Kawasaki Ninja 300R Spotted in Pune; About to Launch

Reports about Kawasaki Ninja 300R launch in Inida were in vogue since it was unveiled last year. So now, finally, these reports get a ground of reality, when recently PowerDrift spotted the bike in Pune. There were rumors that Bajaj, which is looking after Kawasaki's Indian operations, might replace the existing Ninja 250R with 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300R, but we are expecting these two to be sold alongside. While Ninja 250R will continue to compete with Honda CBR250R and Hyosung GT250R, Ninja 300R will give competition to the upcoming KTM Duke 390 and its full faired sibling.

2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300R is powered by a 296cc, parallel twin, fuel injected engine with dual throttle valves, which belts out a maximum power output of a hefty 38bhp with a peak torque of 27Nm. Like Ninja 250R, 300R is also mated to a 6-speed gearbox. For safety purposes, Kawasaki also blessed this bike with optional ABS (anti-lock braking system). It uses 17-inch 10-spoke wheels with 110/70 R17 tyre at front and 140/70 R17 tyre at the rear. A 290mm disc up front and a 220mm disc at the rear do the duty at the bike to provide precise braking. Kawasaki bless this bike with a completely new instrument console, which is a good mix of analog tachometer and digital fuel gauge, two trip meters, a clock and an economy mode indicator, which all are combined in a LCD screen. The bike uses a new chassis and its 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. The bike looks a lot like Ninja 250R and adopt most of the design cues from its elder siblings.

A trusted source also informed us that Ninja 300R is being tested at Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), not just this, the bike has also been through the ARAI tests. Bajaj seems full prepared and so we can expect it anytime around May-June. The bike will be assembled at Bajaj's Chakan plant and as the bike will follow the CKD route, we are expecting a handsome price tag of around Rs. 3.25 lakh.

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Specifications

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Launch: May-June 2013 (Expected)

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Price: Rs. 3.25 lakh (Expected Ex-showroom Price)

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Engine

Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin

Displacement: 296cc

Bore x Stroke: 62.0 x 49.0mm

Compression ratio: 10.6:1

Cooling System: Liquid

Fuel Injection: DFI® with dual 32mm throttle bodies

Ignition: TCBI with digital advance

Transmission: Six-speed

Final drive: Chain

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Chassis

Frame Type: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

Wheelbase: 135mm

Rake / trail: 27 degrees / 94mm

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Dimensions

Overall length: 2014mm

Overall width: 714mm

Overall height: 1110mm

Seat height: 785mm

Curb weight: 172kg

Fuel capacity: 17 litres

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Suspension

Front suspension / wheel travel: 37mm hydraulic telescopic fork / 4.7 in.

Rear suspension / wheel travel: Uni-Trak® with 5-way adjustable preload / 5.2 in.

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Tyres

Front tire: 110/70-17

Rear tire: 140/70-17

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Brakes

Front brakes: Single 290mm petal-type disc with two-piston hydraulic caliper

Rear brakes: Single 220mm petal-type disc with two-piston hydraulic caliper

Kawasaki Ninja 300R Colors

Pearl Stardust White, Lime Green/Ebony, Ebony

Image Courtesy: PowerDrift