Kawasaki Eliminator Review: Slightly Confused Cruiser

The Eliminator’s 451cc engine has been derived from the Ninja 500’s parallel-twin mill

• Suspension on the Eliminator includes a rather simple telescopic fork and dual shocks
• Even the 18-inch rear tyre is an inch smaller than the Super Meteor 650’s 19-inch unit
• And at Rs 5,62,000 (ex-showroom India), the Eliminator is over a lakh more expensive than the Super Meteor 650

Kawasaki has recently introduced the Eliminator in India, creating significant anticipation among enthusiasts. Positioned as a cruiser, the Eliminator caters to the Indian market's love for visually appealing cruisers. Despite not being exceptionally large, its aesthetic appeal raises questions about its overall performance. Can the Ninja 500-derived engine win us over? In our comprehensive review, we delve into these aspects and more.

Kawasaki Eliminator: Design & Features

The Eliminator showcases an LCD instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity. This cluster provides essential information such as speed, tachometer, gear position, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel level, fuel range, current and average fuel consumption, coolant temperature, and maintenance reminder. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with the Rideology app, offering access to ride data and call/message alerts.

And yes, while that doesn’t sound like a very modern console system, it’s definitely a lot more feature-packed than its direct rival, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650. 

Kawasaki Eliminator: Engine

Powered by a 451cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine derived from the upcoming Kawasaki Ninja 500, the Eliminator delivers 45.4PS at 9000rpm and 42.6Nm of torque at 6000rpm. Paired with a 6-speed gearbox featuring a slip-and-assist clutch, the engine's revvy nature is evident, reaching peak power at 9000rpm—a higher range for a cruiser. While lacking lower rev grunt, this design might require more frequent gear shifts, potentially affecting the cruiser experience.

Another issue with the engine is its vibrations. Our test bike was fairly vibey when you revved it out and that meant that we didn’t want to do that a whole lot too. And that is the Eliminator’s biggest flaw. Given that the engine is a revvy one, it isn’t very happy when you ride it slowly at low revs. But the moment you start revving it out, the harsh vibes discourage you from doing so and hence you’re left confused as to how you should ride it. 

Kawasaki Eliminator: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

Constructed on a sturdy steel trellis frame, the motorcycle incorporates a telescopic fork and a dual shock absorber suspension system. The braking setup includes a 310mm front disc and a 240mm rear disc, complemented by dual-channel ABS. Rolling on an 18-inch front and 16-inch rear alloy wheel configuration, the Eliminator maintains a manageable kerb weight of 176kg.

That said, the Eliminator still maintains the rather firm ride quality we associate with cruisers. Yes, it’s nowhere near being as firm as the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, but you will feel all the bumps and undulations in the road and the bike will bounce you around a fair bit. While it’s manageable for normal riders, the lighter ones (ones under 65kg) will definitely feel a fair bit of discomfort kick in after a while. So if outright comfort is what you’re looking for, we’d recommend you to look somewhere else. 

Kawasaki Eliminator: Dimensions

What works for the Eliminator the best is its handling. A 176kg kerb weight means the Eliminator is delightfully easy to steer around and push into corners and you really feel the lightness when tipping the bike over from one corner to the other. Admittedly, given its lightweight, it doesn’t feel just as stable as something like the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, it definitely doesn’t feel unnervingly unstable or anything of that sort. 

So if handling is one of your concerns while buying a cruiser, the Eliminator might be your pick of the two. That said, we’d still recommend you to test ride both bikes (the Kawasaki Eliminator and the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650) and decide for yourself, as to which bike you should get for yourself. 

Kawasaki Eliminator: Price

Priced at Rs 5,62,000 (ex-showroom), the Kawasaki Eliminator is offered in Metallic Flat Spark Black as the sole color option.

Verdict 

The Eliminator boasts appealing features, a revvy engine, and decent equipment. However, two significant drawbacks may dissuade potential buyers. Firstly, the price point places it against more versatile options in the market. Considering alternatives like the Super Meteor at a lower cost, the Eliminator's pricing strategy may limit its appeal. 

Moreover, the high spares and repairs cost, attributed to imported parts, adds to the ownership expenses. This aspect could steer buyers away, as an expensive purchase coupled with high maintenance costs might not be a favourable combination for potential cruiser enthusiasts.