Kawasaki revives one of its old designs for MY2024, the power cruiser-tastic Eliminator 400. It also adds to the line with an “SE” model that comes with a handful of minor aesthetic tweaks to set it apart from the base model. Intended to deliver a sporty riding experience the bike has most of the comforts of a cruiser, not entirely unlike Harley-Davidson's new Sportster lineup.
A relatively small-displacement engine delivers tractable and non-threatening power deep in the low rpm band with a strong mid-range, just the thing for blasting away from a light and away from all the cagers close aboard. The base Eliminator channels the original, but the SE veers into café racer territory with the special equipment up front.
This model first rolled in 1985 as the 900 Eliminator, meant to be a street-centric drag bike as someone might build in their garage. The original production run ended in 2007 and the project sat shelved until now. Kawasaki unveiled its second run at the Osaka Motorcycle Show 2023 for a Japan release, but we'll see if/when this pair will make it over to our side of the world.
2023 Kawasaki Eliminator
- Newly Designed Trellis Frame
- Comfortable Riding Triangle
- Rideology App
- Front & Rear Cameras (SE)
- Prove 400 cc Engine
- Model: Eliminator
- Engine:: 398 cc Parallel Twin
- Power Output: 45 HP
- Torque: 26 LB-FT
- Transmission: 6-Speed manual
- MSRP: 759,000 yen (est: $5,732 USD)
- Low Center Of Gravity
- Low Adjustable Seat Height
- Comfortable Rider's Triangle
- Bottom Tier Engine Size
- Could Use ABS
- No Slipper Clutch
2024 Kawasaki Eliminator Performance And Capability
Power comes from a parallel-twin engine that is liquid-cooled for emissions control and good stamina, even in hot weather and slow traffic. A 70 mm bore and 51.8 mm stroke give it a 398 cc displacement with an 11.5-to-1 compression ratio that will no doubt prefer top hook road champagne, so you can forget about using the cheap stuff.
The factory uses a downdraft induction system with a high-volume, low-resistance airbox meant to improve the engine's volumetric efficiency without getting crazy with a turbo or compressor. It's meant to be a “first bike,” so the power delivery is friendly with a deep torque well to pull you out of the hole with less risk of stalling out due to bad technique like a new rider might do.
Dual over-head cams time the four-valve head. It's worth mentioning that this is the same engine used by the Ninja 400 and the Z400 so the Eliminator enters the stable in good company.
The Eliminator produces 45 horsepower and 26 pound-feet of torque. Top speed is still unknown at this time, but the Ninja 400 tops out at 116.7 mph with a 13.2-second quarter-mile and 4.35-second 0-to-60 time, and I expect much the same from the Eliminator line. Power flows through a six-speed transmission with a chain-and-sprocket final drive.
Engine & Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
Engine | Water-Cooled 4-stroke, Parallel Twin DOHC, 4 valves |
Displacement | 398 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 70 mm x 51.8 mm |
Compression | 11.5:1 |
Power | 45 HP |
Torque | 26 LB-FT |
Fuel System | Fuel Injection |
Final Drive | Chain |
Clutch | Wet Multiplate |
Gearbox | 6-Speed |
Design
This is what it's like when worlds collide. The Eliminator straddles the line with its sporty engine and cruiser-type underpinnings. Dark and sinister, the Eliminator brothers come with copious blackout treatment just about everywhere possible, and in the case of the SE, it's all black to go all the way over to the dark side.
The cut-down front fender looks similar to those done in someone's backyard to remove less-than-useful weight from the bike to boost its racing chops. We find the first difference between the two models right out of the gate with bellow gaiters to protect the inner fork tubes and fork seals from damaging grit and grime and a racier look.
Again in the headlights, the base model runs a classic, old-school round headlight, but the SE rocks a café racer-tastic bullet fairing that beefs up the front end just a skosh and plays into that street-race bike look. Too bad it doesn't have that bullet tail as well, but I guess you can't have everything all the time.
The instrumentation is all crammed into a single round LCD screen that also supports Kawi's proprietary infotainment system, the RIDEOLOGY THE APP option that delivers GPS coverage, navigation, and can field messages and calls through your smartphone connection. Needless to say, this is an unusual feature on such a small-displacement machine, and so Kawi gets credit for going that extra mile.
A low-profile fuel tank blends handily into the front of the pilot's saddle that slings your butt at a low 28.9 inches off the deck. If that isn't low enough, you can slam it down to 28.1 inches, or crank it up to 30.1 inches if you shop in the tall section. The lofted p-pad comes paired with fold-up foot pegs for your riding partner.
Like the front, the rear fender looks chopped with just enough room to mount the gear in the rear. The SE model also comes with front and rear Mitsuba Sankowa cameras to record your adventures, and in a pinch, to corroborate your side of the story.
