A Beloved Entry-Level Motorcycle Is Finally Returning to Our Shores

American riders have not been able to savor the stylings of this scrappy little ninjutsu practitioner since 2017.

Rear wheel and exhaust system of a green motorcycle, showing the black tire with green rim accents, disc brake, and part of the engine and footrest assembly. The motorcycle is on its kickstand on a paved surface with a white wall background.

Published August 22, 2025

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Were they to update the 1967 classic The Graduate, and I somehow landed the role of Mr. McGuire, I would look Benjamin Braddock in the eye and say: “Two words. Small displacement.”

See, just as that character saw plastics as the future nearly 60 years ago, in 2025 I can’t stop beating the drum for smaller, more approachable motorcycles, particularly in the US, where they are sorely lacking.

Sporty Kawasaki Ninja 300 motorcycle in black and silver with neon yellow accents, featuring aerodynamic fairings, a clear windshield, and disc brakes on both wheels. — Not unlike with the Ninja 500, you maybe able to get a Ninja 300 that’s *not* the polarizing lime green colorway — such as this Metallic Moondust Gray option that’s currently available in India.

As the motorcycle market continues to diversify, there’s money to be made connecting with new demographics, including riders who are newer, shorter and sometimes female.

Let me tell you, Harley and Indian not offering a single motorcycle (yet) with an engine smaller than 975cc ain’t cutting it.

However, a brand on the other side of the world may have heard my advice to the next generation. Because it appears Kawasaki is bringing the Ninja 300 back to America next year.

Small bike, big news

I can sense you wondering: Why is this exciting? I mean, Kawasaki already offers a pretty approachable Ninja 500 in the US, right?

That is correct. That bike replaced the Ninja 400 in 2024, after it replaced the Ninja 300 in 2018.

I’m really rooting for the Candy Lime Green edition to make it over here — nice mix of heritage and heavy black.

Kawasaki

While the 500 has its charms, the smaller and lighter 300 was a different kind of animal, a stepping stone to mastering fundamentals, really learning your stuff before going bigger.

It was also just 50cc bigger than the little Suzuki I rode around in a parking lot to get my license, before taking on NYC traffic in abject terror on the back of a used 865cc Triumph Bonneville T100.

Green and black Kawasaki Ninja 300 sport motorcycle with aerodynamic fairings, disc brakes, and a sleek exhaust system. — I dare say this contoured yet aggressive silhouette is one of the more badass-looking in the 300cc class.

Ironically, that was in 2016, so I actually could have snagged a Ninja 300, but I was too enamored of retro-styled naked bikes to even consider something so seemingly aggressive and, you know, lime green.

Maybe I’ll get to make up for lost time soon, as Motorcycle.com’s document detectives have used California Air Resources Board paperwork to determine that the Ninja 300 will very likely be revived stateside next year.

Size matters

We will have to wait and see just how this Ninja will look and perform. But it is not a total mystery considering the fact Kawasaki still sells a 300 in India and some other markets.

Assuming the US version is derived from that one, we’ll be looking at a 296cc parallel twin engine delivering smooth, torquey power at low to medium revs and more potent acceleration at higher rpm — or so Kawasaki says.

A black Kawasaki motorcycle engine with silver exhaust pipes extending from the front. The engine has a sleek, modern design with visible bolts and components, set against a dark gradient background. — For the record, this 296cc engine makes a respectable 39 ps at 11,000 rep and 26.1 Nm at 10,000 rpm.

Riding the bike will be even easier than it was last decade thanks to an assist and slipper clutch, which limits back torque and makes the clutch lever more responsive, requiring just a light pull to engage and let you shift gears.

Also easing the riding experience are a curb weight of ~386 pounds and an approachable seat height of 30.9 inches, plus a forward-slanting seat and wide raised bars that lend themselves to a natural, comfortable riding position.

A person wearing a black and green Kawasaki motorcycle jacket, matching helmet, gloves, and dark pants is seated on a bright green Kawasaki Ninja 300 motorcycle. The motorcycle features black and white accents with yellow stripes, and has a sporty design with visible disc brakes and a large exhaust pipe. The background is an indoor setting with glass and metal railings. — The handlebars, seat and peg position combine to keep the riding position sporty but comfortable.

The bike also offers petal disc brakes with dual-piston calipers as well as ABS, which will keep you from fishtailing in a hard braking situation.

One other thing I kind of dig is the large, analog tachometer between the bars, complemented by a multi-function LCD screen offering a speedometer, clock, fuel gauge, dual trip meters, odometer and fuel efficiency metrics.

Motorcycle dashboard featuring an analog tachometer with a redline starting at 13,000 RPM and a digital display showing speed (0 km/h), clock (12:00), trip meter (0.0), and fuel gauge. Indicator lights include turn signals, neutral, oil, battery, high beam, and warning icons. The ignition key is inserted in the lock below the dashboard. — I kind of love this huge tachometer, complemented by a few other bits of key data on the LCD screen.

Seems like the perfect blend of old and new, which makes sense as the brand tries to lure new riders to an iconic sport bike nameplate with a history going back to 1984. You know, when the one-word key to the future was “Apple.”

Availability and pricing

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is currently available in India (and a few other places) for ₹3,43,000.00, roughly $3,929. It should be returning to the US next year, but at what price point, only time will tell.

Green and black Kawasaki Ninja 300 sport motorcycle with aerodynamic fairings, front disc brakes, and a sleek, sporty design.

2025 Kawasaki Ninja 300

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.