Kawasaki has recently revealed its latest creation, the Eliminator, a light-to-middleweight standard motorcycle that aims to meet the demands of everyday riders. With a focus on rider-friendliness, this machine combines performance, comfort, and retro styling reminiscent of Kawasaki’s power cruisers from the 1980s.
- powering the new Eliminator is the firm’s brand-new 451cc parallel-twin engine.
- in some markets, the Eliminator will continue to run with the tried and tested 399cc engine.
At the heart of the Eliminator lies a brand-new 451cc parallel-twin engine, derived from the renowned Ninja series. To enhance low-end torque, Kawasaki has increased the stroke by 6.8mm, resulting in a total displacement boost of 52cc.
The engine features the same 32mm throttle bodies as the 400cc model, along with a 5.8L airbox. It wouldn’t be surprising to see this upgraded powerplant making its way into other Kawasaki models in the future, although some markets, like Japan, will continue to use the 399cc engine.
Designed for lightness and agility, the Eliminator boasts a lightweight chassis with an upright riding position and a seat height of 734mm. The trellis frame, developed using advanced dynamic rigidity analysis, contributes to both the overall weight reduction and the low seat height.
Additionally, the square-tube swingarm, bolted directly to the engine via an aluminum swing arm mount plate, ensures improved torsional rigidity without the need for extra bracing.
Equipped with 18/16-inch wheels, the Eliminator sports a 130/70-18 tyre at the front and a 150/80-16 tyre at the rear. Braking power is provided by a single 310mm rotor with a two-piston caliper at the front, complemented by a 220mm rear disc also gripped by two pistons.
It’s important to note that ABS will only be available on select models of the Eliminator.
In the era of connectivity, the Eliminator embraces technology with Bluetooth functionality integrated into the instrument panel. Riders can utilize the Kawasaki Rideology app to access vehicle information, log their rides, receive mobile phone notifications, and customize various bike settings.