This would be a perfect bike for India. A naked duke 390 and a faired Ninja 400 would be a good pair by Bajaj. A street touring bike, basically a slightly bigger P220 or Karizma. Its also sold in Canada. The 2012 specs of the Ninja 400 are -

Source - Ninja 400R - Street/touring - Model 2012 - Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc.

If we can have 125cc, 135cc, 150cc, 160cc, 180cc, 200cc... Then why not 250cc, 300cc, 390cc, 400cc, 500cc. Choices are always welcomed specially when we look for premium segment.

yes, it should be launched in india, the gap between Ninja250 & Ninja650 is a big one, and ideally there should be an option in between.

this bike looks cool and yes bikes like this should be bought in India, as per the Indian Traffic and Road condition this should be one of the best and well suited bike here. And since out here 800cc bikes are not yet permitted, OEMs should play in 500cc segment or close to this sector.

I don't see the point in having a 400CC learner bike when you have a good 300(N300) version with a better VFM and features. The way I see it, if you need to buy a bike, and only one bike that you will be keeping for a long time without any upgrade to higher versions, then you might think of getting the 400, even then, a 650 would be more apt(Some consider even the 650 as good learner bikes). But if you are going to go for an upgrade after your first bike (like a 600CC SuperSports) then, it would be best to pick the 300. I personally don't think that its worth spending more than 50~60k just for few more hp. If they are bringing in the 300 and 400, I would surely pick the 300 rather than a 400 like this one, even if I have the money to get the 400.
We are one of the very few countries with such a varied segment in the below 250 category. In most countries, the segments are basically like this 250/300,500,650,600,750,1000/1100,1300/1400.
Having too many segments within a particular range isn't just worth it. For example, if you bring in a 550 cc between a 650 and 500, you aren't going to get too much of a difference from a 500, and you will barely match with the 650. Now couple that with the additional costs to make a 550 and the price you are going to sell it in the market. A wise man will choose the 500 if he doesn't have the money to get a 650.

The Ninja 300 is a track bike, this one is a tourer.

In my perspective, 250cc is still niche in India and 650/1000/1300 etc owners are still considered as rich-spoiled brats. IMO, its not profitable for Kawasaki to bring this in India because:-
1. Ninja 250R at 3.5L servers city rides (track rides for people in Delhi NCR and down South in TN ONLY) as well as tours.
2. Ninja 650 serves most of the touring needs for people wishing to upgrade.
3. We Indians want 'more' bike for the money spent.

Despite the bike deserving its place on our roads, it won't find many customers. Moreover, even if it comes to our shores, it'll be imported as a CBU, hence priced ~5L. Isn't it wise to get the 650 then?
At least for now, Kawasaki won't bring it to our land.

How many of us 'actually' upgrade in stages like that? Is it really that we first learn riding on 100cc motorcycles, shift to 110, 135, 150, 180 and so on? I think the same goes here. Any person riding a 200cc+ motorcycle can swing anywhere between a 300/400/650. It is in fact better since the person looking for power more than 250 but less than 650 but somewhere close to the higher mark. N250, CBR guys may be more inclined towards a 400 than a 650? Most of us desire to ride a superbike but given the gross infrastructure and traffic back-end issues in our country, one in reality might be more inclined towards a more controllable power rather than go for a liter class (or close to one) monster. Makes sense IMO.
Apart from discussions, I think it is always a win-win situation for us - the consumers who have more in their hands. Whether or not the companies are making profits/losses from their line-up, it is for them to decide. The consumer always wants the best of the worlds! The better part is that auto biggies have to realize that the Indian 'commuter' is evolving, slowly but steadily enough to be one of the more attractive markets today.

I don't think so. A 300 can also be used to tour quite efficiently. Ofcourse not as good a 650 when it comes to touring, but that would be good enough. Its more suited for people who would like a ride that they can take around the track without too much hassle and also with a touring capability that is reasonably good. Like I said, if the 400 is released here, it will be apt only for those who want a strictly touring machine but they don't have the money to get a 650 but just enough for the 400 while totally ignoring the 300 altogether. I'm not sure how many bikers belong to that category in India. From my point of view, if they release the 400 and 300 here, the 300 will obviously cannibalize the 400. And I guess that's the same reason they aren't selling it in other markets as well.
We find such type of upgrade stages hard to accept because we are used to a different kind of upgrading. When I said my friends that I'm going to get a 250/300 cc as my first bike, they said that I wouldn't be able to ride it and that its too much for a beginner. What they said was that I should get a 150cc bike first then upgrade to a 250/300cc. I simply don't see the point in buying a bike that I'm not even going to use for 2 years. This seems to be the scenario that is present here. People usually buy a 125/150 cc, then upgrade to a 180 and then to a 200/250. Many don't even go beyond 200. Even though you won't even feel like you've upgraded when you do it like that. Now when you pick a 250/300 or even a 650 as your first bike and then upgrade to a 600(Supersports) or a litre class(Tourer/Cruiser), you will feel a significant difference. Basically that's what an upgrade is supposed to give you in my humble opinion.
P.S: Surely a litre class in our country will be seen as a big overkill. A Supersports 600 will be enough, but the reason people often pick a litre bike is due to the insignificant difference between a 600 and litre bike in India, as both are usually CBU imports.

it is simply not practical especially since Kawasaki has minimal Indian presence and a very limited sales volume. its better for them to bring a 1000 cc. but the photo above is quite interesting for a different reason too. there is a honda Jazz car next to the bike which is in India now and i own one with pleasure along with my ninja 250.

What India probably needs right now is some sensible decisions from the government on easing norms for setting up factories and trade in India. Thailand has done a wonderful job of it, no wonder we see Kawasaki, Ducati and others lining up to set up assembly and even manufacturing units there. With all the prowess that India has got (money and people) it still cannot attract that kind of interest or investment due to dismal trade practices and infrastructure and general government apathy towards real development.

Also pressure from the local manufacturers who don't want outsiders to join the fray. They will try to delay opening up of the market. Same is the case in the cycle industry.

With cycling becoming increasingly popular, the govt. this year increased customs duty from 10 to 30% on all imported cycles. Surely Indian manufacturers like Hero Cycles and TI Cycles had a hand in it.

The same is the case in the motorcycle industry, TVS, Bajaj and Hero Moto Corp will want as little competition from outside for as long as possible.

Amen to that. The government should seriously reconsider their current norms and taxing.
I don't think Bajaj will be concerned about outsiders, considering the fact that they themselves have a 49% stake in an international brand like the KTM, they would have a more "Bring it ON" kind of attitude. Although I don't think the other domestic players will have the same feel.

exactly! This is what I wanted to convey. Why discriminate on the basis of cc? A capacity of a bike never defines its character. Kawasaki ninja 650 & zx6r cannot be compared to each other just because they share similar engine capacity its just like comparing a enfield 350 to a KTM 390! I didn't meant the series of bike as an upgrade of single person but as an option for everyone. From 250cc..........800cc there is a huge gap with extreme potential for indian market, I request the manufacturers to fill the above dots & beg the govt to support them.