[Balaji31582]

What is it that now-a-days the rear mudguard is not seen or not even with a proper tyre hugger and the front mudguard is not really mud-guard? The FZS25 that I have, splashes water on to the pants and my shoes easily gets dirty. I have seen similar complaints from CB350RS owners also. This versys might also have this problem.

[V.Max]

Originally Posted by gtx2

No historical data to support this - A Kawasaki owner

Ninja 300 costs upwards of 7500 per service with a 6000 kms service interval.
Versys 300 should be in that region to be honest. Besides, Versys was on sale until 2018-19 here and its service cost was higher.
Competition bikes like Adv 390 & Himalayan 450 is gonna cost significantly cheaper and we all know it. Not to forget the huge service touch points

- Could've been a Kawasaki owner (but for service cost & touch points)

[i_rock098]

Originally Posted by V.Max

Ninja 300 costs upwards of 7500 per service with a 6000 kms service interval.
Versys 300 should be in that region to be honest. Besides, Versys was on sale until 2018-19 here and its service cost was higher.
Competition bikes like Adv 390 & Himalayan 450 is gonna cost significantly cheaper and we all know it. Not to forget the huge service touch points

- Could've been a Kawasaki owner (but for service cost & touch points)

What contributes to the generally high service cost of Kawasaki compared to other Japanese manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha?
From what I have read, the other three are much cheaper.

[V.Max]

Originally Posted by i_rock098

What contributes to the generally high service cost of Kawasaki compared to other Japanese manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha?
From what I have read, the other three are much cheaper.

CBUs suffer from high service costs. I'm not sure if these makers import the oil , the filters etc thats used in the bikes. We unfortunately do not have lot of data for Yamaha and Suzuki. Yamaha have only the R3 as CBU, while Suzuki have only the 800 DE & Katana. These haven't sold in high numbers.

HOWEVER, the Yamaha R3 is offering 4 free services (6000 kms interval) and the 1st service barely costs 2k! As for Kawa and Honda, they bring atleast 15+ and 4 CBUs to India respectively and charge a lottttt!!
And remember there are no free services with these 2 OEMs.

For example, Kawa Ninja 300's first service has a line item in the service bill which says "1st service" and they charge 2700! This is apart from materials and consumables.

Also, CB500X used to cost barely 2k-3k per service. But its successor the NX500 is easily 6k-7k now!!!

I guess these come down to company policy and the attitude of "let the customer spend if he wants my premium offering"

[handsofsteel]

The X300, in its previously sold avatar, was an excellent machine which, purely on its abilities, was way ahead of the now touted competition (KTMs and the Himalayan). Would not be too wrong to call it ahead of its time and one of a class. Its pricing however, let it down big time. With more competitors this time around, Kawasaki better price it sensibly. Even if it were priced at a slight premium to the H450, it should have its own solid USP. Fingers crossed.

Originally Posted by i_rock098

What contributes to the generally high service cost of Kawasaki compared to other Japanese manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha?
From what I have read, the other three are much cheaper.

Nothing. they have more touch points, a wider service network and relatively easier availability of parts compared to any other big bike manufacturer so, are simply milking the advantage. They are every bit as reliable and bullet proof. Once out of warranty, nobody follows the OEM recommendations for service intervals. Its much like Honda Cars recommending 6-monthly service intervals in this day and age. Ironically, their bikes are pretty simple to service and maintain for anyone inclined towards DIY.

From what I know, an average oil and filter change service costs 7-8k for all these bikes. It is nothing more than a 45 min job. In another 45 mins, you could do the coolant change also. If you do these annually yourself, you only need to visit the SVC/ FNG for major stuff/ routines involving special tools like cone set renewal, fork oil change, sprocket/chain renewal etc.

I guess the companies think that 7k/ year is pocket change for someone willing to spend 7L OTR.

[bf1983]

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

Even if it were priced at a slight premium to the H450, it should have its own solid USP. Fingers crossed.

