Ninja 300 Vs 250R: Which Is a Better Beginner Sports Bike?

Though it is not considered the best idea, many beginner motorcycle riders want to start with a sports bike. It is not the ideal choice for a new rider to learn how to ride a bike on a sports bike. It is better to go with a more comfortable bike, like a low-powered lightweight cruiser bike, sport cruiser, or a standard bike/roadster.

Still, most riders don’t want to give up on their dream of starting with a sports bike. There is nothing to worry about; the Kawasaki Ninja has got you covered.

The very famous Kawasaki Ninja series also makes one of the best beginner-friendly sports bikes. These include the Kawasaki Ninja 250R and the Ninja 300. Despite being beginner sports bikes, both the Ninja 300 and Ninja 250 gained a lot of popularity and outsold many notable models.

It would not be wrong to say that the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and the Ninja 250R were among the best bikes Kawasaki ever made.

Though both the Ninja 250R and the Ninja 300 are discontinued, they are still in demand thanks to their superior beginner-friendly characteristics.

However, the question is, which one should you choose between the Ninja 300 and the Ninja 250R? Those who think what good a 50 cc difference can bring to a motorcycle, it is a lot, especially in the case of the Ninja 300 vs 250R.

A detailed Ninja 300 Vs 250R comparison can help beginner riders make a better decision. Continue reading this article to learn which is the better beginner sports bike between, the Ninja 300 vs Ninja 250.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a classic entry-level Ninja sports bike from the Japanese bike maker. The company introduced the Ninja 250 model in 1986. It was also named as the EX250.

Later, in 2008, the bike was being marketed by the name Ninja 250R. The Ninja 250R was discontinued in most motorcycle markets in 2012 and was replaced by the Ninja 300.

Replacing the Ninja 250R in most markets, the Ninja 300 was the new entry-level sports bike by Kawasaki. It was introduced in 2012. On the paper, it may only represent a 50 cc increase in the engine size.

However, the Ninja 300R featured many good upgrades, making it a modern bike. The Ninja 300 was replaced by the Ninja 400 in 2018 in most markets.

Both the Ninja 250R and the Ninja 300 are discontinued bikes in the US market. They are no longer available for sale on the website. However, you can still find a used Ninja 300 and Ninja 250R.

There are many riders who still want to own and ride these two bikes. Not only because they are very popular but also because they make the best beginner platforms; for beginner bikers who crave aggressive styling on a bike with full fairings, the Ninja 250R and the Ninja 300 are the best options.

One thing very notable about these two Ninja motorcycles is their unique rider-friendly design. Most motorcyclists know the Ninja as the supersport bike. However, they are not. If you want a super sport Kawasaki bike, there is a separate lineup known as the Kawasaki ZX series.

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Ninja 250 are both a mix of standard motorcycles and sports bikes. They can also be termed as comfortable sports bikes, like most Ninja models.

Don’t get deceived by the sporty looks of the Ninja 300 and 250R; they make the perfect entry-level road bikes.

Between the two bikes, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 looks better and modern than the Ninja 250R. This is obvious because the Ninja 300 is the latest of the two bikes.

The Ninja 300 doesn’t look like a beginner sports bike. It will not make you look like a new rider. The Ninja 300 resembles a lot with the bigger Ninjas.

The Ninja 300 also looks more aggressive and sporty than the Ninja 250R. This bike has a pointed front-end look with overall sharp styling cues. The Ninja 300 is more aggressive than the Ninja 250.

However, despite having such sporty and aggressive styling, the Ninja 300 didn’t come with low-mounted clip-on bars. Compared to other sports bikes, the Ninja 300 has slightly high-mounted bars.

The Ninja 250 was quite different from the Ninja 300. It had the sporty look of its times. This bike also came with full-body fairing. However, the front was not as pointed as the Ninja 300. Also, the Ninja 250R was slimmer than the Ninja 300.

The Ninja 250 was more like a standard motorcycle, perfect for road riding. For the modern rider generation, the Ninja 250R styling may look to be outdated compared to the Ninja 300.

It is unfortunate that in the US, a fuel-injected Ninja 250R couldn’t make it to the market. We only have the carbureted Ninja 250R. When it comes to the carburetors vs fuel injectors comparison, fuel injectors always take the lead. They are better because they utilize innovation and are better in many ways.

Being the older one, the Kawasaki Ninja 250 came with a carburetor for fuel supply to the engine. Meanwhile, the Ninja 300 came with fuel injectors in the American motorcycle market.

The one major difference you will notice is the cold starting issue. The Ninja 300, being fuel-injected, starts without any problem, even in the cold. This bike runs smoothly regardless if it is cold.

On the other hand, you can face issues starting up the Ninja 250 in the cold. You will have to rely on the choke to start this bike in the cold.

Talking about the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, this standard/sports bike featured a 248 cc DOHC inline twin-cylinder, carbureted engine. The 248 cc engine was capable of delivering a torque of 24.4 Nm (18 lb-ft) at 10,000 rpm and a peak horsepower of 37.4 hp at 12,500 rpm. This bike can rev at a maximum pace of 14,000 rpm, considered the redline.

