new bikes launched in 2013

A while ago, we brought you buzz about a brand new entry level motorcycle in Japanese motorcycle major Kawasaki’s global sportsbike line up, in the form of the Ninja 300R. This very motorcycle is heading to US shores later this year, at a price of S4,799, which is about $ 600 greater than the price at which the 2012 model year version of the Ninja 250R used to sell for. So, the bigger engined model, which produces significantly more power is just about INR 35,000 higher than the smaller engined model, which has us a little excited.

 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300R Sports Motorcycle FrontIn India, Bajaj Auto, Kawasaki’s Indian partner, sells the Ninja 250R at a price of about INR 3 lakhs. The 2012 Ninja 250R is imported into the country through the completely knocked down(CKD) route, with kits arriving from Thailand, and later being assembled by Bajaj Auto at Chakan, in the India Kawasaki Motor assembly facility. Now that the 2013 Ninja 250R is due for India, we’re wondering whether Bajaj Auto will decide to play Santa Claus and launch the bigger engined 300cc version, at the same price or with a modest price increase to the tune of about INR 30,000 or so.

2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300R Sports Motorcycle Profile

Bajaj Auto, has had a long and colorful history of extreme competitive pricing, undercutting the competition every now and then. The Ninja 250R though, with its high price tag, has never been seen as value-for-money. Rather, it has been a motorcycle that is a flagship sportsbike in Bajaj Auto’s range along with the Ninja 650R. However, Bajaj has once again played the value card by pricing the 2012 version of the Ninja 650R very competitively. So, the expectations are at an all time high, for Bajaj Auto to bring the 300cc version, which is a step up from the Ninja 250R.

2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300R Sports Motorcycle Rear

The 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300R comes with a 296cc, parallel twin cylinder engine that churns out a peak power of 39 Bhp at 11,000 rpm and a peak torque of 27 Nm at 10,000 rpm. The engine is liquid cooled, features a DOHC layout driving 4 valves and is mated to a 6 speed gearbox. With those power and torque figures, performance too is expected to be a step above the Ninja 250R. The Ninja 300R is available in ABS and non-ABS variants globally. The big question remains whether Bajaj Auto will bring the bigger engined model to India. History, seems to suggest that this is likely as Bajaj has been quick to give the Indian motorcycle enthusiast nifty upgrades. We have our fingers crossed.