New Delhi: Kawasaki India has launched the Z300 in India at Rs 3.24 lakh (ex-showroom), making it the most affordable Z-series bike on sale in the country. Launched on Thursday, the naked sport bike is based on the Ninja 300 and pairs that bike’s proven 296cc parallel-twin engine with the Sugomi design language borrowed from the bigger Z900.
The launch comes as the sub-400cc street-naked segment heats up. The Z300 sits just under the faired Ninja 300 in Kawasaki’s range, and its real fight is with the KTM 390 Duke and the TVS Apache RTR 310.
Kawasaki Z300 price: cheapest Z on sale in India
At Rs 3.24 lakh (ex-showroom), the Z300 is the entry ticket to Kawasaki’s Z family in India, costing only Rs 10,000 less than the faired Ninja 300. Against its rivals the price reads differently: the 2026 KTM 390 Duke is priced at Rs 2.85 lakh (ex-showroom), making the Kawasaki Rs 38,664 more expensive than the KTM, while the TVS Apache RTR 310 undercuts it further at Rs 2.30 lakh.
Kawasaki is betting that twin-cylinder refinement and brand pull will justify the premium. The Z300 is sold in a single variant with two colour options: Candy Lime Green/Ebony and Metallic Carbon Gray/Ebony.
Engine and performance: Ninja 300’s heart
The heart of the Z300 is the same 296cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that powers the Ninja 300. It produces 39.4bhp at 11,000rpm and 26.3Nm of torque at 10,000rpm, paired with a six-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch as standard. Dual-throttle valve technology is also part of the package.
Both peaks arrive high in the rev range, so this engine rewards riders who like to work the gearbox. That is the classic small-twin character: smoother and more relaxed on the highway than any single-cylinder rival. The wide, upright single-piece handlebar makes the riding position far more comfortable than the committed crouch of the Ninja 300.
Design, features and hardware
The styling follows Kawasaki’s Sugomi design language from the Z900. The Z-shaped headlamp sits up front, flanked by large tank extensions that give the bike its muscular profile, with a step-up seat and slim tail section completing the look.
The Z300 gets a reverse LCD instrument cluster, similar to the Ninja 500’s, showing speed, rpm, fuel, coolant, clock, odometer, two trips and service information. No fancy TFT display here, which is one area where the KTM 390 Duke scores higher.
Underneath the naked bodywork, the Z300 uses the same tubular frame as the Ninja 300: a 37mm telescopic fork up front, a preload-adjustable Uni-Trak monoshock at the rear, and 290mm front plus 220mm rear petal discs with dual-channel ABS as standard on 17-inch alloys. Practical numbers include a 785mm seat height, 175kg kerb weight, 140mm of ground clearance and a generous 17-litre fuel tank, a genuine plus for touring.
Z300 vs rivals: the honest maths
- Vs KTM 390 Duke (Rs 2.85 lakh): The Duke is cheaper, quicker and loaded with electronics, but it is a single-cylinder. The Z300 offers twin-cylinder refinement and a calmer highway character.
- Vs TVS Apache RTR 310 (Rs 2.30 lakh): The Apache is the value king, nearly a lakh cheaper. The Kawasaki answers with Japanese build, badge value and that twin-cylinder engine.
- Vs Ninja 300: The faired sibling costs just Rs 10,000 more. Pick the Z300 for comfort and street presence; pick the Ninja for wind protection and track-day intent.
The buying case is not about value or features. It is about engine character and brand: buyers who have always wanted a Kawasaki and prefer a smooth twin over a frenetic single will find the Z300 an easy pick.
Who should buy the Kawasaki Z300
The Z300 suits riders upgrading from a 150-250cc single who want twin-cylinder refinement without a big-bike budget, or city riders on weekend highway runs where the upright ergonomics and 17-litre tank help. It will not win drag races against the 390 Duke, and Kawasaki knows it.
FAQs
What is the price of the Kawasaki Z300 in India?
Rs 3.24 lakh (ex-showroom), the cheapest Z-series bike in India.
What engine does the Kawasaki Z300 use?
A 296cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine shared with the Ninja 300, making 39.4bhp at 11,000rpm and 26.3Nm at 10,000rpm, paired with a six-speed gearbox and slip-and-assist clutch.
What colours is the Kawasaki Z300 available in?
Two colours: Candy Lime Green/Ebony and Metallic Carbon Gray/Ebony, both offered on a single variant.
Is the Kawasaki Z300 cheaper than the Ninja 300?
Yes, marginally: Rs 10,000 less. But it is Rs 38,664 more expensive than the KTM 390 Duke.
What are the main rivals of the Kawasaki Z300?
The KTM 390 Duke (Rs 2.85 lakh) and the TVS Apache RTR 310 (Rs 2.30 lakh), though both use single-cylinder engines.
The Z300 is not the fastest or the cheapest in its segment, but it is the smoothest way into Kawasaki’s streetfighter family. For the brand’s fans in India, the wait for an affordable twin-cylinder Z is finally over.
