Kawasaki to Revive Ninja 300 for 2026 Launch

Kawasaki is bringing back the Ninja 300 for 2026, offering a lighter alternative to the Ninja 500 with updated emissions tech and classic sportbike styling.

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After nearly a decade’s absence from most major markets, Kawasaki appears ready to reintroduce the Ninja 300, this time as part of its 2026 lineup. The move follows the recent reshuffling of Kawasaki’s small-displacement sportbike range, with the Ninja 400 making way for the Ninja 500 in 2024, leaving room for a new entry-level machine.

The latest clue comes from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which has issued certification for a motorcycle bearing the model code EX300GT. In Kawasaki’s naming convention, “EX” designates its parallel-twin Ninja models, while “T” typically signals the 2026 model year. Kawasaki sold the original Ninja 300 globally from 2013 to 2017 under the EX300 designation before replacing it with the Ninja 400.

According to the certification documents, the returning Ninja 300 will retain its familiar 296cc parallel-twin engine, but with notable updates. Unlike the Versys-X 300, which uses a single three-way catalytic converter, the 2026 Ninja 300 will employ three three-way catalysts, pointing toward improved emissions compliance for stricter markets.

While the Ninja 300 vanished from showrooms in North America and Europe years ago, Kawasaki has continued selling updated versions in India and select Asian markets, where licensing and tax structures favour smaller engines. The latest Indian model features a larger windscreen, projector headlights, and new stock tires, features that may or may not carry over to the global-spec machine.

If Kawasaki follows tradition, the U.S.-bound Ninja 300 will drop regional equipment such as saree guards and bolted-on passenger grab bars, instead leaning into a cleaner, sport-focused aesthetic.

The bike’s return may attract new riders who want a lighter, more accessible alternative to the Ninja 500, while still offering the classic Ninja styling and sporty character that made the 300 a fan favourite. Kawasaki plans to unveil the revived model during the fall launch season alongside its other 2026 motorcycles.