296cc Parallel-Twin, 39.4 HP & A Naked Design That Could SCARE KTM 390 Duke!
Kawasaki announced the launch of their Z300 motorcycle at Rs. 3.24 lakh ex-showroom which is the entry-level variant their motorcycle segment in India. The naked streetfighter motorcycle has been derived from the Ninja 300 and has the same 296cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that produces 39.4 hp at 11,000 rpm and 26.3 Nm at 10,000 rpm.
This motorcycle will be the twin-cylinder competitor to the naked streetfighters as it has all the practicality of the Ninja 300 but is without the faired bodywork to please streetfighter enthusiasts. The 6-speed gearbox, slip-and-assist clutch, dual-channel ABS, and the 17-litre fuel tank will make this one of the most utilitarian middleweight naked motorcycles in India.
Engine: Ninja 300’s Proven 296cc Twin
As stated before, the 296cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin motorcycle engine has been sourced from the Ninja 300. The motor is a DOHC, four valves per cylinder using the dual-throttle valve technology from Kawasaki.
Specification Kawasaki Z300
Engine 296cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin
Maximum power 39.4 hp at 11,000 rpm
Maximum torque 26.3 Nm at 10,000 rpm
Gearbox 6-speed
Clutch Slip-and-assist
Fuel tank 17 litres
Kerb weight 175 kg
Ground clearance 140 mm
The slip-and-assist clutch mechanism helps in reducing the lever pull. As such when the motorcycle is decelerating sharply on the highway or in city traffic, the clutch mechanism helps prevent rear wheel lock.
The 17-litre fuel tank capacity is larger than most of its rivals and will give the Z300 a longer range per tank.
Design: Naked Z Styling
The motorcycle continues to follow the Z-series naked motorcycle design language of Kawasaki with the aggressive front end, muscular fuel tank, and the minimal bodywork.
Some of the design highlights are listed below:
• Aggressive naked streetfighter styling
• Muscular fuel tank
• Minimal bodywork
• Full LED lighting
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 290 mm front and 220 mm rear petal disc brakes
The design aesthetic gives a more upright riding position as compared to the Ninja 300 and is more suited for commuting and touring in city traffic.
Suspension and Braking
The motorcycle comes with a 37 mm right-way-up telescopic front fork and preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. This is a fairly conventional suspension set up that makes the motorcycle more comfortable on the highway.
Braking hardware for the motorcycle is as follows:
• 290 mm front petal disc
• 220 mm rear petal disc
• Dual-channel ABS
• 17-inch alloy wheels
The dual-channel ABS is good for emergency braking scenarios and the 17-inch alloy wheels give the motorcycle a visual appeal.
Features: Reverse LCD Cluster
The motorcycle gets a nice reverse LCD cluster that comes from the Ninja 500. This will be a step up from the basic analogue gauges that come on most of the competition.
Some of the key features on the motorcycle are as follow:
• Reverse LCD instrument cluster
• Dual-channel ABS
• Slip-and-assist clutch
• Dual-throttle valve technology
• Full LED lighting
• 17-litre fuel tank
The reverse LCD cluster provides all the basic riding information like the speed, RPM, fuel level, and gear position. However, it lacks smartphone connectivity and navigation which is a missed opportunity by Kawasaki.
Price and Positioning
Coming to the position in the market, the Z300 at Rs. 3.24 lakh will be the entry-level motorcycle from Kawasaki. However, the motorcycle will also be the cheapest in this engine displacement as it is lower than the Z650 and the Z900.
Kawasaki Z model Price
Z300 Rs. 3.24 lakh
Z650 Rs. 6.79 lakh+
Z900 Rs. 9.99 lakh+
The price positioning makes sense as it brings a Z-series naked motorcycle within the reach of budget. Moreover, most of the competitors like the KTM 390 Duke and the Triumph Speed 400 are at least Rs. 6-lakh+ which is a fair amount to spend on a motorcycle.
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Competition
The Z300 will have to fight it out against the following motorcycles:
KTM 390 Duke
Triumph Speed 400
Honda CB300R
Yamaha MT-03
Bajaj Dominar 400
Vs KTM 390 Duke: The Z300 will be a twin-cylinder engine that offers a smoother riding experience while the Duke has better electronics and more power.
Vs Triumph Speed 400: The Z300 will be cheaper and has more fuel capacity, while the Speed 400 offers a premium aesthetic and better brakes.
Vs Honda CB300R: The Z300 offers a twin-cylinder engine with better power while the CB300R is a more agile and lightweight motorcycle.
The main strengths of the Z300 compared to the competition include the Ninja 300’s proven engine, larger fuel tank, and the reliability of the brand, but it does miss on some of the features.
Should You Buy It?
The Kawasaki Z300 is targeted towards buyers who want to get a twin-cylinder streetfighter motorcycle that has a larger fuel tank capacity for longer touring.
Buy it if:
• You want a Kawasaki twin-cylinder naked motorcycle.
• You value the Ninja 300’s reliability.
• You want a larger fuel tank for touring.
• You want a more comfortable upright riding position.
Skip it if:
• You want the most powerful 300 cc-400 cc class motorcycle.
• You want the best technology available in this segment.
• You want to buy a premium brand like the Triumph or KTM.
• You want a fully faired sportbike.
The Kawasaki Z300 makes sense as an entry-level Z series model where it will compete against its single-cylinder counterparts. Offering a 296 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin, 39.4 hp, 17-litre fuel tank, and a 3.24 lakh rupees price tag, the Z300 will have to contend with several other naked motorcycles in its class. For buyers looking to get a twin-cylinder alternative with a larger fuel tank, the Z300 makes sense. However, for those looking to get the most powerful and technologically advanced naked motorcycle, one should consider the KTM Duke 390 or the Triumph Speed 400.
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