Single test: Kawasaki Ninja 300

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Single test: Kawasaki Ninja 300
Kawasaki

motorcycles

Single test: Kawasaki Ninja 300

Driving report: Kawasaki Ninja 300
More bite: the new Kawasaki Ninja 300 in the test

More displacement is the trend at Kawasaki for the 2013 model year. Six percent went to the new ZX-6R, a little more to the Ninja 250 R, which is now called the Kawasaki Ninja 300.

Peter Mayer

09/13/2012

As wrote MOTORRAD 15 months ago when testing the Kawasaki Ninja 250 R: If you are into performance and high-revving engines in this segment, you cannot ignore the little Ninja. And now? Instead of 9,000 revolutions, the motor pushes ahead noticeably from 6,000 revs, shortly afterwards already delivers enough pressure for the smooth swing swing and only requires the five-digit range for the intermediate sprint. What’s the matter? At 7.8 millimeters. A much longer stroke – with the bore unchanged – transforms the previous 250 twin into the 300 version.

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Driving report: Kawasaki Ninja 300
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But one after the other. It wrote a small success story, the Kawasaki Ninja 250 R. When it was launched on the market in 2008, still laughed at by some supersport freaks as a bonsai racer, the little speedster quickly found an unexpectedly large fan base. For three years in a row it was among the 50 best-selling motorcycles in Germany. It was not until the competition of the single-cylinder, but ABS-equipped Honda CBR 250 R that Kawa lost its chief position in this department last year.

Complete acidification of the Ninja 250 R


Single test: Kawasaki Ninja 300


Kawasaki

New cockpit: even if the performance curve became fuller. For sprints also needs the 300 rpm. The limit: 13,000 rpm.

And now? The said displacement surcharge is only the tip of a whole series of changes. Whether six horsepower more peak power, the anti-hopping clutch, the wider rear tire or the significantly more angular styled fairing with airier rear – the Ninja has been completely redone.

The focus is of course on the revamped engine. From 20 percent more displacement, the parallel twin with 39 instead of 33 hp and 27 instead of 22 Newton meters generates almost exactly 20 percent more peak power and maximum torque. And one can say: so much more driving fun. Because the little motor continues to purr like a model airplane unit, can be squeezed out to your heart’s content.

Overtake? Shift down two gears until just before you turn off the limiter and you’re over. Waving aggressively through the hairpin bends, taking the straight in the intermediate sprint? Dito. Thanks to the lighter pistons, the twin still rotates up to 13,000 rpm (Ninja 250 R: 13,250 rpm), hardly vibrates, encourages speed orgies and is reminiscent of its smaller predecessor. The difference: the big one can also be different. Let the engine pull out of the curves (goes from 6000 / min), accelerate quickly (goes from 8000 / min) and conserve the momentum nicely dosed (goes between 6000 / min and 9000 / min). That brings unprecedented calm. For this kind of lively country road ride, the fifth and sixth gear are easily enough.

Mind you: We are talking about 39 hp. A record on the home route cannot be set with it. Against the background of this little reactive engine, the new anti-hopping clutch and its servo device, which turns pulling the lever into a one-finger exercise, almost become a luxury item. Nevertheless, it is nice to have. And the markedly stable running gear is also fun, which remains astonishingly manoeuvrable in the bends despite at least 174 kilograms of live weight and wider 140 mm rear tires.

The little ninja has grown up


Single test: Kawasaki Ninja 300


Kawasaki

The cladding, tank, wheels, rear and muffler visually distinguish the new from the old. The price of the Ninja 300 has not yet been determined.

Only at the rear could the strut work more comfortably – despite the maximum reduction in spring preload – and the woody IRC tires only provide limited feedback. And while we’re grumbling: The rear-view mirrors could be a bit more expansive and the brakes a bit more snappy. The latter is excused. Because for the first time all 300 series imported to Germany will be equipped with ABS. Another proof that the little ninja has grown up – it became visually and technically more attractive with the upgrade anyway.

That is new


Single test: Kawasaki Ninja 300


Kawasaki

Adam Riese: 20 percent more displacement results in 20 percent more power. The sleek twin develops 39 hp.

Engine:
Displacement increased (from 249 to 296 cm³)
Extended stroke (from 41.2 to 49 mm)
Peak power increased (from 33 to 39 hp)
Inlet valves larger (by 1 mm)
Compression reduced (from 11.6 to 10.6: 1) Throttle valve diameter increased (from 28 / 35.5 mm to 32 / 40.2 mm)
Pistons shorter (7.5 mm) and lighter (4.6 g)
Cylinder lighter (600 g)
Engine oil volume increased (from 1.7 to 2.4 l)
Coupling with servo and anti-hopping function

Landing gear:
Wider rear tires (140 instead of 130)
Wheels designed more filigree
Footpegs in supersport design (without rubber pad)

Others:
ABS as standard
New design of cladding, instruments, tank, silencer
The seat is slimmer in the front area

Technical specifications

Engine:
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, Ø 32 mm, regulated catalytic converter, alternator 322 W, battery 12 V / 8 Ah, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain, secondary ratio 42:14.
Bore x stroke 62.0 x 49.0 mm
Cubic capacity 296 cm3
Compression ratio 10.6: 1
Rated output 29.0 kW (39 hp) at 11,000 rpm
Max. Torque 27 Nm at 10,000 rpm

Landing gear:
Bridge frame made of steel, telescopic fork, Ø 37 mm, two-arm swing arm made of steel, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, front disc brake, Ø 290 mm, double-piston floating caliper, rear disc brake, Ø 220 mm, double-piston floating caliper, ABS.
Cast aluminum wheels 2.75 x 17; 4.00 x 17
Tires 110/70 ZR 17; 140/70 ZR 17

mass and weight:
Wheelbase 1405 mm, steering head angle 63.0 degrees, caster 93 mm, spring travel f / r 120/130 mm, seat height 785 mm, empty weight 174 kg, tank capacity 17.0 liters.
Warranty two years
Colors green, black
Price not specified

Single test: Kawasaki Ninja 300

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