2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300

Europe won’t be getting the updated Kawasaki Ninja 250R that was announced last month. Or rather, we will, but an increase in engine capacity from 249 cc to 296 cc (thanks to a longer stroke) means that the version sold here will be known as the Ninja 300.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 (2013) Front Side 1Kawasaki Ninja 300 (2013) Front Side 2

That motor remains a parallel twin, with four valves per cylinder, fuel injection and dual throttle valves. Producing 38 bhp (29 kW / 39 PS) and 27 Nm (20 lb/ft) of peak torque, it comes connected to a six-speed transmission.

However, apart from the engine and a slightly wider 140 mm section rear tyre, the Ninja 300 is virtually identical to the 250R. The new, more rigid steel frame is shared between the two bikes, as is the sharply-styled bodywork which has been designed to dissipate heat away from the rider.

Braking is taken care of by petal discs front and rear and, for the first time, an anti-lock system will be available. Developed by Nissin, it’s claimed to feature the world’s smallest motorcycle ABS unit. Certainly, its fitment hardly makes the bike any heavier, as curb weight rises by just 2 kg (4 lbs) to 174 kg (383 lbs).

UK prices for the Ninja 300 have yet to be confirmed, but its arrival poses one question: will Honda now be tempted to increase the engine displacement of the rival CBR250R?

Kawasaki Ninja 300 (2013) Rear SideKawasaki Ninja 300 (2013) Riding 1

Kawasaki Ninja 300 (2013) Riding 2Kawasaki Ninja 300 (2013) Riding 3

Kawasaki Ninja 300 (2013) Riding 4Kawasaki Ninja 300 (2013) Front Side 3

Related posts:
2013 Kawasaki Z800
2013 Ninja 250R revealed
Honda CBR250R first look

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more