Oh it's gonna be more than a slight premium over the Himalayan 452. The Ninja 300 which is also localized sells for 3.4l ex showroom and this bike will definitely be much more than that at least. So a good 70-80k price increase over the Himalayan. But still should be far less than the earlier price of 4.69l which was simply crazy

[7000plusrpm]

Originally Posted by bf1983

Oh it's gonna be more than a slight premium over the Himalayan 452. The Ninja 300 which is also localized sells for 3.4l ex showroom and this bike will definitely be much more than that at least. So a good 70-80k price increase over the Himalayan. But still should be far less than the earlier price of 4.69l which was simply crazy

So, the current Ninja 300 is feeling pretty outdated. There's not much to rave about except for the engine. No fancy modern features or anything like that.

If the upcoming baby Versys ends up being priced at 4L ex-showroom or more, it's probably not going to make a huge dent in the market. Unlike Honda and Yamaha, Kawasakis aren't exactly cost effective to maintain. Not even the now localized 300. A high starting price for this would be pretty risky for Kawasaki.

But hey, they're not all bothered about the numbers, if you know what I mean.

[bf1983]

Originally Posted by 7000plusrpm

So, the current Ninja 300 is feeling pretty outdated. There's not much to rave about except for the engine. No fancy modern features or anything like that.

If the upcoming baby Versys ends up being priced at 4L ex-showroom or more, it's probably not going to make a huge dent in the market. Unlike Honda and Yamaha, Kawasakis aren't exactly cost effective to maintain. Not even the now localized 300. A high starting price for this would be pretty risky for Kawasaki.

But hey, they're not all bothered about the numbers, if you know what I mean.

Oh this is based on the Ninja 300 only so switchgear and dash will be exactly the same along with halogen turn indicators that automatically break off in a year.

Kawasaki has forgotten to update this bike and is sold in just a few countries.

[gt3t0uring]

Originally Posted by i_rock098

What contributes to the generally high service cost of Kawasaki compared to other Japanese manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha?
From what I have read, the other three are much cheaper.

I can speak for Kawasaki here as I have one in family.
The main reason for high service cost is the labour charges. For a Ninja 300 labour cost is around 4k and ofcourse other fluids which are changed are added up on it. There are two oils on offer at service centres, one by Idemitsu (approx 700 per litre) and the other by Petronas (approx 1200 per litre), surprisingly both are manufactured in India.

[i_rock098]

Originally Posted by V.Max

CBUs suffer from high service costs. I'm not sure if these makers import the oil , the filters etc thats used in the bikes. We unfortunately do not have lot of data for Yamaha and Suzuki. Yamaha have only the R3 as CBU, while Suzuki have only the 800 DE & Katana. These haven't sold in high numbers.

HOWEVER, the Yamaha R3 is offering 4 free services (6000 kms interval) and the 1st service barely costs 2k! As for Kawa and Honda, they bring atleast 15+ and 4 CBUs to India respectively and charge a lottttt!!
And remember there are no free services with these 2 OEMs.

For example, Kawa Ninja 300's first service has a line item in the service bill which says "1st service" and they charge 2700! This is apart from materials and consumables.

Also, CB500X used to cost barely 2k-3k per service. But its successor the NX500 is easily 6k-7k now!!!

I guess these come down to company policy and the attitude of "let the customer spend if he wants my premium offering"

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

Nothing. they have more touch points, a wider service network and relatively easier availability of parts compared to any other big bike manufacturer so, are simply milking the advantage. They are every bit as reliable and bullet proof. Once out of warranty, nobody follows the OEM recommendations for service intervals. Its much like Honda Cars recommending 6-monthly service intervals in this day and age. Ironically, their bikes are pretty simple to service and maintain for anyone inclined towards DIY.

From what I know, an average oil and filter change service costs 7-8k for all these bikes. It is nothing more than a 45 min job. In another 45 mins, you could do the coolant change also. If you do these annually yourself, you only need to visit the SVC/ FNG for major stuff/ routines involving special tools like cone set renewal, fork oil change, sprocket/chain renewal etc.

I guess the companies think that 7k/ year is pocket change for someone willing to spend 7L OTR.

