From Kawasaki, the Z model designation has always been something special. From the legendary Z1 in 1972 featuring the first, mass-production DOHC four-cylinder engine through the Z1R and Z1300 of the 70s, 1982’s Z1000R replica of Eddie Lawson’s championship winning machine, the model name has been synonymous with big power and raw personality.

The new generation of Z1000s since 2003 have sought to bring a more dynamic styling and refined performance characteristic. These traits were passed on to the Z750/800 family and have created a machine that is an excellent handling package with exhilarating engine performance for road riders.

The Z300 was a natural progression for the Z family with the baby of the family sporting all but a few identical features of Australia’s best-selling motorcycle, the Ninja 300 (click to view our test here).

The differences between the Ninja and Zed are small: obviously the flat, 35mm wider handlebar with bar-mounted mirrors, slightly modified styling of the front header pipe design and the Z800-inspried fairing and side cowls.

Image: Alex Gobert.

Having a nakedbike version of a sportsbike doesn’t always make sense. Often too highly-strung in the engine and overly firm in the chassis, a transition as simple as a set of flat ’bars doesn’t always make a great nakedbike for the road. But it does in the case of the Z300.

The Z300 has all the great attributes of the Ninja – balanced handling, wide spread of power and striking looks though in a more practical-for-the-road ergonomic package.

The best aspect of the Z300 is its engine. The characteristics are ideally suited to learning riders. Throttle response from the twin, dual throttle valve fuel injector bodies is instantaneous giving a predictable, strong response.

There’s no lulls in power delivery through the rev range and the progressive increase in speed won’t throw you off the back of the bike, but it’ll get you away from the lights quicker than most cars.

Image: Alex Gobert.

The highly-efficient engine and injection system delivering a range between 3.5-4.5L/100km depending on use. And with a massive 17 litre tank between your legs, over 300km out of a tank isn’t a problem every time you fill it up.

The gearbox ratios are well spread and to speed up rapidly you won’t have to hold the throttle wide open and click through the gearbox frantically. High rpm response is strong too, and on the freeway you can cruise at 110km/h with enough punch to overtake confidently on single lane roads given a little more space than a big bike and a lot less than a 250. At freeway speeds it sits at a comfortable 7000rpm and still delivers more performance through to 10,500rpm, which is still short of redline.

The slipper clutch is a great addition for learner riders as a safety measure. Go down a gear too many and you wont get rear wheel lock up. Additionally, the ABS brakes intervene when they need to yet don’t detract from a sharp and precise braking feel.

While the Z300 may be Kawasaki’s smallest nakedbike, like the Ninja, there is plenty of room for tall riders to sit comfortably, a very narrow width between the legs and a reasonable seat height that won’t have shorter riders struggling for get to the ground. The bike is light too and doesn’t feel as heavy as its 168kg claimed wet weight carrying its weight low in the chassis.

Source: Kawasaki Motors.

The wide and flat handlebar creates a much more comfortable triangle than the Ninja, especially for taller riders, and the lack of full fairing does little to affect the bike’s performance on the open road but you will obviously feel a bit more of windblast on the freeway.

The Z300’s handling is agile, sharp and firm. The suspension, though lacking all but preload adjustment on the rear, is dialed in for a firm and compliant ride, yet is not anything like harsh. Up front is a 37mm fork and at the rear a monoshock with linkage. From hard stops and starts, bumpy back roads or tight, winding passes, the Z300’s chassis has excellent control – a great attribute for such a basic set-up to have.

At the end of the day, success in this market segment doesn’t come down to performance alone – price is equally important. In that respect, the Z300 at $5999 is excellent value for money. Not only for the reasons of how well the bike performs, but also aesthetically. Cast an eye over it and see the excellent quality of finish on paint and castings, the racer-like petal brake discs and multifunction LCD instrument display – there’s a lot of value there in such a well-priced machine.

All in all the Z300 is a machine deserving of the Zed family name for the fact that it packs power and style in a very striking package – power that leads the 300cc class that is!

Source: Kawasaki Motors.

Specifications

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke parallel-twin
Capacity: 296cc
Bore x stroke: 62 x 49mm
Compression ratio: 10.6:1
Claimed power: 29kW @11,500rpm
Claimed torque: 27Nm @10,000rpm
Wet weight: 168kg
Seat height: 785mm
Wheelbase: 1405mm
Fuel tank capacity: 17L
Colours: Metallic Raw Graystone/ Metallic Flat Spark Black & Candy Flat Blazed Green/ Metallic Spark Black.
Price: $5999 + ORC
Detailed specs: www.kawasaki.com.au