Back to catalog
Kawasaki
Ninja 300
EX300·
2012-2018
sport
Value
Before you buy
- Learner legal
- LAMS Yes, every version sold here is LAMS approved.
- On the registers as
EX300A- Watch for
-
- ABS valve contamination (recall REC-000752, 2012-2013 bikes)
- Running cost
- $3.5k–$5.5k used est. Sep 2026
Price (AUD)
$3.5k–$5.5kest. Sep 2026
Type
Sport
Origin
Japan
Built in
Thailand
Overview
The bike that dominated the LAMS sportsbike segment in Australia before the Ninja 400 replaced it in 2018 — huge production numbers mean it remains one of the most common used LAMS bikes on the road. A 296cc-up bore-and-stroke over the earlier Ninja 250, with fuel injection replacing carbs and a mild power bump. Genuinely dated next to the Ninja 400 on power-to-weight, but correspondingly cheap and with a very deep parts and aftermarket supply.
Engines & variants
296cc Parallel Twin (LAMS) LAMS approved
Under the caps as standard — no ECU or mechanical restriction.
Finding it on the approved list
Compliance-plate model code:
EX300A
- NSW files it under code EX300A, description "Ninja 300 / Ninja 300 ABS", 2012-18, 296cc.
- QLD lists it as a plain "Ninja 300" row.
- Victoria lists it as "EX300A (2012 onwards)".
NSW (15 September 2026 revision), QLD (7 September 2026) and Transport Victoria (read 2026-09-27) registers.
Engine
296cc liquid-cooled DOHC 8-valve parallel twin
Config
Parallel twin
Capacity
296cc
Power
29kW (39hp) @ 11000rpm
Torque
27Nm @ 10000rpm
Seat height
785mm
Weight
172kg
Final drive
Chain
Cooling
Liquid
ABS
Optional
Traction control
None
Fuel
17L
Transmission
6-speed
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Huge production run means cheap parts, deep aftermarket, and easy-to-find used examples across Australia
- Genuinely reliable, simple engine with a long track record
- Light, narrow and confidence-inspiring for a first sportsbike
- ABS was optional, so a used buyer can choose
Cons
- Down on power and power-to-weight against the Ninja 400 that replaced it — a clearly dated engine by the time production ended
- ABS was optional, so plenty of used examples don't have it
- Many examples are now high-kilometre, having spent years as a common learner bike
- Cheap doesn't mean neglected examples are rare — budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection
Known problems
medium
ABS valve contamination (recall REC-000752, 2012-2013 bikes)
Australian recall REC-000752 (13 August 2013) covered 2012-2013 Ninja 300s: a foreign particle could be trapped in the ABS unit's inlet or outlet valve, so the ABS might not work and a wheel could lock under hard braking.
Fix: Check the VIN with a Kawasaki dealer to confirm the recall work was done. See also REC-000753 (ECU stalling) in the recalls list.
low
Clutch plate wear under hard use
Owner-reported: clutch plates wear earlier than average under aggressive or track riding, showing up as revs flaring without a matching increase in road speed under acceleration.
Fix: Replacement friction plates; inspect lever feel and take-up point on a test ride before buying.
low
Battery drain / weak charging on infrequently-ridden bikes
Owner-reported: a common complaint on bikes that sit for weeks between rides, more a function of age and a small battery than a specific fault.
Fix: Trickle-charge over winter or when not ridden regularly; replace the battery if it won't hold charge overnight.
Also worth looking at
Closest in class and capacity to the Kawasaki Ninja 300.