Originally Posted by gt3t0uring

I can speak for Kawasaki here as I have one in family.
The main reason for high service cost is the labour charges. For a Ninja 300 labour cost is around 4k and ofcourse other fluids which are changed are added up on it. There are two oils on offer at service centres, one by Idemitsu (approx 700 per litre) and the other by Petronas (approx 1200 per litre), surprisingly both are manufactured in India.

Thank you all for chipping in with the explanations. It really helps to give a perspective on why the service costs are higher.

Sticking to Kawasaki, are the service costs proportionally higher for higher capacity bikes? In the sense, does a Z900 service cost proportionally more than a Ninja 650, which in turn costs proportionally more than a Ninja 300? (Considering only general service without any part changes)

Also, what's the service schedule for these bikes? Is it once a year?

Lastly, 4k as pure labor costs and 8k for an oil/filter change do seem quite expensive. Is there any way to avoid it by going to a private mechanic instead? Will they be able to service these bikes?

[bf1983]

Originally Posted by i_rock098

Thank you all for chipping in with the explanations. It really helps to give a perspective on why the service costs are higher.

Sticking to Kawasaki, are the service costs proportionally higher for higher capacity bikes? In the sense, does a Z900 service cost proportionally more than a Ninja 650, which in turn costs proportionally more than a Ninja 300? (Considering only general service without any part changes)

Also, what's the service schedule for these bikes? Is it once a year?

Lastly, 4k as pure labor costs and 8k for an oil/filter change do seem quite expensive. Is there any way to avoid it by going to a private mechanic instead? Will they be able to service these bikes?

Short answer is no. My Z650 used to cost me around 8k per service and my friend who has a Z900 paid around 9k for service because he had to put more oil. Spare parts however are very expensive. A starter relay for my bike costs 12k new. I used an OTR starter relay for 2k and it works perfectly as a new one except for a check engine light because of a non oem relay.

My friend went when cheaper and he uses a FZ16 starter relay in his Ninja 650 😂

General service usually is very similar to most brands except Yamaha and Honda. Suzuki is slightly cheaper than Kawasaki though.

Ducati is by far the most expensive because of their eye watering desmo service. Triumph has a yearly service interval but every alternate service has a big service which is around double of the previous service so again costs align with Kawasaki.

[handsofsteel]

Originally Posted by i_rock098

Also, what's the service schedule for these bikes? Is it once a year?

Lastly, 4k as pure labor costs and 8k for an oil/filter change do seem quite expensive. Is there any way to avoid it by going to a private mechanic instead? Will they be able to service these bikes?

I have mentioned both above. FNG is easily doable. Best part- a lot of Kawasaki parts are common to Yamaha, Santo etc etc. easily available at 1/5 or 1/6 the cost. So no issues there too. Annual service recommended.

[Nayra]

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

I have mentioned both above. FNG is easily doable. Best part- a lot of Kawasaki parts are common to Yamaha, Santo etc etc. easily available at 1/5 or 1/6 the cost. So no issues there too. Annual service recommended.

Seconded. Lots of undue negativity towards the wrong aspect of the bike.
Regardless of their cost, the spares and machine is unmatched in quality and reliability compared to 99% of the market barring Honda and Yamaha.

It is also extremely easy to work on these bikes owing to their mechanical simplicity and hordes of maintenance material online. An oil change takes me about 15-20 minutes. The only time I feel obligated to take the bike to the Kawasaki folks is to check the valves.
That combined with a service interval of 12000km or once a year means the baby 300 has been more economical to maintain than my SR150. (The Indian manual says 6000km or 6 months is the service interval but in most other countries and according to the service manager, 12 months is enough).

With comparable levels of localization, hopefully the Versys is the same.
The higher reliability and quality levels relative to the market can demand a premium but the issue is that Kawasaki thinks that a 1 lakh+ premium is justified.

[adises]

Not seen any new updates / rumours about the bike being launched in India. As an Interceptor 650 owner, I'm really looking forward to seeing a 300cc parallel twin adv being available in the market. Hopefully Kawasaki doesn't muck up the pricing and then pull the plug due to lacklustre sales like last time.