Let’s an example: The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 300 was part of a generation of Ninja 300 bikes from Kawasaki starting in the 2015 model year. The 2017 model year was the last of this particular specification.
It had a top speed of 106mph and was a popular choice for its reliable engine, fun riding style, and accessibility for riders of all levels.
This article answers the question: “How Much Is A Kawasaki Ninja 300?”…
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How Much Is A 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 300?
For a used 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 300, you should expect to pay, around $4500 and $5000 when it comes with the additional options. If it is a base model or has unusually high mileage, you could pay around $3,100-$4,000 for it. The price will depend on specification and mileage most of all.
If the current owner is selling a slightly upgraded or modified version, that will factor into the cost as well.
Price of New Model
You can only still get brand-new Kawasaki Ninja 300 models in select markets around the world.
One of those markets is India where a new Ninja 300 (BS6 model) will cost you 318,000 rupees, or $4,361.
The model was discontinued in the US, Canadian, UK, and other major markets in favor of the Ninja 400, which had higher emissions standards and was better able to meet the demands and regulations of those marketplaces.
Used Price
The prices of used Kawasaki Ninja 300 motorcycles do depend greatly on the particular model year and current odometer reading.
Below are some ideas of what you might pay according to cycletrader.com
- 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 with 30,000 miles on the odometer – asking $3,250
- 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 300 with 2,999 miles on the odometer – asking $3,999
- 2016 Kawasaki Ninja 300 with 14,730 miles on the odometer – asking $4,500
- 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 300 with 11,581 miles on the odometer – asking $4,797
This shows that the pricing is very much down to the individual seller and what they think they will likely get for the bike based on its condition.
In many markets, some may be contending with the “unavailability factor” among those who want to collect the Ninja 300 or add it to their collection.
As it’s no longer available in their own market, it becomes rarer and harder to get hold of.
The 300 has a strong desirability factor too, even for used models because of their well-known reliability.
There are many stories of users hitting very high milestones in the bike’s mileage with no reports of any serious defect.
The bike is said to be durable even in the harshest conditions, as well.
Is It More Cost Effective To Buy Used Vs New?
Clearly, if you are in India and you have a spare $5,000 you can pick up a brand-new 2021 model of a Ninja 300 and enjoy all the benefits of that latest model.
With many motorcycles, it can be very hit and miss as to whether the bike has been treated well, maintained properly, or overtaxed in its lifetime.
They can be easily cleaned up to look like new but may be housing fundamental problems.
If you are worried about the quality or reliability of any pre-owned Kawasaki Ninja 300 then it’s not worth the risk.
The potential savings are not always very significant, and if you have to make repairs or even end up buying an entirely new motorcycle, then the entire exercise of buying a used bike is pointless.
Fortunately, used Kawasaki Ninjas are usually in very good condition. In some markets, you may have no choice other than to buy the bike brand new.
This is because the Ninja 300 was discontinued in favor of the Ninja 400.
A brand-new Kawasaki Ninja 400 in the US starts at an MSRP of $4,999.
So, when you factor in the greater emissions standards of the 400, and the other performance benefits like a slightly larger engine, as well as the surprisingly high prices of low-mileage Ninja 300 models, it may be more worthwhile buying a Ninja 400.
Is The Ninja 300 Worth Buying?
There is no doubt at all that the Kawasaki Ninja 300 was a great bike.
Many previous owners and users have lauded the bike’s surprising power, high level of reliability, and the general fun and enjoyment one could have while riding it.
The bike came with many great features like the Slipper clutch and was still very similar in power and performance to the subsequent Ninja 400.
The fact is that the Ninja 300 wasn’t replaced because it was a bad bike, but just that it was hard to meet a very specific and demanding emissions standard.
This being the case, it’s neither accurate nor fair to think of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 as a “lesser” bike compared to the 400.
Don’t let the extra ccs of the 400 fool you. The 300 was powerful, fast, easy to control with the new clutch, and built with the signature reliability for which future (now present) Kawasaki Ninja models became known.
Therefore, if you want to own a performance sportbike with great speed, acceleration, and power, the same angular Ninja design that people love, and a host of the same great features that people generally like about the 400, then the Ninja 300 is worth buying.
If, on the other hand, the Ninja 300 would have trouble in your home market of passing an emissions test and therefore either being declared not roadworthy, or taxed at a much higher rate, then it’s not really worth it.
In this case, the Ninja 400 would be a much more sensible purchase.
Why Was The Ninja 300 Discontinued? (Euro4)
Some may perceive that the Ninja 300 was discontinued because a bigger, better Ninja bike came along to take its place.
That certainly seemed to be the story people remember when the 300 came along to improve on the 250.
In fact, the real primary reason that the Ninja 300 was discontinued was to do with getting the Ninja to comply with new Euro 4 emissions standards.
The 300 had complied with previous standards but was struggling with the new generation of emission level requirements.
This presented Kawasaki with a dilemma: either they kept the 300 and explored other markets like India (which they have done), and forget about those markets in Europe, or they would need a more future-proofed model that could continue to sell in Europe.
They chose the latter strategy.
The result was the Ninja 400, which eventually replaced the 300 in most markets.
It’s clear that emissions were the main driving force behind it when you look at the differences between the bikes.
The 300 and 400 share many similarities, but the main difference was just in emissions.
This is why the 400 is still worth buying in those markets where the 300 was “denounced” for its failure to meet Euro 4 standards.
How Old Should The Ninja 300 Be When You Buy It To Get The Best Value?
It’s quite hard to judge based solely on the age of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 just how much you’ll have to pay.
In general, however, the traditional rules of thumb can apply, such as models from the first 2012-2013 years having a much higher mileage on average than those from recent years.
A good balance of newness with mileage and features should fall around the 2015-2017 model years.
These are the “sweet spot” in terms of price being cheaper than a new 400 now, but with very similar features and reliability ratings.
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