[sarsh11]

Just posting a few videos reviewing the bike (owners):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2IX...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W06v-...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yoygb...eature=related

Apparently the brakes are still a bit spongy, but the ride quality overall has improved.

I'm hoping Bajaj/Kawasaki give us a ballpark launch date so we don't have to wait endlessly for it. The suspense is killing me.

[FourWheelDrift]

And here's a video of a dyno pull on the Ninja 300 ... by Cycle World magazine.

http://www.cycleworld.com/videos/pop...cmpid=facebook

Kawasaki says 39 PS at the crankshaft. (Source : http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Ninja300/Specifications)

CW says 34.95 HP at the rear wheel.

[apachelongbow]

Originally Posted by sids911

You sure about that?
I thought dyno curves of India/UK speck FI 250 motor would be pretty close to the new Ninja 300 owing to only a couple less horses and around 5 nm less torque at 11000 RPMs.

The Fuel injected Indian Ninja 250R produces 33 Bhp@11000 and 22 Nm @ 8200 rpm peak torque compared to anemic US spec Ninja 250.

CW figures are bhp and torque produced at the rear wheel (minus transmission and distribution losses). Figures of 33bhp quoted for the 250 are at the crank shaft, it definitely would be approx 26bhp at the rear wheel.
Hence the 300 is a def step up in terms of power

[Harbir]

I can't see any reason to buy this with the ktm 390 coming. Unless you're a sucker for the full fairing. Lucky for Bajaj they have the sales of both.

[Passiautonate]

Originally Posted by Harbir

I can't see any reason to buy this with the ktm 390 coming. Unless you're a sucker for the full fairing. Lucky for Bajaj they have the sales of both.

Well it's not all about fairing IMHO. Sports bike offers a different feel altogether be it riding position, to high speed dynamics. If 390 KTM is to be anything like 200 it would be vastly different from Ninja 250R. Even 250R is pretty different from Ninja 300 as 250R is ultimate track machine (remember the word R )

Street bikes and cruisers have more equal weight distribution while sports bike have more forward weight inclination making rider feel more connected to tarmac.

As for me I would prefer a real sports bike kind of a feel so will go for 250R. Only problem is Ninja 250R's CKD prices which are bit on higher side. Somehow it didn't gives me a VFM feel.

Regards,
Maddy

[Harbir]

umm. the Ninja 250 is not a sportbike. It just looks like one. It is an inexpensive, cheaply manufactured economy beginner bike for those starting off riders who expect to graduate to sportbikes. It is not a sportbike in the sense that sportbikes have particularly rigid and lightweight frames, low rake steering geometry, high tune engines, and high capacity brakes. The little ninjette has none of those. The 250cc class sportbike from Kawasaki was the ZX-2R/ZRX250 which had an pressed aluminium perimeter frame (instead of welded steel tubes), steeper steering rake, 26kg lighter and rated at 45hp.

The Ninja 300R is 22kg heavier than the KTM390, makes less power, shows no advantage in frame design, suspension componentry, or braking hardware.

Unless the KTM 390 comes with really bad tyres, its going to make mincemeat of the Ninja 300 in terms of performance.

It may not have the zoomy leaned over riding position and the feel good style of the Kawasaki, but there is nothing about it I can see that makes it a better sportbike than the 390 Duke.

[balenopower]

Originally Posted by Harbir

umm. the Ninja 250 is not a sportbike. It just looks like one. It is an inexpensive, cheaply manufactured economy beginner bike for those starting off riders who expect to graduate to sportbikes. It is not a sportbike in the sense that sportbikes have particularly rigid and lightweight frames, low rake steering geometry, high tune engines, and high capacity brakes. The little ninjette has none of those. The 250cc class sportbike from Kawasaki was the ZX-2R/ZRX250 which had an pressed aluminium perimeter frame (instead of welded steel tubes), steeper steering rake, 26kg lighter and rated at 45hp.

The Ninja 300R is 22kg heavier than the KTM390, makes less power, shows no advantage in frame design, suspension componentry, or braking hardware.

Unless the KTM 390 comes with really bad tyres, its going to make mincemeat of the Ninja 300 in terms of performance.

It may not have the zoomy leaned over riding position and the feel good style of the Kawasaki, but there is nothing about it I can see that makes it a better sportbike than the 390 Duke.

Let me add my 2 cents here. The 250 is not a sports bike but is a beginners tool for those who aspire to own 'sportbikes'. What the little 2fiddy can teach in terms of dynamics is on a different plane compared to what the KTM dishes out. The KTM 390 will still be more street fun rather than a track treat like the 300. If the 250 is cheaply manufactured then i dont know what you call the KTM.

In terms of outright performance, the Duke is sure to have the better of the ninja thanks to better power to weight ratio, but talk about constant high speed blasts on the highways..its a different ball game altogether.

[Harbir]

Originally Posted by balenopower

What the little 2fiddy can teach in terms of dynamics is on a different plane compared to what the KTM dishes out.

Apart from the fact that the 390 Duke may be more intimidating due to its higher power to weight, I am having trouble seeing how the Ninja will be a better teaching tool. Does it have more benign handling characteristics? Is it more forgiving of beginner mistakes?

If yes, it'll certainly make a better teaching tool, but that would be because its a more benign, more forgiving bike, not because its a pseudo sportbike.

The KTM 390 will still be more street fun rather than a track treat like the 300.

