Yamaha R3 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300 – Shootout

Shootout: Yamaha R3 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300

Shootout No. 198

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 4,10,000/- (Yamaha R3), Rs. 3,73,000/- (Kawasaki Ninja 300)

The Yamaha R3 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300 are one of the finest Japanese motorcycles you can buy in the Indian market

Quarter-litre Japanese motorcycles have been in the market for quite some time but KTM has dominated this segment in India. Finally, after a long wait, all the quarter-litre motorcycles now get ABS and we pit Yamaha against its classic rival Kawasaki. Well, this fight has been going on for quite some time but due to the localisation of the Ninja 300 and changes in the R3, the battle now seems fresh. So which one of these fully-faired quarter-litre Japanese motorcycles win the battle? Who would you spend your money on?

Motor Quest: The Yamaha R3 was re-launched at the 2018 Auto Expo with a list of updates. Introduction of ABS was the major one while BS4 compliant engine and new stickier Metzelers completed the list. Kawasaki, on the other hand, had different plans as they launched the Ninja 300 with a crazy price drop. Localisation of parts, a new set of tyres from MRF and ABS led to the change. While Kawasaki also introduced a new colour scheme with different graphics for the update.

Styling – One will be able to notice that not much has changed on the design front. The Ninja 300 continues with the same styling since the last 5 years but gets new graphics. It also gets a new colour scheme and yet it looks attractive. It is the same case with the Yamaha R3, as it has had the same styling elements and design from the time it was launched. However, if you notice in detail, the blue colour is now darker and resembles the shade from Yamaha’s MotoGP bikes. Both the bikes have started to show their age, however, the 2019 Yamaha R3 has been unveiled and looks promising. But it will take another year to make its way to India. While for the Ninja 300, the elder Ninja 400 is here with a fresh styling that goes along with new Ninja line-up.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The instrument cluster on the Yamaha R3 is an analogue-digital unit. It is the same unit we had seen on the earlier motorcycle, however, this one houses an extra tell-tale LED for the ABS. The design still looks fresh and it is very well integrated while it is easy to read. The analogue unit is the tachometer while everything else is included within the digital unit. Engine temperature, fuel gauge, clock, twin trip meters, odometer, speedometer, gear-position indicator and fuel consumption, all of these are included in the digital unit. It gets a shift light too which is positioned very well. The quality of the switchgear is also decent on the Yamaha R3.

The instrument cluster on the Ninja 300 has had no changes at all. However, it looks colourful as compared to the one on the R3. It also gets an analogue-digital unit where the tachometer is analogue and rest of the details are included in the digital unit. Unlike the R3, the Ninja 300 has the digital unit in a separate section while the tell-tale lights make it very colourful. It displays all the information like the Yamaha R3 but misses out on a gear position indicator and engine temperature. The switchgear on the Kawasaki feels good too even though localisation has had a slight effect on the quality.

Ergonomics – Both the Japanese rivals have a similar riding posture, comfortable and slightly leaned in. But the Kawasaki Ninja 300 feels smaller as the overall dimensions are lesser than the Yamaha R3. Both the bikes have an accessible seat height but the Ninja is 5 mm taller making the Yamaha easy to get on to. On the other hand, the ground clearance of the Yamaha R3 is better than the Ninja 300. The larger 17-litre fuel tank is more useful on the Ninja than the 14-litre tank on the R3. Pillion comfort on both the bikes isn’t the best but the Ninja gets an out-of-the-box grab rail, giving something to hold onto for the pillion on the Ninja. The Ninja 300 also gets better rearview mirrors as you can see what’s behind. It’s a difficult case on the R3 if you have a jacket on.

Performance – On paper, the Yamaha R3 is more powerful and same is the case on the road as well. While both the motorcycles hit the ton in under 6 seconds, the R3 does it slightly faster. The Ninja 300, however being 1.8 BHP and 2.6 Nm less, has a higher redline than the Yamaha R3. Both the twin-cylinder motors rev freely and are very refined. The Yamaha has a punchy low-end and a strong mid-range while the Kawasaki’s motor wakes up only in the top-end. Both these engines are liquid-cooled while the heat dissipation on the Ninja is slightly better than that on the R3. While gearing is adequately tall, there is not much to differentiate and both the bikes return the same fuel efficiency of 20-24 km/l.

Both bikes have a parallel-twin rumble, yet the R3 is louder than the Ninja 300

The Ninja 300 has an advantage with a slipper clutch while both the bikes come with a 6-speed gearbox. The Yamaha has very crisp gearshifts but the clutch feels heavy than that on the Ninja 300. NVH levels are very well contained in both these motorcycles. However, the Ninja feels smoother and calm while the R3 has some vibrations kicking in at the low-end. The R3’s engine is more suited for daily riding while the Ninja’s motor is made for the track as all the power comes in the top-end. Both the motorcycles sound really good, the twin rumble is soothing while the R3 has a louder exhaust note than the Ninja 300.

Riding Dynamics – We can say that both the R3 and the Ninja 300 are clones of each other. As both come with a diamond frame, cheap box section swingarm, similar ergonomics and a very similar riding posture. However, it is the suspension setup that changes a few things around. Like the Ninja 300 has a slightly stiffer suspension setup and this aids for better handling. It also provides better feedback while cornering or riding through traffic. The Yamaha R3 has a softer suspension setup which is more suited for touring capabilities. While this setup is more complaint to Indian roads as well. The footpegs are slightly higher on the Ninja 300 giving it better cornering clearance.

Yamaha R3 stays comfortable and fast while the Ninja 300 is sharp and flickable

Both the motorcycles got better tyres after the update, however, the ones on the R3 are way better than that on the Ninja 300. The Metzeler rubber is stickier and more confidence inspiring than the MRF. Although, it is the same case for the brakes as well. The feedback from the petal discs on the Ninja isn’t as great as the ones on the R3. With the updated brakes and ABS though, the Ninja now has enough stopping. However, as an overall package, the brakes on the R3 are just better. The Yamaha manages to be more comfortable while that Ninja feels more manoeuvrable.

Verdict – One of the few reasons to buy either of these motorcycles is the parallel-twin engine which offers great performance. Appealing to the current generation, both the Japanese twin-cylinders are now hardware rich. Both of them have dual-channel ABS while the Ninja 300 has a slipper clutch and the R3 offers better tyres and brakes. The Ninja 300 is also Rs. 50,000/- cheaper than the Yamaha R3 due to localisation. But the outright performance keeps the R3 appealing for its price. Picking one of these Japanese rivals is solely based on the rider’s preference of the brand. While the Ninja 300 has started to show its age, the R3’s update has already been announced. Getting one of these bikes is purely for the adrenaline rush they offer while being calm and composed.

Testers’ Note: