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-   -   A Close Look: The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 300 ABS (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/201257-close-look-2019-kawasaki-ninja-300-abs.html)

The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 300 ABS has been launched in India at a price of 2.98L ex-showroom. The below pictures were clicked by BHPian KarthikK who attended the launch and display event conducted by the Bangalore dealership. Thanks to him for his pictures and observations.


Ninja 300 was first launched in the Indian Market back in April 2013 at Rs 3.50 lakhs, (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It was available with both green and white paint schemes, however the India spec motorcycle didn't offer ABS. The model has received a price drop in July 2018, thanks to increased localization - coming down to 2.98L with ABS, as compared to the earlier pricing of 3.6L ex-showroom without ABS.



IMO, the MY2019 version is the best of the N300 yet, in terms of looks, though the model itself was supposed to be replaced by the 400 last year. Interestingly the 300 still co-exists with the 400 even in markets like the USA.


No change in the panels since originally introduced in 2013. Except for the stickerwork. Some more profile shots of the bike in both the colours.

Grab rail stands out like a sore thumb, but is provided to comply with the Indian regulations. Should be easy enough to remove -

Taking a closer look at the Ninja -


Starting with the big news. Comes with ABS for the MY2019 version. The system is supplied by Endurance. For those who haven't heard of Endurance as a brand, check out the front forks of the Pulsar series. Thats the only place I've seen this brand logo displayed proudly. Retains the 290mm petal disc with dual piston calipers up front. Interestingly, Kawasaki also claims this is the world's smallest ABS unit that is used in the Ninja 300 -

Closer look at the console. Lights up like this. Could not confirm if the ABS sensor warning is added somewhere as disinterested Kawasaki salesmen claimed to have misplaced the keys on the two days of launch!

Continues to have excellent part quality and finish as earlier. The tyres however are changed to MRFs, as compared to the Thai spec IRC tyres on the outgoing version. Gets MRF Nylogrip Zapper-S 140/60R17 for the rear, and MRF Nylogrip Zapper-Y 110/70R17 for the front. MRF claims both of these to be sticky compound tyres -


Some members had expressed concerns over paint quality when the initial pics came out. However, paint quality is very good and better than the competing Yamaha R3 (which again is good by itself), as per BHPian KarthikK who saw both on the same day -


Continues with the same mechanicals as earlier. A 296 cc Liquid-cooled, Parallel Twin motor producing 39 PS @ 11,000 rpm and 27 Nm @ 10,000 rpm. Power is transmitted to the wheels via a 6 speed gearbox with the help of a slipper clutch.

Other Points -

1. Quick Comparison with some rivals -
   
   
   
2. MRF tyres are a main concern expressed by many. Simple upgrade options listed below -
   
   Front -
   Pirelli Diablo Rosso II ~ Rs 3900/-
   Metzeler Sportec M5 ~ Rs 3600/-
   Michelin Pilot Street ~ 4400/-
   
   Rear -
   Stock size is not easily available in the Indian market. Most 300s I have seen upgraded to 150 section tyres.
   Pirelli Diablo Rosso II ~ Rs 6700/-
   Metzeler Sportec M5 ~ Rs 4800/-
   Michelin Pilot Street ~ 5800/-
   
   
3. No test rides available for the MY2019 version, though older 300s are available. Kawasaki seems to be rotating these two bikes for the initial display event within all of its showrooms in India. :Frustrati
   
   Below ownership reports should give all insights on how the 300 behaves in our conditions -
   http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...nja-300-a.html
   http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...nja-300-a.html
   http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ust-white.html
   
   
4. Onroad price for Bangalore is 3,81,683 including 2 year RSA.
   
   Ex-showroom - 2,98,000/-
   Registration and RTO Charges - 69,540/-
   Insurance - 10,552/-
   RSA - 3,591/-
   
   RTO Charges seem to be on the higher side. Checking with them for an explanation.
   
   
5. MY2017 old stock is still available on discount. 41,000/- off and free jacket is the deal currently, though that still makes it same OTR as the new version.
   
   Not sure who will pay the same OTR as the MY2019 model with ABS!
   
   
   

Bangalore folks - just FYI

Had attended the Ninja 300 launch ceremony @Rideventur i.e the only Kawasaki dealership in Bangalore , some points that would like to share

Bikes to be available for delivery from late Sept - bookings accepted
Only servicing place in Jayanagar 3rd block
Handling charges do not seem to be negotiable

Some of my personal observations
Bike seems bigger than regular 150cc transporters but much smaller than say R3 in flesh
Fit Finish and plastics look top notch
Soundwise prefer Benelli twins sound (totally personal opinion)

Overall found the dealership personnel to be quite professional and the launch was a nice enough affair with good time given on customer interaction

Thank you CrAzY dRiVeR for the report. Of course Kawasaki had to do a lot of localization to bring the price down to this level.

One small correction I wish to make - only the base brakes (calipers and disc rotors) are supplied by Endurance. They don't make ABS units, especially for motorcycles.

The Ninja 300 comes with Bosch ABS10M 2 channel unit, which is currently the smallest 2 channel ABS in the world. It should be well-priced, as it is produced locally in Bosch' Pune plant.



Right now, I don't have any evidence to post here, but I work for a competitor, and know for a fact that the ABS10M globally debuted in 2017 in the Versys-X 300, and is 99% there in the Ninja 300 as well. Cheers! :)

It is infact smaller than R3 in every dimension.

Ninja 300 - 2,015 x 715 x 1,110 mm.
Yamaha R3 - 2090 x 720 x 1135 mm.

Thank you. Didn't know this info! :thumbs up

Indeed the world's smallest Motorcycle ABS produced for both one channel and two channel units. Made in India for India, Designed in Japan.
The same 2Ch unit does the duty in Royal Enfield which will be released today.

The single channel unit.

My god that's one hideous looking grab rail!
Pardon my ignorance, but which regulation requires grab rails?
And if required by regulation, how come bikes like the R3, RC390, RR310 etc don't have one?

The KTM RC390 has an underseat grab-rail ; I am assuming the other bikes are doing something similar.

It is absolutely mandatory in India. There was a SIAM appeal against it going on in the Supreme Court, and that was also squashed by the top court earlier this year. Vehicles cannot be sold without a valid Saree Guard and pillion grab rail - but you know how well the law works in India. Details on how these two should be added can be read here - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/63098266.cms

RR310, KTM RC all had these at some point. Like below -


I agree the implementation is rather extreme on the N300, probably due to lack of proper mounts otherwise.

Some say hideous grab rail, I say "FREE TOURING SADDLE-STAY"

Which I feel is an added bonus, better than tethering luggage inconveniently like seen below;



Plus now you have something to actually grab onto when getting the motorcycle out of sticky situations, which is way better than Good Samaritans lifting the motorcycle grabbing onto the fiber bits. :D

Well, may be they did not want to spend too much time and money on the R&D to find a cleaner alternative for something that the majority of the owners would throw away once RTO inspection and the registration process is complete.

But couldn't agree more, such an eyesore for a neat looking bike.

Ride Safe,
R-Six

Thanks for this!
I did not know that grab rails were mandated. Looks like the R3 has them in a very discreet fashion.

Thanks for sharing. I loved every bit of the N300 except for the ugly grab rail that looks like an afterthought.
Someone asked the question - who will buy MY17 model over the MY19 with ABS, IMHO there might be a few who will (only a few) for the apprehensions over overall product quality of this 'made in India' motorcycle.
For instance, the alloy quality on the rims, the 'cheaper' endurance brakes
Some may also want to buy the older iteration purely for the discontinued colours? (White for instance)
Having said all this, I’d love to pick up the newer one and take a risk worth taking.