On what do you base this? The Ninja 250 was never a track oriented bike, even though it acted like a fun little package at the track. Its frame, suspension, and braking hardware does not indicate an advantage over the KTM at the track. its steering geometry is more relaxed than the KTM's, and its wheelbase is significantly longer.

26kg less weight, shorter wheelbase, steeper steering rake, and KTM's history of hyper aggressive handling naked bikes, all imply the KTM is going to massacre the Ninja 300 at the track.

I think Ninja 250/300 fans are not going to be happy when the inevitable magazine comparison tests reveal the track times of the Duke 390 vs the Ninja 300R.

In terms of outright performance, the Duke is sure to have the better of the ninja thanks to better power to weight ratio, but talk about constant high speed blasts on the highways..its a different ball game altogether.

Now we get to the truth of it. The Ninja 250R is going to be the better overall bike because of its wind protection, more benign handling, and more greater refinement.

But for the SPORT of riding, for thrills, fun, excitement, handling, lap times, attacking twisting roads, I would put my money on the KTM 390, not the Ninja.

and I say this as a life long lover of Kawasakis since 1978. My last bike was a ZX-12R. but I think, as fun-to-ride performance bike, the KTM 390 is going to land some pretty hard body blows on the Ninja 300.

[balenopower]

Originally Posted by Harbir

Apart from the fact that the 390 Duke may be more intimidating due to its higher power to weight, I am having trouble seeing how the Ninja will be a better teaching tool. Does it have more benign handling characteristics? Is it more forgiving of beginner mistakes?

If yes, it'll certainly make a better teaching tool, but that would be because its a more benign, more forgiving bike, not because its a pseudo sportbike.



On what do you base this? The Ninja 250 was never a track oriented bike, even though it acted like a fun little package at the track. Its frame, suspension, and braking hardware does not indicate an advantage over the KTM at the track. its steering geometry is more relaxed than the KTM's, and its wheelbase is significantly longer.

26kg less weight, shorter wheelbase, steeper steering rake, and KTM's history of hyper aggressive handling naked bikes, all imply the KTM is going to massacre the Ninja 300 at the track.

I think Ninja 250/300 fans are not going to be happy when the inevitable magazine comparison tests reveal the track times of the Duke 390 vs the Ninja 300R.



Now we get to the truth of it. The Ninja 250R is going to be the better overall bike because of its wind protection, more benign handling, and more greater refinement.

But for the SPORT of riding, for thrills, fun, excitement, handling, lap times, attacking twisting roads, I would put my money on the KTM 390, not the Ninja.

and I say this as a life long lover of Kawasakis since 1978. My last bike was a ZX-12R. but I think, as fun-to-ride performance bike, the KTM 390 is going to land some pretty hard body blows on the Ninja 300.

A Ninja ‘is’ more forgiving and like you said more benign than the Duke which is always on the limit and begging to be ridden hard. And that is exactly what you need in a beginners bike. And I have never mentioned the 250 as a sportbike. And this I say after riding both the Ninja and the Duke on the Chennai and Coimbatore tracks.

Again I said the handling characteristics are on a ‘different’ plane which nowhere implies that the 250 has better handling. However, moving from a Ninja 250 to bigger ‘sportbikes’ (again I'm not including nakeds here), the progression will be much easier since the 250’s handling is more akin to them.

I already mentioned the Duke will be quicker than the Ninja 300, but by how much we shall have to wait and see. I don’t see any ninja fans getting disappointed since I'm sure most would know that these are different bikes and appeal to different people. It’s the same way that a Royal Enfield buyer will never be disappointed over his purchase just because a CBR 250 offers better touring capabilities. I am a 250 owner and see my self as a Duke 390 pretty soon, but I would ‘not’ buy it as an alternative to the 300/250, but I would definitely buy it for a ‘different’ riding experience.

[n_aditya]

Note from Support - Guys, please stick to the topic of discussion...!

[doctorque]

I have been in the awe of the way the Ninja 300R looks ever since the pictures came out. My 250R that looked good to me, suddenly has started dating to my eyes everytime i see those pictures. The 250R has been an unbelievably good machine to learn on, proper big bike feel and 14,000rpms corner exits.

Like Balenopower rightly mentioned i may as well look at a Duke 390 (or a CBR500R if priced well, whenever it comes that is) for the sheer fun of owning a street bike with more power i had for not so much money.

However, if that happens, i am very dearly going to miss the extra pounds on my wrists that my Ninja offered.

[sarsh11]

According to motoroid's the unofficial bookings for the 300R has begun in some probiking showrooms.
Source: http://motoroids.com/news/kawasaki-n...ookings-price/

I'm going to the dealer in Chennai tomorrow to confirm. I'm now swaying between the Duke 390 and the Ninjette..maybe I'll have to wait and see them both in flesh to make a decision.

[jkdas]

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/first-im...de-report.html

All credits to xBhp!

[Sheel]

JK - That article is pretty old. Yes, the new 250R is rumored to come to India.

But with the 300 out & being sold, I don't see why should one go for the 250 if the cost difference isn't much.

[niv26]

Originally Posted by Sheel

JK - That article is pretty old. Yes, the new 250R is rumored to come to India.

But with the 300 out & being sold, I don't see why should one go for the 250 if the cost difference isn't much.

may be for city driving (read it as low end torque).