Kawasaki Eliminator Specs | |
|---|---|
Length | 2,250 mm (88.6 in) |
Width | 785 mm (30.9 in) |
Height | 1,110 mm (43.7 in) SE: 1,140 mm (44.9 in) |
Seat Height | 735 mm (28.9 in) |
Wheelbase | 1,520 mm (59.8 in) |
Ground Clearance | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Fuel Capacity | 12 L (3.2 gal) |
Curb Weight | 176 kg (SE: 178 kg) |
Chassis
The engine in the Eliminator might beat with a Ninja's heart, but the frame is more like Honda's new Rebel line with its exposed members and Trellis-type build. Tubular stock hangs the engine as a stressed member to complete the structure and make it meet its final rigidity.
A wide, 30-degree rake and 4.7-inch trail boost the homegrown-chopper vibe for a cruiser-like riding experience and stability at speed. Suspension is up in the air, but I expect it to be plain vanilla with a preload adjustment at the rear shocks as the only tweak. I'd love to be wrong on that point.
A single, 310 mm disc and two-piston caliper slow the front wheel while a 240 mm disc and what looks like another deuce binder out back. Cast wheels mount a 130/70 ahead of a 150/80 with an 18-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear that reinforces the overall cruiser look.
Chassis & Suspension | |
|---|---|
Frame | Trellis (High Tensile Steel) |
Front Suspension | Telescopic fork |
Rake | 30° |
Trail | 121 mm (4.76 in) |
Front Tire | 130/70-18M/C 63H |
Rear Tire | 150/80-16M/C 71H |
Front Brake | 310 mm disc |
Rear Brake | 240 mm disc |
2024 Kawasaki Eliminator Price And Availability
The Kawasaki Eliminator costs 759,000 yen (est: $5,732). If you want that SE model, you can bump that price up to 858,000 yen (est: $6,480). Those are price conversions, so the dollar amount may not reflect the actual price should this pair make it over into the North American markets.
Pricing & Features | ||
|---|---|---|
Model | Eliminator | Eliminator SE |
Model ID | EL400APF | EL400BPF |
Features | Rideology App | Base Features Plus: Headlight Cowl, Fork Boots, SE-Exclusive Two-Tone Saddle, USB-C Socket, GPS-Equipped Cameras |
Colors | Pearl Robotic White, Metallic Flat Spark Black | Metallic Carbon Gray/Flat Ebony |
Price | 759,000 yen (est $5,732 USD) | 858,000 yen (est $6,480 USD) |
Competitors
There aren't a lot of small-displacement power cruisers out there, but it looks like Honda might have the ticket with its new '23 CL500 model. As far as the overall build, both have similar exposed framing for an industrial look, and the Honda boasts a round headlight and gauge as well to make that classic-custom connection. Displacement favors the Honda, but the power figures are neck-and-neck with 46 ponies and 32 pounds o' grunt against 45/26 for a razor-thin advantage to the CL500.
Another possible foe comes from closer to home with the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. Not quite as sporty looking, the Meteor nevertheless strikes a classic figure with its UJM proportions and old-school architecture. A 3.96-gallon teardrop fuel tank reinforces the dated looks, right along with the seating and little tiny buttstop for your passenger. Power drops off with only 20 horses and 19.9 pound-feet to leave the Kawi with a distinct performance advantage.
The question becomes, how fast and how quick do you really need? If you're like me, the answer is “more,” but I'll leave it up to you. For what it's worth, the Meteor costs only $4,899, which is just below a potential U.S. price, though that's up in the air for now.
He Said
“An interesting machine with an undeniable pedigree, the Eliminator looks like a good crossover bike for sporty riders looking to relax a bit on the back of a cruiser, and also as a good first bike as well for its low seat and accessibility. I can't help but wonder if we'll see an Eliminator with a larger engine in it, like they did in the old days. Time will tell.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,
“I like it. It has that unintimidating look that attracts new riders but still appeals to experienced riders who don't need to impress anyone. I can see folks that are looking at the Honda Rebel 500 or the Harley-Davidson Street 500 might want to also look at the Eliminator.”
“Kawasaki teased us with this bike for a while now. I am glad to see that it's actually hitting the streets – in Japan at least – in December 2023.”
FAQ
Q: When did the Kawasaki Eliminator come out?
The Kawasaki Eliminator was introduced in 1985 as the Eliminator 900.
Q: What is the top speed of a Kawasaki Eliminator?
Top speed on the new Eliminator is still an unknown as of this writing. It carries the same engine as the Ninja 400, which tops out at 116.7 mph.
Q: What years did Kawasaki make Eliminator?
Kawasaki produced variants of the Eliminator from 1985 through 2007.
Q: How fast can a Kawasaki Eliminator 125 go?
The 124 cc single-cylinder engine in the Eliminator 125 tops out at 100km/h (62 MPH).