On the contrary, the Ninja 300 is equipped with a fuel-injected 296 cc DOHC inline twin-cylinder engine, having a total of 8 valves. The 296 cc engine delivers a maximum of 26.98 Nm (19.9 lb-ft) at 10,000 rpm and a peak horsepower of 38.9 hp at 11,000 rpm. This bike could rev at a maximum pace of 13,000 rpm.

If you are either confused about choosing one between the Ninja 300 vs Ninja 250 or you are planning to upgrade to the Ninja 300, we will make it easier for you to decide. The difference between the two Ninja bikes may not sound like a big deal. However, practically, there is a big difference between the Ninja 300 and 250R.

It is not the 50 cc difference alone; the fuel injection, along with the taller gearing in the Ninja 300, provides many advantages to the rider.

Firstly, the Ninja 300 has more power than the Ninja 250R. Due to being fuel-injected, it runs smoothly. Also, thanks to the taller gearing, the Ninja 300 is a highly versatile bike for all riding styles.

All these Ninja 300 features make this bike more comfortable and suitable for highway cruising and city traveling.

Most riders who ride the Ninja 300 for the first time realize how big the differences are between the Ninja 300 vs 250R. The marginal power and torque differences are quite noticeable when riding the Ninja 300. The torque offered by the Ninja 300 can comfortably get you going in most riding conditions.

In terms of handling, the updates included in the Kawasaki Ninja 300 make it quite rideable. The ride quality is improved in the Ninja 300 thanks to the updated rigid chassis. The front fork technology has also been updated in the Ninja 300. With better front forks, the Ninja 300 ensures a more agile handling than the Ninja 250R.

Turning tight corners is not a problem with the Ninja 300. It is a much better performer than the Ninja 250.

Another notable update made to the Ninja 300 was the wide rear tire. The 140 mm wide rear tire was installed in the Ninja 300 for many good reasons. Firstly, the bike was quite wider than the Ninja 250. It needed a firmer base to stay upright.

Also, the wider rear tire ensures more traction and power in all conditions. The linear stability and performance were also improved in the Ninja 300 compared to the Ninja 250R.

Talking about comfort, the Ninja 300 is considered an overall more comfortable bike than the Ninja 250R. The Ninja 250R is slightly more sportier when it comes to the riding stance.

Meanwhile, the Ninja 300 offers a more upright riding position, comfortable for both city traveling and highway cruising. The Ninja 300 has a slightly taller handlebar compared to the Ninja 250R, which makes riders sit comfortably. The rider doesn’t have to sit close to the gas tank or handlebars as you would see in super sports bikes.

Despite being the more aggressive one between the two, the Ninja 300 offers better ergonomics. It is a type of motorcycle that can be used for long-distance trips and freeway rides. The Ninja 300 also makes a better sports bike platform for taller riders.

Being the latest one, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 comes with a slipper and assist clutch. Those who are familiar with this technology know what difference it can make when it comes to ride quality.

The assist and slipper clutch on the Ninja 300 makes clutch pull and gear shifting very easy. You don’t feel the jerking as you downshift on your Ninja 300. The slipper clutch makes the whole riding experience very smooth.

A slipper clutch may not be a necessary piece of equipment on an entry-level bike. However, if you choose to ride aggressively on the Ninja 300, it is good to have the slipper clutch. Riding aggressively on a bike like this may require you to upshift and downshift frequently.

If you are a beginner looking for a beginner bike, the weight of a motorcycle is an important consideration. If you are completely new to motorcycling, the Ninja 250R is a better choice as you may handle it easily.

The Ninja 250R only weighs around 138 kg (304 lbs) compared to the Ninja 300, which weighs 164 kg (362 lbs). The difference of 26 kg is a lot for a beginner rider.

Being a classic bike, the Kawasaki Ninja 250 still has a good demand in the used bike market. Even today, the most used Ninja 250R is listed at a price of $2,000 to $3,000, considering the model year and the number of miles.

On the contrary, you can find a used Ninja 300 in a price range of $2,500-$4,500. It mostly sells at a price range of $3,00-4,000 in the used bike market.

Being a standard/sports bike with full body fairing, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 can attain a top speed of 115 mph (185 kmph). It is more than what you can expect from a beginner bike like the Ninja 300.

However, the Ninja 300 top speed depends on various factors, including the rider’s weight, expertise, and riding conditions. Some bikers have also reported to touch 119 mph on their Ninja 300.

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 easily accelerates up to 85 mph. You will have to ride pretty hard to reach 115 mph.

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is recorded to complete the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.6 seconds only. Meanwhile, it is recorded to finish the quarter-mile sprint in 14.5 seconds.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is not slow. This beginner sport bike can reach a top speed of around 100 mph (161 kmph).

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is recorded to reach the 60 mph mark from rest in 7 seconds.

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is a much better bike than the Ninja 250R in every aspect for a beginner. The build quality, ride performance, highway capability, power, and smoothness are all better in the Ninja 300 compared to the Ninja 250.

If you are looking to buy one between the Ninja 300 and the Ninja 250R, the Ninja 300 is a better beginner sports bike. The good thing about the Ninja 300 is that it is also pretty comfortable as a sports bike. Even if you ride the Ninja 250R, it is worth upgrading to the Ninja 300.