2026 Kawasaki Ninja 300 Returns To US Market

Meanwhile, the Ninja 300 lived on in some markets, like India, where it is now produced. With its small-displacement model pushing closer and closer to the mid-sized segment, Kawasaki saw room for the Ninja 300 to make its return.

The engine remains the familiar 296cc liquid-cooled parallel-Twin that was employed in 2017, and its claimed performance figures of 38.9 hp at 10,000 rpm and 19.3 lb-ft. at 10,000 rpm are about the same as they were nearly a decade ago.

The chassis is also unchanged, with a steel-tube diamond frame with vibration-absorbing rubber on the front engine mounts. The front wheel is supported by a 37mm telescopic fork, while the preload-adjustable rear shock uses Kawasaki’s Uni-Track linkages-equipped system. The braking system is also familiar, with a single dual-piston caliper and 290mm disc up front, and a 220mm disc with a two-piston caliper for the rear.

The biggest update here is that ABS is now offered as standard equipment. The only other changes from the previous Ninja 300 are a larger windscreen and updating lighting.

The good news is, despite spiraling inflation from the last decade, the 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 300 has a starting price of $4,999, the exact same price as the 2017 Ninja 300 — which didn’t come with ABS standard. The bad news: the Ninja 500 still exists, and it starts at $5,399 ($5,799 with ABS). If you don’t care for ABS, the $400 price difference might not be enough to sway you towards the smaller engine. The Ninja 300 should be in showrooms now, in Pearl Blizzard White.

If you prefer a naked bike over a sportbike however, you might want to consider waiting a few more months, as we can confirm the Z300 is also returning, after receiving California Air Resources Board certification for the 2027 model year.