2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 First Ride

The 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 arrives at Cycle World offices and Don Canet runs through the major upgrades for the new machine after a quick ride.

[dumbcat]

Had one of these. Fantastic gas mileage. Great around corners. Not much punch out of corners due to lower power. More of a steady 'roll on' type power. Very beautiful bike. Angular design with bright green pain that really 'pops' in the sun. Tons of looks. Girls loved it. Not a freeway bike though. Strains at freeways speeds. No power to get you out of sticky situations at high speeds. Was almost run down by a Ford cargo van because I couldn't get out of his way fast enough. Appears bigger than it is. People thought it was a 600. Wasn't thrilled with the skinny rear wheel & tire. Looks wimpy from behind. Overall a super fun bike primarily for twisty country roads.

[IllyriaArberiaAlbaniaShqiperia]

i have this bike and it is a great commuter bike. The girls will love you, you look good and sporty. It is not to fast and not to slow. It is pointless buying a high biker because anything you will do in the street more likely you will get pull over by the cops, pay fines, crash, spend more money or might even be dead. Public roads are not safe to ride these bikes fast due to rocks, gravel and etc. Take it to the track and race there people. Ride safe.

[MikeDohz]

That is a beautiful Motorcycle. Really makes me wish I had a Ninja 300. I'm really glad Kawasaki went the route of the 300cc motorcycle... and did it right.

[SombraPiloto]

I just replaced my CBR250R with a Ninja 300 and the difference is absolutely amazing. I never thought 47cc would make a difference but this bike is night and day better than a 250. I would love a supersport and will likely add a 636 to may garage next year but in the meantime this bike will be making me VERY happy!!! I can't recommend it highly enough.

[AudiophileTubes]

Awesome bike! We need more smaller displacement bikes here in the USA! Especially now that gas prices are high, and keep climbing.

[erinroth]

I'm personally only just starting to get into riding, partly as a way to remember my father who passed away 4 years ago. It's my way of keeping him alive in my heart. Perhaps getting back into riding could be a way for you to remember your friend. He would probably have been excited for you if you got back into bikes, so I'd say don't let fear stop you. Even if you only go out for some fun on the weekends, it's still a small way to keep important memories close.

[JoshuaRoch]

When it comes down to it, picking up a used 600 can be around the same price range as a new 300. If you don't care about the speed, the 600 and the 300 have almost identical body styles, and as far as sound goes you can buy custom exhaust to mimic the 600, or make your own sound. Not to mention, the 300 gets almost twice the gas mileage, and insurance is about half price. 300 sounds like the better choice to me. XD

[dumbcat]

The 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 is a beautiful bike. Smart of them not to slap a '300' label on. Most people think it's much larger.

[Cragmontster]

"Any too often?" I love the video and how you can laugh at yourself for making a funny comment at the end! Way to go, take care and keep up the great work!

[webterrestrial]

Damn that looks sweet! I like that adjective "relaxed"

[kenmeri]

haha funny thing is im a first time biker and i went to test this bike out and its amazing i love it and im lightweight and kinda short so i highly recommend this for first timers like me!

[NaudanX]

Thats just the pressure releasing. Thats a GOOD thing. If it doesn't vent it creates a vacuum and then you can even lift the cap off and you can have your tank implode on itself.

[HolyMoleyJoelyPoley]

"Could I get a spell check on that?" - completely defused the awkward ending. HAHA!

[Driftuner]

haha true)) i also have a cbr600, but i would LOVE to ride this small thing! it just looks like so much fun!

[BlackDevil]

lucky man ._. !! i was supposed to go to the bike show today and buy it from there because today is the first day it arrived, but then i realized that my dad's flight back home is tonight :\ but hopefully i'm getting it :D

[rideforrestride]

I am glad you left in the any too often! Great review, I have a 650r and love mine.

[JoshuaRoch]

honestly Ben, if someone tells you that you will get bored with the 300, it's because they don't know how to ride it right. XD as I stated in an earlier (or later) post, If you don't care about the speed, the 600 and the 300 have almost identical body styles, and as far as sound goes you can buy custom exhaust to mimic the 600, or make your own sound. Not to mention, the 300 gets almost twice the gas mileage, and insurance is about half price. the 300 is an awesome bike, any way you slice it!!

[download]

Just got one of these. It's a lot of fun, but since it's my first bike I don't really have anything to compare it to. It pulls out of intersections and up hills at low revs no problem. Even when I'm not paying attention and leave it in 2nd gear it still pulls out without stalling (little bit of banging though).

[brennangandy]

Woo! Great looking bike, I can't decide if I am going to want the black one or the special edition!

That's what it's marketed for. A starter bike. I may just pick up a used 600. Don't care about speed much, but I like the looks, styling and the sound.