The 300 Ninja has a lot of potential to be a home run. People tend to buy the 250 as a starter bike and outgrow them into something else on the opposite side of the spectrum like a 110 HP 600 super sports in part because they don't want to go from the 250 to something that weighs 600 lbs.
The new 300 could be the perfect fit for a lot of people because it could challenge the (nearly) Status quo of buying one bike to learn on and another one for after that.

Engine braking is not quite the dysfunctional problem described in the article. My KLR 650 can be engine braked without fuss to a near stop. I use brakes for traffic conditions but on the open road my engine does most of the braking. I ride hard but my 2004 bike is running like a top and never had a bolt turned on the engine.

@Guy "on the open road my engine does most of the braking"
That is kind of the point though and the KLR has a 9.8:1 compression ratio vs my 12.9:1 so without a slipper clutch the bike would decelerate quickly when I let off the throttle and I have brakes for when I don't. It makes for a smoother ride and helps stay more neutral in the corners.

Woot!! The main reason I was planning on getting a cbr250 instead of a ninja 250 is because the ninja did not have ABS. Now I think I will get a Ninja 300, after I take a look at some reviews of the bike. This bike is really getting me excited.

Hell, why not just make it a 650 ?

@Martin, the 650 is 100 lbs, $3000, and 40 HP more than the 250 and gets 20 MPG less mileage. It is overkill.

The Honda is still the better looker.

according to Kawasaki's website, the Ninja 250's curb weight is 374 pounds. If the 300 is the same, or possibly less due to the redesigned engine, 40 hp would be a lot of fun in such a light bike, plus the fuel economy with the fuel injection is sure to be excellent. Unless you're planning on taking passengers and/or carrying a lot of cargo, or if you weigh 300 pounds, this would be a great bike for just about anyone.

Just an FYI... the slipper clutch is more than 25 years old, and was used on Honda's 1981/82 FT500 Ascot, an entry level bike, and has been used elsewhere. Great technology-yes, new to this market level- nope, and not by 30 years or so.

Mrtin. Why should they make it 650 because they make Kawasaki Ninja zx-6r 636? Very nice bike with 130+ horsepower but more expensive and maybe not so good learner bike.