The new Ninja 300 SE represents Kawasaki’s offensive against its 250cc rivals. The new model is the strongest model in its class and comes with a comprehensive list of new features which help it dominate the entire segment.

In terms of power, the motorcycle sports a new 296cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin engine which transfers its power to the rear wheel through a six-speed transmission with F.C.C. assist clutch.

The engine is housed by a new frame made of high-tensile steel tubing that is 150% stiffer than the old frame used by the Ninja 250R.

Jump on board and you’ll be welcomed by a new seat, high-tech instrumentation and a comfy handlebar.

Other features worthy of being mentioned include new wheels and tires, a fresh bodywork and a two-stage under-seat storage compartment.

The 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 SE comes with a base price of $5,199.

Hit the jump for more information on the Kawasaki Ninja 300 SE.

Overview

Quick, Strong, and Easy... The Ultimate Lightweight Sportbike

After years of unchallenged domination, the best-selling Ninja® 250R sportbike had finally begun to see competition from other manufacturers. Make no mistake – it still outperformed the challengers by a significant margin on the open road – but why simply outperform, when you can totally dominate? The new 2013 Ninja 300 thoroughly dominates its lightweight sportbike competition on the performance front, while significantly upping the ante for refinement, ease of use and overall practicality. Thanks to a new digital fuel injection system, and a new F.C.C. clutch with assist and slipper functions, this new 300 is the best lightweight sportbike, by far, when it comes to overall performance and sporting capability.

The new Ninja 300 sportbike is powered by a larger 296cc liquid-cooled, parallel twin that’s tuned to deliver smooth and predictable power around town, plus excellent high-rpm performance on the highway. This upgraded engine offers significantly more performance than the old 250, while its new digital fuel injection (DFI®) system provides improved cold starting, crisper throttle response and better fuel economy than last year’s bike.

2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 SE Key Features:

• 296cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin design offers far superior highway passing power and clearly dominant acceleration compared to other lightweight sportbikes

• New Digital Fuel Injection (DFI®) system uses dual 32mm throttle bodies and provides both improved fuel economy and cleaner emissions compared to last year’s 250

• New F.C.C. clutch with assist and slipper functions provides more power handling capability with significantly less effort. Design also makes clutch easier to modulate and helps reduce the effect of back-torque to reduce wheel hop when downshifting

• All-new bodywork features an aggressive and edgy design with strong Ninja family DNA that sets the Ninja 300 apart from its lightweight sportbike competitors

• New frame uses high-tensile steel main tubes that are 150% more rigid and provide superior feel and agility compared to last year’s 250

• New 10-spoke 17-inch wheels look great and the rear rim has grown ½” wider, allowing the use of a larger 140-section rear tire for 2013

• Revised six-speed transmission features a new roller-type shift drum for smoother actuation and stronger gears for maximum durability. It also offers wide selection of ratios to match varied riding conditions and its positive neutral finder makes it much easier to find neutral when stopped

• Kawasaki Air Management System (KAMS) uses a special deflector to channel hot air from the back of the radiator, so that it exits the bottom of the motorcycle, instead of being blown onto the rider

• Low 30.9-inch seat height and tapered seat boosts confidence for smaller riders

2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 SE Features and Benefits:

New 296cc engine

• Compact parallel-twin design offers good mass centralization for nimble handling

• Tuned to deliver smooth, step-free power with excellent mid-range and high-rpm power for effective highway performance

• New intake ports taper from 1mm wider at the throttle body to .5mm wider at the valve seats

• New 23.6mm intake valves are 1mm larger than last year

• New cam chain design reduces friction for increased power and efficiency

• Revised 10.6:1 compression ratio allows the use of regular 87-octane unleaded gasoline and helps reduce operating temperatures

• New lighter pistons reduce reciprocating weight and feature a hard anodized coating for reduced friction and increased performance at every rpm

• Revised piston bottoms efficiently route cooling oil across underside of piston

• New lighter piston pins reduce reciprocating weight and help preserve a high redline

• New shorter connecting rods offset new longer crank throws

• New sleeveless “open-deck” die-cast aluminum cylinders are 800 grams lighter and feature a friction-reducing “T-treatment” plating

• New thicker crankshaft balancer webs help offset the new longer crank throws

• New crank journal bearings are made from a stronger alloy for increased durability

• New crank cases feature improved oil passages

• New large-volume 2.4 liter oil pan features cooling fins and better ground clearance

• New easy-to-access cartridge type spin-on oil filter helps simplify maintenance

