Low base & festive season effect factors in the Kawasaki Ninja 300's 613% growth

31/10/2018 - 12:00 Kawasaki Ninja 300, Kawasaki Suvil Susvirkar

Despite being one of the most affordable Kawasaki motorcycles, the Ninja 300 hasn’t been performing in the Indian market.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 2018 blue left quarter front right quarter — With localized parts like body panels, MRF tires, alloy wheels, electricals, and lights, the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 300 retails at INR 2.98 lakh (ex-showroom) - INR 62,000 cheaper than the CBU model.

Also read: Yamaha YZF-R15 witnesses 165 percent jump in sales in September

Before the launch of the CKD model, April sales of the motorcycle fell by 87 percent (two units in April 2018 vs 15 units in April 2017). The fall continued in May as the Ninja 300 sales tanked by 93 percent (two units in May 2018 vs 28 units in May 2017). Not a single unit of the motorcycle was sold in June and July 2018. August witnessed another two unit sales.

However, with the deliveries of the locally assembled motorcycles commencing, September 2018 sales saw a massive spike. Kawasaki sold a total of 228 units of the Ninja 300 in September 2018 as against 32 units in the corresponding month last year, recording a 613 percent growth. The massive surge was due to the price cut and the addition of ABS that the model received in the country. Dealers would also be stocking ahead of Diwali when purchases are at an all-time high.

India Kawasaki launched the locally assembled Ninja 300 in the Indian market in July 2018 at an ex-showroom Delhi price tag of INR 2.98 lakh. The Ninja 300 comes with dual-channel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) along with new colours and graphics. The new colour options are lime green/ebony and candy plasma blue.

As a part of India Kawasaki’s expansion plan, the Ninja 300 also gets locally produced components that contribute to the competitive price tag. For reference, Kawasaki sold the CBU model of the motorcycle without ABS for INR 3.60 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Mechanical specifications remain identical to the CBU model, and the Ninja 300 continues with the 296 cc liquid-cooled, parallel twin cylinder, DOHC, 8-valve engine that generates 39 PS of maximum power at 11,000 rpm and 27 Nm of peak torque at 10,000 rpm. The motor is paired with a 6-speed gearbox and features assist & slipper clutch.

Stopping power comes from a 290 mm petal disc at the front and a 220 mm petal disc at the rear. Conventional, 37 mm telescopic fork with 120 mm travel and Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and 5-way adjustable pre-load with 132 mm travel perform the shock absorbing duties tasks.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 2018 blue left quarter disc brakes ABS unit — The locally assembled model comes with a dual-channel ABS as standard. The safety net was not available on the CBU version.

Also read: 2019 Kawasaki Versys 650 launched in India, priced at INR 6.69 lakh

The aggressive pricing makes the Ninja 300 an appealing deal against its direct rival, the Yamaha YZF-R3. Besides the Ninja 300, Kawasaki had also launched the Ninja 400 in India in April 2018 at INR 4.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).