What’s New in the Entry-Level Sport Bike War?

Two big players have entered the same ring. Harley-Davidson, known for big cruisers, now throws a punch at the sportbike crowd with the X350. Meanwhile, Kawasaki’s Ninja 300 stays in the fight as a seasoned favourite among beginners who want some serious edge. But if you’re looking for that first big upgrade, which one should you bet on?

Let’s get down to business.

Design Showdown: Muscle Meets Sharp Lines

The Harley-Davidson X350 doesn’t look like your average Harley. It’s a streetfighter with a muscular tank, upright stance and minimal fuss design. It grabs attention with confidence, not noise. It feels like a rebel in the Harley family.

The Ninja 300? It’s all aggression. Its edgy panels, split headlights, and aggressive fairing give off serious race vibes even when the engine’s off. It’s still one of the best looking faired bikes in this price range classic Kawasaki drama with a modern twist.

If you like raw street attitude go Harley. If you want track inspired flair it’s Ninja all the way.

Performance & Ride: Which One Packs the Bigger Punch?

Here’s where things get interesting.

The Harley X350 runs on a 353cc twin-cylinder motor that delivers a solid mid-range punch, making it lively yet manageable for everyday riding. It’s tuned for everyday fun think confident overtakes, solid mid-range and city friendly manners.

Powering the Ninja 300 is a 296cc parallel-twin motor that dishes out close to 39 horsepower, making it a zippy contender in the lightweight sportbike class. It revs higher, feels sharper on throttle and begs to be pushed harder. It’s more track biased, with that familiar Kawasaki eagerness in every gear.

In real world riding? Harley’s a smoother cruiser in traffic, but the Ninja wins in raw thrills and highway bursts.

Handling & Comfort: City Rider or Weekend Racer?

The X350 offers a relaxed, upright posture with wide handlebars that make it especially comfortable for everyday riders and those still getting confident in city traffic. Its weight feels balanced and slow speed maneuvers are drama free.

The Ninja 300 has a more committed stance. The clip-ons and slightly rear set pegs may feel sporty but not ideal for daily grind or long commutes.So if your ride is mostly urban or chilled weekend runs, Harley wins the comfort card. For corner carving and weekend sprints, Ninja is still the sharper tool.

Features and Tech

Harley has kept it simple with basic digital instrumentation, LED lighting and premium USD forks. The standout is the build quality solid and mature.

The Ninja 300 also keeps it simple but adds dual-channel ABS, slipper clutch and slightly better instrument feedback. It’s old but still feels modern enough.

Specifications Table : Harley-Davidson X350 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300

Feature	Harley-Davidson X350	Kawasaki Ninja 300
Engine	353cc parallel-twin	296cc parallel-twin
Power	~36 hp	~39 hp
Torque	~31 Nm	~26.1 Nm
Gearbox	6-speed	6-speed
Kerb Weight	195 kg	179 kg
Seat Height	777 mm	780 mm
Brakes	Disc (front and rear)	Disc (front and rear) + ABS
Suspension (Front)	USD Fork	Telescopic Fork
Suspension (Rear)	Mono-shock	Mono-shock
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.5 litres	17 litres
Top Speed	~140 km/h	~180 km/h

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ALSO READ: Triumph Speed T4 vs Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 vs Harley-Davidson X440: Real-World Review

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FAQs: Harley-Davidson X350 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300

Which one is better for beginners?
The X350 feels more approachable for newer riders, especially in city traffic where its relaxed ergonomics really shine.

Which one has better highway performance?
Ninja 300 has higher top speed and quicker acceleration for open roads.

Is Harley X350 available with ABS?
X350 may skip dual-channel ABS in some markets. Check local specs.

Which one is more fuel efficient?
Ninja 300 edges out by a small margin, 30-35 km/l vs Harley’s 28-32 km/l.

Final Verdict: Street Style or Sporty Soul?

Harley-Davidson X350 and Kawasaki Ninja 300 are two different takes on what an entry-level bike can be.

• Go with the X350 if you’re looking for a comfortable everyday ride with street-ready looks and that solid Harley feel.
• Pick Ninja 300 if you love revs, corners and want a bike that feels like a mini track weapon.

Both bikes are a good start to performance riding. It all depends on what kind of beast you want to tame.