Kawasaki seems to be on a roll at EICMA 2014. After the stunning Ninja H2 and H2R, it has sprung up a surprise once again albeit in a small package with the Ninja 300 suddenly having found an unfaired sibling in form of the 2015 Kawasaki Z300.
Shedding all the plastic flourish of the Ninja 300, the new Kawasaki Z300 is a Ninja 300 without robes. Powered by the same but silken smooth 296cc parallel twin from the Ninja 300- it retains the power numbers with 39 bhp @ 11000 rpm and torque at 27 nm @ 10000 rpm. Thankfully Kawasaki hasn’t stripped the Z300 of anything except the major plastic bits. The slipper clutch still stays to avoid locking up the rear wheel in case you happen to downshift on the six speed gearbox with utter recklessness.
Other hardware including the tubular chassis, 37 mm telescopic forks, five way adjustable linked mono suspension, 290 mm front and 220 mm rear brakes are all borrowed from its faired sibling. ABS is thankfully optional on the 2015 Z300. The clip-ons have been swapped in favour of straight handlebars for a comfortable street riding position.
Weighing at 168 kgs (without ABS) and 170 kgs (with optional ABS)- the 2015 Kawasaki Z300 will be available in trademark Ninja green and metallic black or grey and metallic black shades.
Will kawasaki launch the Z300 in india?