Kawasaki recently launched the 2024 version of the Ninja 300 in India at Rs 3.43 lakh, ex-showroom. The Ninja 300 is over a decade old in India and Kawasaki refuses to pull the plug on it. However, it is the most affordable twin-cylinder engine equipped bike in the country. Here are the top highlights of the motorcycle.
Design
The design of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 has remained the same for years. It has a spilt headlight setup, large fairing with few cuts and creases and a relatively small tail section. In today’s times, the sight of a Ninja 300 takes you back in time and that may be a good thing for some who want a sportsbike that isn’t modern-looking. For 2024, the Ninja 300 gets new colours- Candy Lime Green and Metallic Moondust Grey. While these colours look fresh there is no getting away from the fact that the Ninja 300’s design has grown long in the tooth. And let's not even look at the ugly grab rail and saree guard that the bike ships with.
Features
Kawasaki hasn’t made any additions to the Ninja 300’s features list and going by today’s standards, it is quite basic. It gets halogen lights all around and a part analouge, part digital instrument cluster. Fans of old sportbikes will love the sight of the big, analouge tachometer that occupies pride of place. However, there is no Bluetooth connectivity, traction control, etc. that you get on some modern sports bikes in this class.
Engine
The Ninja 300 is powered by a 296cc, parallel-twin engine that produces 38.88bhp and 26.1Nm of peak torque. It is paired to a six-speed gearbox with an assist and slipper clutch. The engine is a tried and tested unit and is known for its refinement, performance and flexibility. It deals with congested city traffic as easily as it chews kilometers on the highway.
Hardware
Under the bodywork, the Ninja 300 has a tubular diamond type frame that is suspended by a telescopic fork and a monoshock. The bike rides on 17-inch wheels and has a disc brake at the front and rear. The bike tips the scales at 179kg.
Competition
At Rs 3.43 lakh, ex-showroom, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 goes up against the KTM RC 390 which is priced at 3.16 lakh. For a little extra, the Ninja 300 brings the refinement of a parallel-twin engine to the table. That said, it is left in the dust by the KTM when you consider features.
