[visordown.com] - Kawasaki Z300 unveiled

[Ninjette Newsbot]

KAWASAKI has just unveiled it's third surprise new sub-500cc bike for 2015, the Z300.

A naked version of the Ninja 300 using the same tubular steel chassis and 296cc parallel-twin engine, it makes a claimed 39hp and 19.9lbft of torque.

The engine shares identical specifications with the Ninja 300's revvy motor, while Kawasaki says the styling is inspired by bigger machines in the Z range.

The wheels, brakes and suspension components are also the same as the Ninja 300's.

That means it's got 37mm forks, a preload adjustable shock and a single 290mm petal-style front brake disc with a twin-piston caliper.

Straight handlebars replace the Ninja's clip-ons for a more relaxed riding position.

Visordown predicted the arrival of the Z300 back in January 2013, when the Z250 – a smaller-bore version of the same bike – was unveiled for Asian markets.

The Z300 was unveiled today at the Eicma Milan motorcycle show alongside Kawasaki's two surprise new single-cylinder offerings, the Ninja 250SL and Z250SL.

The Z300 has a kerb weight of 168kg or 170kg with optional ABS.

It's expected to cost around £5,000 and comes in green and metallic black or grey and metallic black.

Here are the full specifications from Kawasaki's release:

ENGINE

ER300AFF/BFF


Type

Displacement

Bore and Stroke

Compression ratio

Valve system

Fuel system


Ignition

Starting

Lubrication



Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Parallel Twin

296 cm3

62.0 x 49.0 mm

10.6:1

DOHC, 8 valves

Fuel injection: φ32 mm x 2,

with dual throttle valves

Digital

Electric

Forced lubrication, wet sump

DRIVETRAIN



Transmission

Final drive

Primary reduction ratio

Gear ratios: 1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Final reduction ratio

Clutch



6-speed, return

Chain

3.087 (71/23)

2.714 (38/14)

1.789 (34/19)

1.409 (31/22)

1.160 (29/25)

1.000 (27/27)

0.857 (24/28)

3.000 (42/14)

Wet multi-disc, manual


FRAME



Type

Wheel travel: front

rear

Tyre: front

rear

Caster (rake)

Trail

Steering angle (left/right)



Tube diamond, steel

120 mm

132 mm

110/70-17M/C 54S

140/70-17M/C 66S

26o

82 mm

35o / 35o




SUSPENSION

ER300AFF/BFF


Front:


Rear:



φ37 mm telescopic fork


Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and adjustable preload


BRAKES



Front: Type

Caliper

Rear: Type

Caliper



Single φ290 mm petal disc

Single balanced actuation dual-piston

Single φ220 mm petal disc

Dual-piston


DIMENSIONS



Overall length

Overall width

Overall height

Wheelbase

Ground clearance

Seat height

Curb mass


Fuel capacity



2,015 mm

750 mm

1,025 mm

1,405 mm

145 mm

785 mm

168 kg (ER300A)

170 kg (ER300B)

17 litres


PERFORMANCE



Maximum power



Maximum torque



29.0 kW {39 PS} / 11,000 min-1 (EUR)


27.0 Nm {2.8 kgm} / 10,000 min-1 (EUR)









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