After years of unchallenged domination, the best-selling Ninja® 250R sportbike gets better to stay at the top. The new 2013 Ninja 300 SE thoroughly dominates its lightweight sportbike competition on the performance front, and it also significantly ups 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 SE 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, crisp throttle response and better fuel economy than last year’s bike.
This new engine has nearly 50% of its parts upgraded from the previous model. In addition to its new long-stroke 296cc displacement, other engine upgrades include: new intake ports that taper from 1mm wider at the throttle body to .5mm wider at the valve seat, new 23.6mm intake valves that are 1mm larger than last year, a new cam chain that offers reduced friction, a revised 10.6:1 compression ratio that allows the use of regular gasoline and lowers operating temperatures, and new lighter pistons that feature a hard anodized coating for reduced friction and increased performance at all rpms.
A revised six-speed transmission features thicker gears to help cope with the extra torque from the 300’s new engine. The transmission also features Kawasaki’s positive neutral finder to make finding neutral a cinch when stopped. This efficient engine and transmission help the Ninja 300 SE provide plenty of enjoyment from the initial learning curve, all the way through advanced sport riding, track days, and club racing.
Operating that transmission is now easier than ever, thanks to a new F.C.C. clutch with assist and slipper functions. This new clutch reduces lever effort by up to 25%, while increasing the clutch’s ability to handle the extra torque generated by the 300’s more powerful engine. The new clutch’s slipper design also helps reduce rear wheel-hop that can be caused by aggressive downshifting.
New bodywork inspired by the Ninja ZX™-10R superbike, provides cutting-edge styling, as well as effective heat management and superb aerodynamics. The Ninja 300 SE not only looks great, but also features a new floating windscreen design to help minimize buffeting and provide a smoother airflow around the rider’s helmet.
The Ninja 300 SE’s all-new instrument panel features a large easy-to-read analog tachometer and a digital multifunction display with speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, and digital clock functions. The new instrument panel also features indicator lights, while the digital screen incorporates a handy economical riding indicator (ECO) that illuminates to alert riders when they are operating the Ninja 300 SE in a manner that will maximize fuel economy.
A natural riding position and comfortable ergonomics combine with lightweight handling and nimble response to deliver pure pleasure everywhere from city streets and highways, to twisty backroads and even racetracks. Contributing to this great handling package are the new full-size, 17-inch, 10-spoke wheels.
Lightweight and agile, the Ninja 300 SE delivers low ownership costs coupled with effortless class-leading performance!
