Kawasaki Ninja 300 priced at $4,799

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The Kawasaki Ninja 300 will start at $4,799 without ABS and go up to $5,499 with ABS. Over the old 250, power grows from 31 to 39bhp and torque from 16 to 20lb/ft. There’s also ABS and even a slipper clutch, so not only will this new bike be faster, but it’ll be safer and easier to ride too.

  • aristurtle

    Man, what is with the enormous price premium for ABS everywhere?

    • Scott-jay

      Why is ABS for a KZ priced at $700 on the 300cc compared to $1000 on their 600cc?

      • Scott-jay

        If gosh-darn ‘motorcycle industry’ had vision or gave-shit about the customer, they’d give it away.

        • Pete

          How do you figure that?

          • Scott-jay

            Never been good with numbers.
            Mfg costs dollars, just like advertising. KZ’s price structure seems to confirm its marketed/priced as bling, not bits.
            Entry-bikes with ABS at base price might result in more folks riding (HFL’s mission on earth).
            IMO, most riders have crashed upon locking a brake, at least once.
            ABS could be standard on most types motorcycles. Rider’s options: switch to give ‘off’ function, or no ABS equipment.

  • Matt

    Honda’s 2012 CBR250R is priced at $4099 and $4599 with ABS. Pricing for 2013 models hasn’t been released yet.

    • wwalkersd

      Yeah, really. $700 more for 50cc, a second cylinder, and green paint? Ninja 250R is $4499 on the Kwak web site (presumably 2013 pricing, since the 300 is shown there).

  • http://twitter.com/metabomber Jesse

    Good looking bike, with nice features for anyone. This is going to take a bite out of some of the CBR250 sales.

    • http://rider49er.blogspot.com Mark D [EX500]

      Just adding FI would have made the two bikes more comparable, but all that extra power really shifts the calculus.

  • http://www.ninja250blog.com R.Sallee (Ninja 250)

    Goddamn. I’d really like this bike. Or I really wish this had been around four years ago when I bought my 250.

    • aristurtle

      It has the same 1986 frame geometry, damper rod forks, and mediocre rear shock that our current Ninja 250s have, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on too much.

      I sure am glad that they’re finally ditching the carburetors, though. Hopefully they smoothed out the ignition timing while they were at it.

      • http://www.ninja250blog.com R.Sallee (Ninja 250)

        EFI + 25% horsepower is enough to make me jealous.

        • http://www.postpixel.com.au mugget

          Haha, if you’re excited about an 8hp increase you ought to move to a big bike. You can get that (probably more), anytime with an exhaust and good tune!

  • SamuraiMark

    Canuck-ian pricing still TBA on the new 300. The competizione (MSRP):

    CBR250R $4,599CAD
    CBR250RA $4,999CAD

  • John

    The problem I see with these bikes is that they give exactly the wrong idea, that motorcycling is all about crouching over and going as fast as you can, which is exactly how a lot of beginners get injured or killed.

    What’s wrong with a really great sport-tourer/city commuter with sexy looks, but a comfortable, sane riding ergo? I’d be interested in this, for instance, if it were a Versys 300 twin or a KLR300 twin.

    • aristurtle

      On the contrary, the Ninja 250′s ergo is great, and if you try a racing tuck you will actually be fairly uncomfortable. The bars are high and the pegs are just about centered directly beneath the seat. Compare this bike’s picture to the picture of the new ZX-6R on the front page, paying particular attention to the handlebars, footpegs, and seat height.

      That’s really the brilliant part about this thing; it looks almost identical to a new 636 at a glance, but it’s actually a whole different bike.

    • Mike in NYC

      I went to the Times Square event and sat on the bikes, and I thought the 300 felt pretty comfortable.

    • NewOldSchool

      No one dreams of being reasonable and utilitarian, especially the late teen to mid 20′s market the thing is aimed at.

    • Toby

      John: try one first. I’m 6’0, 180 and the CBR250 is more comfortable long-distance than my old V-Strom 650. Rode the length of Thailand and back on questionable roads and nary a wrist cramp or monkey-butt.

  • richard gozinya

    Buying new is for suckers. Why anybody would buy a new entry level motorcycle for the same price as a low mileage SV650 is completely beyond my understanding.

    • Matt

      The niceness of fuel injection, the safety of ABS, the savings of longer service intervals, not thinking about what the previous owner(s) did or didn’t do, and the warranty.

      • richard gozinya

        In the case of the SV650, it had fuel injection for most of its life, several years ABS was available, basic maintenance every 4k miles or so. Which is easily doable by yourself unless wrenches and grease scare you.

    • http://www.facebook.com/beastincarnate Ben W

      Availability. Peace of mind. Desire to start smaller.

    • John2

      It’s not my own way, but some folks like the easy payment plans and warranty. Borrowing money is for suckers, too, but I’m one of those.

    • NewOldSchool

      I’m right there with you rich g. but it’s what makes the world go round so good for those that do.

      It surprises me how many riders, even competent ones, have no clue what goes on under those shiny plastics. I never bring my bikes to the shop unless whatever I need done requires a special tool I don’t have or would be cost prohibitive to do on my own.

  • John

    IOW, I wouldn’t want to be a trailer on a 2-lane road when this comes out.

    • Miles Prower [690 Duke, MTS 1200]

      Good one!

  • Coreyvwc

    Seems like a pretty steep price jump for Ninjette250 with an 50cc’s and a very unpragmatic slipper clutch…? That is essentially what we’re looking at here, is it not?

    • aristurtle

      They also finally ditched the carburetors and added fuel injection.

      Also, the yen has been doing some weird shit lately.

  • ak

    Nothing to do with this topic, but I just noticed the the modern RIDEAPART PRESENTS above the HELL FOR LEATHER sign. They just don’t go together. I honestly would keep paying the subscription fee just so I didn’t have to see that. No disrespect to RIDE APART but aesthetically speaking, its oil and water.

    • Miles Prower [690 Duke, MTS 1200]

      Mixing 3 font families (even if two are integral to the logos) and three different trackings (plus poor kerning of Presents) looks whack.

      • Frosty_spl

        HFL, with “by rideapart” below it in a tiny font.

    • http://vtbmwmov.org Eben

      I think the “design” part of the whole operation might have left with Grant. We’re left with just “culture” and “style”… maybe.