Kawasaki Ninja 300 coming soon

Kawasaki’s Ninja 300 to turn up the heat this summer.

Kawasaki and Bajaj are all set to launch their exciting Ninja 300 sportsbike in a few days from now, on April 10, 2013. The latest Ninja for India will replace the outgoing 250cc model and also shows off revised styling. The 300 now comes with ZX-10R inspired dual headlamps, a floating visor, revised instruments, larger fairing vents and a radiator fan cowl to dissipate heat effectively and away from its rider.  

The Ninja 300 houses a four-stroke, parallel-twin and liquid-cooled, 296cc engine. Fuel injection is standard, with new throttle valves working to improve mid range grunt, and engine response. The latest Ninja outputs 39bhp at 11,000rpm, with a peak torque figure of 2.8kgm made available at 10,000rpm. And that’s not all; Kawasaki has spent much time perfecting the 300 engine, including flatter piston crowns than seen on the earlier bike, sleeveless die-cast cylinders and a cylinder that accommodates 7.8mm longer stroke. Both intake ports are wider, and seat larger diameter valves. Power is directed to the rear tyre via a 6-speed gearbox, with aggressive downshifting now supported by a slipper clutch system, usually only found on larger capacity motorcycles.

A rigid, diamond type, steel frame holds the new Ninja 300 together, along with a pair of 37mm telescopic front forks and a linked monoshock at the rear. Braking is via Nissin discs front (290mm) and rear (220mm).

Kawasaki and Bajaj are yet to disclose pricing for the Ninja 300, but expect this to be close to the current Ninja 250R, with no more than a small premium, the new bike shall easily justify thanks to its extensive improvements.  

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Kawasaki Z250 revealed

Kawasaki launches its Z1000-inspired 250cc motorcycle in the Indonesian market.

Kawasaki has launched a downsized version of its Z1000 and Z800-inspired Z250 in Indonesia. Being part of the Z series, this 250 gets similar styling to its larger displacement stable mates. The Z250 is a naked sports bike with minimal body panels. It uses the same digital speedometer and analogue tachometer as seen on the 2013 Ninja 250R, only this time using a white dial for the tachometer. The engine and five-spoke alloy wheels have been given an all-black look just like the Ninja 250R.

 

The Z250 will house the same engine as the 2013 Ninja 250R, a four-stroke, 249cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled and fuel-injected engine mated to a six-speed gearbox. Changes in power and torque, if any, are yet to be revealed.

 

The Z250 will also deploy the same frame, telescopic fork front suspension and rear monoshock absorber as seen on the Ninja 250R. The Z250 being a naked sports bike, ergonomics have been altered giving the bike a more upright riding position, with wider and 35 degree higher handlebars. Kawasaki have also gone ahead with a 29 degree change in rake for better handling prowess while riding around town and also claim to be 4kg lighter than the Ninja 250R.

 

There is no clear indication as to when the Z250 will come to Indian shores, but is sure to create waves with Indian bikers with its sharp styling and smooth engine. With the Kawasaki Ninja 250R and Honda CBR250R already here and bikes like the Bajaj Pulsar 375 and KTM 390 Duke coming up this year, the Z250 makes perfect sense for a market like India. 

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