New exhaust system

• New curved 2-into-1 header design contributes to the Ninja 300’s low‐ and mid-range torque and smooth, step-free power curve

• New complex geometry silencer design offers modern styling and meets all regulations without compromising engine performance

• New large brushed-finish metal silencer guard boosts noise reduction and helps protect passenger from exhaust heat

• Meets strict Euro 3 emission standards with a single catalyzer in the collector section

Liquid cooling with kams

• Kawasaki Air Management System (KAMS) uses a special deflector to redirect hot air from the radiator fan, so it exits the bottom of the motorcycle instead of being blown onto the rider

• Lightweight Denso radiator offers effective engine cooling with minimal space and weight

• Fan design uses a quiet-running motor that also saves space

• Fins on the lower side of the crankcase provide additional engine cooling

Six-speed transmisson with new F.C.C. assist clutch

• New F.C.C. clutch with assist and slipper functions is able to handle more power and requires significantly less lever effort to operate. Design also makes clutch easier to modulate and helps reduce the effect of back-torque to reduce wheel hop when downshifting

• Revised six-speed transmission features a new roller-type shift drum for smoother actuation and stronger gears for maximum durability. It also offers wide selection of ratios to match varied riding conditions and its positive neutral finder makes it much easier to find neutral when stopped

• Involute splines reduce friction and backlash between gears and shafts for easier gear meshing and smooth shifting under power

Digital fuel injection (DFI)

• Dual 32mm Keihin throttle bodies and a digital ECU offer easy starting, superior throttle response, and help provide low fuel consumption

• DFI® makes the Ninja 300 cleaner and more fuel efficient than last year’s 250, even though it now makes significantly more power

New chassis

• New frame uses main pipes made from high-tensile steel tubing that is 150% more rigid than the tubes in the previous Ninja 250R’s frame. The added rigidity provides much better chassis response and improved steering precision and feel

• Frame design and chassis tuning offer confidence-inspiring stability at both high and low speeds

• Beefy swingarm bracket contributes to the frame’s rigidity and helps achieve an optimal balance of chassis stiffness

• Square-beam swingarm compliments the new frame’s rigidity

New wheels and tires

• New 17-inch 10-spoke wheel design has a more modern appearance

• New 4” wide rear rim is ½” wider than the old Ninja 250R’s back wheel

• New rear tire is 10mm wider than the tire on last year’s Ninja 250R, for increased stability and improved sportbike handling

• New IRC RX-01R tires were developed in conjunction with Kawasaki and are a perfect match for the improved dynamics of the 2013 Ninja 300. They also provide better wet weather performance than the Ninja 250R’s tires

New high-tech instrumentation

• Large easy-to-read analog tachometer

• Multifunction digital display features an easy-to-read speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, digital clock and warning lights

• Economical riding indicator (ECO) illuminates to let the rider know when they are operating the Ninja 300 in a manner that will maximize fuel economy

New aerodynamic bodywork

• All-new bodywork features an aggressive and edgy design with strong Ninja family DNA that sets the Ninja 300 apart from its lightweight sportbike competitors

• New floating windscreen design helps reduce turbulence and rider fatigue

• Aggressive dual-lamp headlight design, minimalist tail section and separate seats further enhance the aggressive visual impact

• Two helmet holders conveniently located under the rear seat

• New two-stage under-seat storage compartment can hold a U-lock or similar device and is hinged for easy access to the tool kit located beneath the storage tray

• Two hooks under the tail, plus two behind the rear passenger pegs provide anchor points for securing items to the rear of the bike

Ergonomics

• New rider’s seat design is narrower near its front section, making it easier for riders to reach the ground

• New passenger seat features a flatter design which makes it easier to secure cargo or soft luggage

• Slightly forward-slanting seat and wide, slightly raised handlebars give the Ninja 300 a naturally comfortable riding position

New genuine kawasaki accessoreies

• All accessories designed and engineered by Kawasaki

• New Color Matched Seat Cowl is factory designed with integrated styling cues and molded pad perfectly color matched to your Ninja 300

• New Tank Bag and Soft Top Case custom designed tank bag made exclusively for the Ninja 300. Can be installed or removed quickly, multiple storage areas for your gear expandable for carrying larger items

• New “Tall” Windscreen factory designed for easy installation 3” taller bubble design adds wind protection. Features an optically correct 3-D curvature

• New Fuel Tank Pad features matching graphics and helps protect the paint on the fuel tank. A touch of personalization to enhance its sportbike styling

• New Engine Guards factory designed for easy installation helps reduce the possibility of bodywork damage in case of tip over

Specifications

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