2013 KAWASAKI NINJA 300-LITTLE NINJA BULKS

The 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 has officially made your bike obsolete. After feeling the pressure as bikes like the CBR250 started to encroach on the beginner bike market share Kawasaki has virtually dominated for two decades, Team Green saw it fit to elevate the stakes even more by dramatically revamping the venerable Ninja 250 into what is now the 300.

Last week, we covered the details surrounding the Ninja 300 during its U.S. unveil in Times Square in New York City. In short, a longer stroke (48.0 mm vs. 41.2 mm) is responsible for the displacement spike. Connecting rods and pistons were lightened, shortened and strengthened to cope with the extra power while maintaining the same deck height and 13,000-rpm redline as the 250.

Besides the bigger engine, digital fuel injection finally makes its way onto the baby Ninja. Equipped on Euro-spec Ninja 250s for a few years, 2013 marks the first time it’s been made available in America. Benefits are substantial: easy startup (especially useful in cold weather), smoother idle, more precise throttle response, cleaner emissions, and vastly improved fuel economy. Throttle bodies measure 32mm, and the intake tract utilizes dual throttle valves for more precise fueling throughout the rev range.

Kawasaki tests showed the existing clutch in the 250 couldn’t handle the increased torque from the 296cc engine. So it turned to Japanese firm F.C.C., who delivered a new, stronger unit featuring “assist” and slipper functions. You’re likely familiar with slipper clutches by now, as it’s extremely effective in limiting rear-wheel lockup during aggressive or sloppy downshifts. The assist function results in a light clutch pull many riders, new or experienced, will appreciate. Optional ABS is the next major improvement and feature of the new 300. Using a Nissin ABS unit weighing only 631 grams, it’s 60% lighter than any existing Nissin unit available, and Kawasaki claims it’s the lightest and smallest ABS unit available on any current production motorcycle.