Image gallery: 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 300

Rishabh Bhaskar Updated: October 06, 2018, 12:09 PM IST

Kawasaki India pulled out the proverbial rabbit out of the hat when it launched the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 300 at a Rs 2.98 lakh (ex-showroom). This was courtesy of heavy localisation but without a drop in quality, as we found out during the road test. At Rs 62,000 cheaper than the 2017 model, the Ninja 300 brings a lot of value to the table if you consider the fact that it is now the most affordable twin-cylinder motorcycle in the country. And it gets ABS as well as MRF Zapper tyres that offer much more grip than the IRC tyres on the previous model.

Yes, it is, essentially, a 2013 model and to make matters worse the new Ninja 400 is also on sale, albeit at an eye-watering price (Rs 5.7 lakh OTR Mumbai). But, if you really want a refined and capable Japanese twin, the Ninja 300 could make for a worthy consideration.

The sharp styling of the Ninja 300 still looks good and the new metallic shade looks appealing

Bold Ninja graphics on the panels shout out the lineage of motorcycle

The brakes are made in India by Endurance and the addition of ABS is more than welcome. In fact, ABS gives you a lot of confidence to go hard on the brakes. The new MRF Zappers are way better than the budget IRC tyres that the 2013-2017 models came with

The 296cc, liquid cooled parallel twin engine is the same unit that we've seen in the older bike. It produces 39PS at 11,000rpm and 27Nm at 10,000rpm and is paired to a six-speed gearbox

Switchgear feels high quality and built to last

Big tacho adorns the centre of the instrument panel. In this day and age, when most manufacturers are installing full digital instruments, an analouge tacho has a charm of its own