Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater
Kawasaki introduced the Ninja 300 late last year, and they're now in dealerships. As soon as I read the spec, I was intrigued: a more-poweful version of the bike I like so much, with fuel injection, 17-inch wheels, and the possibility of ABS. My interest was further piqued when I read the numerous reviews, which seemed to be pretty positive. One of the things that catches my attention from the reviews: reviewers were able to achieve shockingly high gas mileage (in the 60s and 70s on average, with trips up past 100 by riding carefully), which is my holy grail, and one of the primary reasons I like my 250 so much.
Of course, the new Ninja 300 is $4800 list, and $5500 if you want the Special Edition, which is the only way to get ABS. When I bought my 2006 Ninja 250, it was two years before the end of that model (it was dramatically restyled and redesigned for the 2008 model year), and it had a list price of $3000. I think I got the bike out the door for $3500, plus another ~$500 or so in parts, getting it set up with new suspension bits and brake lines (which are absolutely required for the old-style 250 to be a real motorcycle).
The new Ninja 300 is, however, also a largely rebuilt bike. It still has clear Ninja 250 ancestry, but lots of the pieces have been dramatically upgraded, and it's now styled in the modern Kawasaki style vs. looking like something that was designed in the 80s (because it was designed in the 80s). I quite like how my 250 looks, but it is also quite dated-looking. The new 300 includes fuel injection (a huge upgrade), and 17" wheels (allowing a huge range of tires to be fitted, vs. the 2 or 3 types that are available for the 16" Ninja 250). If you spring for the SE version, it includes ABS, something I've been wanting for years.
I don't care even slightly about the styling, but the technical upgrades (and I haven't mentioned the increased power and torque, which apparently make a huge difference) are pretty compelling. I don't know that they're $5000+ compelling, but I decided today that I should investigate further.
I stopped by my local Kawasaki dealership, and spent about half an hour looking over a triumvirate of Ninja 300s: a Special Edition ugly-green model, a black, and a white. They're identical, except for color, and the fact that the SE model has ABS. It was a good chance to check out the things I was curious about, but the reviews hadn't really touched on.
The seat, for instance, unlocks and lifts, but only the passenger section, which is completely separate from the driver's seat. Under the seat is a small flip-up tray, suitable for small items like a cell phone or tiny packable jacket. Under that is a larger area, which houses the tool kit, with a surprisingly large (like, tire patching kit large, not helmet large) space which is unoccupied. The design of the passenger seat makes it clear to me that I could manufacture a cargo plate to replace it fairly easily, which is good: I'd been worried about how I would carry stuff if I replaced my trusty 250.
The dashboard includes a welcome set of information: tachometer is front and center, with a digital speedometer (which can be switched back and forth between MPH and km/h), fuel gauge, clock (thank you!), two trip meters and odometer. It doesn't include a coolant gauge -- although I've never needed it, I've always been interested to keep track of my coolant temperature, and I'm a bit sad to see it gone. The salesdude said that the backlight on the digital section (which is quite bright) can't be dimmed, which is unfortunate for night riding, when I fear it will be a distractingly bright light in peripheral vision. It may be low enough to be out of my sight line, though.
The 300 has two headlights (again, thank you!), and "city lights" (little marker bulbs that come on regardless of whether the headlight is on or not). Unfortunately, only the right headlight is illuminated on low beam. Fortunately, high beam adds the left light, rather than turning off the right light and lighting up the left. This should be a good addition to the visibility of the bike. Unfortunately, they still have a single incandescent bulb for the tail/brake light, so among my first changes would be to add LED tail lights.
The 300, happily, has human-sized suspension components. That is to say, the springs are set up for a real rider, instead of the impossibly light rider the engineers apparently envisioned for the original 250. Sitting on the 300 doesn't feel like sitting on a toy bike. The parts manager I was talking to pointed out that the new rubber brake lines are much stiffer than the old style, and that I wouldn't need to replace the line first thing (that was on my "required" list for the old style 250, along with new suspension springs).
The 300 doesn't include a centerstand (although I'm sure Kawasaki will sell you a kit for $300 or something), but that's not the end of the world. The oil filter, although a welcome external filter instead of the old internal filter, is positioned so it perfectly drains all over the exhaust pipe. I don't really understand that choice -- it creates a fire hazard, which you'd think Kawasaki's lawyers would be keen to avoid. The mechanic I talked to for about 15 minutes suggested that the 300 was far easier to set up than the old 250s were, which is encouraging news for someone who's intending to do all his own maintenance. I was a bit disappointed to see that, although Kawasaki has equipped the bike with a high-beam flasher, it still doesn't include a four-way flasher (which, on my 250, is a simple matter of swapping out a switch pod). I hope the upgrade remains as simple.
It was satisfying to see the bike in person, and sit on it. I was pleased to discover that the 300 doesn't have the new 250's distressingly "slide you forward" seat design, which would make quick stops potentially quite painful. I deeply wish the ABS were available in any color instead of only Kawasaki's trademark "arrest me" neon green. Company pride is fine, but don't force me to participate in it. Although I have very limited ego invested in what my motorcycle looks like, it does extend as far as not having bright green as the primary color.
I'll be headed back when there's a bit more time in the day (I went close to closing time), and take a test ride. I'm very curious to see what my impressions are, although I will most likely regret doing it, and be much more excited about parting with my hard-earned cash. It looks like a fine upgrade, and one I'm interested in for my own sake, as well as one I want to signal to Kawasaki is a good direction.
Posted at 19:39 permanent link category: /motorcycle
Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater