than the Ninja 250R's tires

New High-Tech Instrumentation
- Large easy-to-read analog tachometer
- Multifunction digital display features an easy-to-read speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, digital clock and warning lights
- Economical riding indicator (ECO) illuminates to let the rider know when they are operating the Ninja 300 in a manner that will maximize fuel economy

New Aerodynamic Bodywork
- All-New bodywork features styling inspired by the Ninja ZX-10R superbike
- New floating windscreen design helps reduce turbulence and rider fatigue
- Aggressive dual-lamp headlight design, minimalist tail section and separate seats further enhance the aggressive visual impact
- Two helmet holders conveniently located under the rear seat
- New two-stage under-seat storage compartment can hold a U-lock or similar device and is hinged for easy access to the tool kit located beneath the storage tray
- Two hooks under the tail, plus two behind the rear passenger pegs provide anchor points for securing items to the rear of the bike

Ergonomics
- New rider's seat design is narrower near its front section, making it easier for riders to reach the ground
- New passenger seat features a flatter design which makes it easier to secure cargo or soft luggage
- Slightly forward-slanting seat and wide, slightly raised handlebars give the Ninja 300 a naturally comfortable riding position

New Genuine Kawasaki Accessories
- All accessories designed and engineered by Kawasaki
- New Color Matched Seat Cowl is factory designed with integrated styling cues and molded pad perfectly color matched to your Ninja 300
- New Tank Bag and Soft Top Case custom designed tank bag made exclusively for the Ninja 300. Can be installed or removed quickly, multiple storage areas for your gear expandable for carrying larger items
- New "Tall" Windscreen factory designed for easy installation 3" taller bubble design adds wind protection. Features an optically correct 3-D curvature
- New Fuel Tank Pad features matching graphics and helps protect the paint on the fuel tank. A touch of personalization to enhance its sportbike styling
- New Engine Guards factory designed for easy installation helps reduce the possibility of bodywork damage in case of tip over