New Kawasaki J300

[phantom309]

just a shame we don't get the new silverwings...we're left with the old outdated ones...while the rest of europe has the new models...WTF

[Cookie]

I'm happy with my 'outdated' Silverwing too Meldrew. Who cares about alterations to a few bits of plastic?
Reliability, practicality, usability and comfort are far more important to me.
Incidentally I agree about the headlights too. Twin headlights are fine so long as they are both on.

Cookie

[mac65]

Well got an hours ride on the J300 on Saturday. Nice looking machine, was the first person to ride it from the dealer, so with new tyres and very wet roads I set out on a trip round town, fastest roads were 50 limit. Very comfortable seat, but the lack of a feet forward position has put me off, stiff legs by the time I got back. Under seat space is quite tight as well. Dealer asked me what I thought when I got back, told him that I prefer feet forward riding position, said he would pass that on to Kawasaki, so hopefully they take note for there next machine. So might just have to go for the SYM Joymax 300, will wait and see what spring time brings.

[StephenC]

... Very comfortable seat, but the lack of a feet forward position has put me off, stiff legs by the time I got back...

This is the one thing that concerns me about the scoot. I'm riding one tomorrow.

The dealer also has a demo Forza but I really don't like the styling, especially the handlebars. I'd also have to splash out extra on a larger screen as the standard one is tiny.

[michaelphillips]

... Very comfortable seat, but the lack of a feet forward position has put me off, stiff legs by the time I got back...

This is the one thing that concerns me about the scoot. I'm riding one tomorrow.

The dealer also has a demo Forza but I really don't like the styling, especially the handlebars. I'd also have to splash out extra on a larger screen as the standard one is tiny.

i have never ridden mine feet fully forward, tend to ride it like a motorbike and feet well back , only put them forward to front of running board for extra grip from thighs of two up.. so this wouldnt bother me and the running board looks quite long

[StephenC]

The bottom line is that I've just ordered a J300 SE-ABS today. If I recall correctly what the salesman said, I think there will only be 8 coming to the UK for the foreseeable future. Which is interesting as there was another guy in the showroom looking over a J300 and asking about ABS..... I wonder if Kawasaki UK may have committed a pretty big error?

The bike rides beautifully with a nice progressive engine giving excellent acceleration if you open the throttle wide. There was more vibration coming through than on my Satelis 250 but then the suspension is firmer and the scoot only has 46 miles on it compared to Sat's 21,000. Handling is neat and tidy and the brakes (not ABS on this one) snatch-free.

I was worried about feet postion and indeed, you can only put your feet in one position but I did not find this a problem and believe that I can easily live with it. Underseat storage is good but not as deep as the Forza and my Caberg Duke helmet was a tight squeeze. It is a flip-front with oddlumps on the top so I doubt this will be an issue for anyone else. I am 5'7" with a not very long inside leg but had no problems at all with putting my feet down nice and flat. The floor is not as flat as the Satelis but still enough to count as a step-through in my book. Instruments look a little plain in daylight but come up in a lovely blue when you ride into dark areas. Obviously the speedo is most prominently in kph but I found the mph scale easy to read.

The mirrors provide a reasonable view and seem easily adjustable. I like that both headlamps are lit when the engine's running. The screen is not one of those silly tiny ones (Forza - I'm looking at you!) being a moderate size and I felt no buffeting or any worse noise than on the Satelis. There's a 12v socket in the glovebox, which for some reason isn't lockable. It is also quite small but it is enough for a charging mobile and a puncture repair kit. A nice touch is that the brake levers are very easily adjustable for reach.

Overall it isn't perfect and if Peugeot were already bringing in the Satelis mk2 in 400 form at a reasonable price, I would have probably jumped that way. but they aren't, so there we are.

Any questions?

[Fizzy Rascal]

The bottom line is that I've just ordered a J300 SE-ABS today. If I recall correctly what the salesman said, I think there will only be 8 coming to the UK for the foreseeable future. Which is interesting as there was another guy in the showroom looking over a J300 and asking about ABS..... I wonder if Kawasaki UK may have committed a pretty big error?

The bike rides beautifully with a nice progressive engine giving excellent acceleration if you open the throttle wide. There was more vibration coming through than on my Satelis 250 but then the suspension is firmer and the scoot only has 46 miles on it compared to Sat's 21,000. Handling is neat and tidy and the brakes (not ABS on this one) snatch-free.

I was worried about feet postion and indeed, you can only put your feet in one position but I did not find this a problem and believe that I can easily live with it. Underseat storage is good but not as deep as the Forza and my Caberg Duke helmet was a tight squeeze. It is a flip-front with oddlumps on the top so I doubt this will be an issue for anyone else. I am 5'7" with a not very long inside leg but had no problems at all with putting my feet down nice and flat. The floor is not as low as the Satelis but still low enough to count as a step-through in my book. Instruments look a little plain in daylight but come up in a lovely blue when you ride into dark areas. Obviously the speedo is most prominently in kph but I found the mph scale easy to read.

The mirrors provide a reasonable view and seem easily adjustable. I like that both headlamps are lit when the engine's running. The screen is not one of those silly tiny ones (Forza - I'm looking at you!) being a moderate size and I felt no buffeting or any worse noise than on the Satelis. There's a 12v socket in the glovebox, which for some reason isn't lockable. It is also quite small but it is enough for a charging mobile and a puncture repair kit. A nice touch is that the brake levers are very easily adjustable for reach.

Overall it isn't perfect and if Peugeot were already bringing in the Satelis mk2 in 400 form at a reasonable price, I would have probably jumped that way. but they aren't, so there we are.

Any questions?

Congratulations!

Health to enjoy!

[Bluebottle]

Congratulations Mr C.

Having no feet forward position immediately knocks it off my list but I'm looking forward to seeing them out on the road.

[Nyarlathotep]

Nice! As well as the ABS, it does look rather nice in SE colours.

[michaelphillips]

Nice! As well as the ABS, it does look rather nice in SE colours.

well done mate.. bet you got a really big grin on your fosh.. i know i would