Kawasaki Ninja 300: Road Test Review

Design and Quality

It’s a well-established fact that this is a 12-year-old design. But even then, the styling looks sporty and aggressive thanks to the chiselled front-end, layered fairing, and sleek tail section.

However, what comes across as an epitome of afterthought is the chunky grab rail. It is not well designed and doesn’t go with the overall design philosophy of the Ninja 300, sticking out like a sore thumb.

That said, the quality levels are top-notch. Right from the paint finish to the fitment of panels and even the switchgear, everything feels well finished.

Ergonomics and Comfort

Coming to its ergonomics, getting both your feet flat on the ground is not an issue. This is courtesy of the low 780mm seat height and the narrow midsection of the motorcycle. Once on the motorcycle, it is surprisingly comfortable because of the raised handlebar. However, the footpegs are slightly rear-set and raised, offering a sporty rider's triangle.

But if you wish to take it on a race track, you can just move behind on the seat, tuck in, and take corners with ease.

Performance and Handling

Powering the Ninja 300 is a 296cc, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine that makes around 39bhp and 26Nm of peak torque. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox. Now, this engine makes most of its power higher in the rev range, so it's a high-revving motor in that sense. But how does it translate into the real world?

The Ninja 300’s engine continues to be one of its strongest highlights, courtesy of its impeccable refinement and rev-happy nature. The parallel-twin motor feels smooth across the rev range with barely any vibrations creeping in, and its rev-happy nature makes it an absolute delight for spirited riding. Sure, the engine could do with a bit more low-end grunt for easier city commutes, but it makes up for a punchy mid-range and an engaging top end. In fact, the motor comes into its own around 6,000rpm and pulls cleanly all the way to its 13,000rpm redline.

The induction sound, too, is pleasing to the ears, and the exhaust note adds to the overall aural symphony. Apart from the mild buzz at around 100kmph, there’s little to complain about. Meanwhile, the six-speed gearbox offers slick, positive shifts, aided by a light and easy clutch action.

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 continues to impress with its well-rounded handling package, making it a friendly yet engaging motorcycle. It tips into corners with ease and changes direction effortlessly, whether slicing through city traffic or executing quick lane changes on the highway. Out on winding roads, the bike feels planted and confidence-inspiring, holding its line effortlessly.

Kawasaki has also struck a good balance between sporty dynamics and comfort. The suspension setup absorbs bumps, potholes, and expansion joints with notable composure, without feeling overly soft or wallowy at higher speeds. The only chink in its armour is the budget tyres. While the grip levels in the dry are good, the feedback and confidence take a noticeable hit in the wet.

Braking performance, on the other hand, is adequate but leaves room for improvement. The front brake is progressive but lacks a sharp initial bite, demanding a firmer pull during panic braking. The rear brake, meanwhile, feels predictable and complements the front brake to effectively stop the motorcycle.

Features and Technology

Feature-wise, Kawasaki has resorted to penny-pinching since this bike barely gets anything, especially when compared with rivals. The competition offers features like LED lighting, TFT display, traction control, cornering ABS, Bluetooth connectivity, and more. The Ninja 300 doesn't get any of it. Kawasaki has only equipped it with halogen projector headlamps and an archaic-looking semi-digital instrument cluster. Heck, it doesn’t even get a gear-position indicator.

Fuel Efficiency

In Bikewale’s city test, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 returned a fuel economy of 29.87kmpl. With a fuel tank capacity of 17 litres, you can easily expect a range of over 500km on a full tank. The highway mileage could be higher or lower, depending on your riding style.

Conclusion

In isolation, the Ninja 300 is quite a likeable motorcycle when it comes to engine performance, refinement, and quality levels. Even the ride and handling package is sorted. However, it does fall short significantly in two areas: Braking and Features. Now, you can improve its braking performance by opting for sintered brake pads or steel braided lines.

But there’s no getting around the lack of features. It just feels dated in that sense. So, who should buy this bike? Well, someone who doesn’t care about modern features, isn’t on a budget, and wants a well-sorted twin-cylinder bike that feels right at home in the city and out on the highway. Then the Ninja 300 makes sense.

But if you prioritise features and more performance, then you will have to look elsewhere.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi