Kawasaki India has pulled the trigger on its most talked-about streetfighter of the year. The all-new Z300 opens for bookings across the country today, October 19, and the company will reveal the official price and full specifications tomorrow, October 20. It is the green brand’s biggest play in the sub-Rs 3 lakh bracket in years, and the timing could not be more deliberate.
The Z300 was shown to dealer partners at a private preview in Bengaluru earlier this month, and the chatter since then has been constant. This is Kawasaki doing something it rarely does in India: putting a twin-cylinder engine into a package aimed at everyday street riders, rather than saving its parallel twins for premium, faired machines.
A twin-cylinder heart in a streetfighter body
At the core of the Z300 sits the familiar 296cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine from the Ninja 300, paired with a six-speed gearbox. On the Ninja, the motor makes around 39 PS of power and 26.1 Nm of torque, and industry watchers expect the Z300 to land in the same ballpark, though Kawasaki has not confirmed the final output figures yet.
What changes is everything around it. Gone is the Ninja’s full fairing and committed riding posture. The Z300 wears Kawasaki’s Sugomi-inspired streetfighter styling, with a muscular fuel tank, sharp headlamp cowl and a wide, upright handlebar. It is meant to look like a shrunken Z900, and in person, that is exactly the effect it seems to create.
The electronics package is where the new bike finally steps into the present. A colour TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity replaces the Ninja 300’s ageing semi-digital console, and dual-channel ABS comes standard. LED lighting is expected across the range, along with 17-inch wheels and petal disc brakes at both ends.
Colours, booking and what happens tomorrow
Kawasaki will offer the Z300 in two colours: Lime Green and Black. Bookings open today through authorised Kawasaki dealerships across India, and the company held preview showcases for prospective buyers in Mumbai and Pune over the weekend, building on the initial Bengaluru dealer preview.
Tomorrow, October 20, is when the real story lands. Kawasaki will announce the official price, variant details and the complete specification sheet. Industry estimates put the expected ex-showroom price under Rs 3 lakh, which would make the Z300 notably cheaper than the Ninja 300, currently priced around Rs 3.34 lakh ex-showroom.
The rivals are not standing still
The sub-Rs 3 lakh streetfighter space is arguably the most competitive corner of the Indian motorcycle market right now. The Z300 walks straight into a fight with some very sharp rivals:
- KTM 390 Duke: Around Rs 2.84 lakh ex-showroom, with 40.9 PS and 33.5 Nm from a single-cylinder engine, plus a long electronics list including ride modes, cornering ABS, traction control, launch control and a quickshifter.
- TVS Apache RTR 310: Priced from about Rs 2.30 lakh to Rs 2.97 lakh, with 35.6 PS and 28.7 Nm, and available with cruise control, TPMS and adjustable suspension on higher variants.
On paper, both rivals offer more torque and a deeper electronics menu than what Kawasaki has confirmed so far for the Z300. The Kawasaki’s counter is a different one: the refinement, soundtrack and smoothness that only a twin-cylinder engine delivers, something no single-cylinder rival can imitate at any price.
What we would check before booking
With the price still under wraps, here is what prospective buyers should watch when the official announcement drops tomorrow:
- The final price: Anything at or below Rs 3 lakh makes it the most accessible twin-cylinder motorcycle in India. A number closer to Rs 3.2 lakh would dull the appeal.
- Kerb weight: The Ninja 300 weighs around 179 kg. A naked bike should be lighter, which would help performance and city agility.
- The rest of the electronics: Traction control, riding modes and a slipper clutch are all on the wish list, but none are confirmed yet.
- Service costs: Twin-cylinder ownership brings higher maintenance bills than a single. Kawasaki’s spares pricing will matter for long-term owners.
FAQs
When do Kawasaki Z300 bookings open?
Bookings open today, October 19, 2026, at authorised Kawasaki dealerships across India. The official price and full specifications will be announced tomorrow, October 20.
What is the expected price of the Kawasaki Z300?
Industry estimates suggest an ex-showroom price under Rs 3 lakh, which would undercut the Ninja 300’s roughly Rs 3.34 lakh price tag. The official figure arrives tomorrow.
What engine does the Kawasaki Z300 use?
The Z300 is expected to use the same 296cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine as the Ninja 300, producing around 39 PS and 26.1 Nm, mated to a six-speed gearbox.
Which bikes will the Z300 compete against?
Its key rivals are the KTM 390 Duke and the TVS Apache RTR 310, both established single-cylinder streetfighters in the sub-Rs 3 lakh bracket.
What colours will the Kawasaki Z300 be available in?
The Z300 will be sold in two colour options: Lime Green and Black.
The wait, at least for the headline number, is down to hours now. If Kawasaki prices the Z300 aggressively, tomorrow could mark the day twin-cylinder motorcycling became genuinely affordable in India. We will be watching the announcement closely.
