KAWASAKI J300 (2014 - on) Review

Year: 2017

Surprisingly rapid for 300cc comfortable heated grips would be a useful addition , suspension can get overwhelmed if you're too enthusiastic into corners and roundabouts , had the rear step out a few times as the rear suspension loaded up. The traffic light grand prix is a hoot get it right and it'll beat anything away from a standstill. you'll always be the scooter boy at the local bike hangout I got bored with it after a couple of years

Version: ABS Special Edition

Year: 2015

Annual servicing cost: £30

Surprisingly nippy for a 300cc and it's weight. Top speed and acceleration is more than enough for around town and the motorway, unless you ride like an oik, then again if you do, you won't be buying this bike in the first place. Under seat storage is more than I've had on any bike and I've had quite a few. It developed a couple of spots of rust on the rear shocks but everything else still looks new, even after 8500 miles. My last bike was a YZF600 and on paper the J300 is heavier but in real life it feels a whole lot lighter and is a doddle to ride at any speed. I'm not going to get an adrenalin rush but it's an everyday A to B bike so I didn't expect to. Overall, I'm very pleased with the J300 and have no plans getting anything else.

Buying experience: I paid £2999 + £200 delivery from a dealer.

Version: SC300 AEFA Special Edition

Year: 2018

Annual servicing cost: £15

It's pretty nimble for it's size and more than fast enough for the road. It definitely feels lighter than it is but that's because the weight is down low, the only time I feel the weight is when I put it on the centre stand, it's easy to put on but hard for me to get it back off and I'm 13 stone! The under seat storage more than I've ever had and with the Kawasaki top box, I can get a weeks shopping in one go! The only thing I don't like is the speedo which is focused on KMH and not the MPH I'm used to. For an everyday bike, I would definitely recommend it.

Buying experience: I bought mine used from a dealer and I paid £2,999.

Version: 2019 ABS version

Year: 2019

A very capable all-around scooter. Great all-year commuter. Ample power for the motorways and A, B-roads. High Kawasaki built standards.

Buying experience: Bought slightly used model from dealer, with less than 5000 miles on the clock

Year: 2020

Annual servicing cost: £120

I would definitely not recommend this bike to anyone, don't get me wrong this bike is great but and a big but. I brought this to commute to work planning to use all year round. I had upgraded from my Honda PCS 125 also used all year round and from new without a hitch. This bike after 4 months started to rust so on my first service asked if this could be looked at and something done under the warranty. Ha ha, first of all completely fobbed off by the dealer (Preston Superbikes). Then on taking the complaint to Kawasaki again fobbed off with the same excuse. This being the bike had been under chemical attack by that very British thing the wet weather and that nasty stuff salt. So if you don't have a cold water hose pipe to hand when you get to your place of work, then a towel and some water repellent spray and also the time don't bother buying one of these. 4 months old this bike is what a joke.

Buying experience: Buying was straight forward during covid, but if as said by Kawasaki in their manual about the cleaning demands, was printed in the sales brochure, then I would have ran a mile

Version: Special Edition ABS

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £130

Highly recommended. Strong MPG, strong performance. It's not the fastest bike but it will keep up with most things on the A and B roads around where I live. Worst feature?...struggling

Buying experience: Easy, from Colin Appleyards in Keighley. Interest free credit too.

Version: ABS

Year: 2015

Effortless & practical. My first scooter and I can't fault it. Agile enough in the city but powerful & comfortable enough on the motorways, even two up.

Year: 2014

Annual servicing cost: £500

The bikes best features has got to be its practicality, comfort and its power (for what it is!) The seat is the comfiest I have ever been on. its a real pleasure to ride with the handlebars positioned perfectly for a very comfortable ride. Mine has a double helmet top box which doesnt look out of place. I can store soooo much especially with the underseat storage. Honestly its quite amazing at what you can carry. The speed of this little 300 engine doesnt seem real. It is so much more then I expected, I lose most bikes on the twistys, and on A roads it sits comfortably around 85mph and can be pushed upto 100 mph!! The worst things on the bike if we are being niggly is the seat latch, the hydraulic rod for holding the seat up and the brakes. The seat has two latches, one either side but mine ever only secures to one. Its not a big issue but it is very common and leaves you feeling like its not as well built as it could be, It has a hydraulic rod to hold the seat up. Its a gimmick, most scooter seats stay up when there at the vertical anyway. With this rod fitted it restricts how high the seat goes up and can be fiddly getting your belongings in and out. I feel I can only describe the brakes as adequate. I had one occasion when I needed to stop FAST, I feel I was let down and had to take the bike on an evasive manoeuvre across some long grass to avoid a head on. Generally the brakes are progressive and enough but for them life changing scary moments they just don't cut it.