Kawasaki Eliminator vs Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

The Super Meteor 650 is powered by the likeable 648cc parallel-twin engine

• In terms of looks and road presence, the Super Meteor 650 definitely beats the Eliminator
• Its 648cc engine makes 47PS and 52.3Nm
• The Super Meteor 650 also became the first Royal Enfield bike to get an inverted fork

Cruisers have consistently garnered affection in India. Whether it's their robust aesthetics, torque-rich engines, or classic charm, there are myriad reasons to appreciate this genre of motorcycles. This is particularly true in a country like India, where a motorcycle's visual allure holds significant importance. 

However, following Harley Davidson's exit, Royal Enfield endeavored to dominate this segment with the Super Meteor 650, a motorcycle that left a commendable impression on us. Now, the question arises: Does the recently introduced Kawasaki Eliminator possess the prowess to outshine the Super Meteor? Let's delve into the details:

Kawasaki Eliminator vs Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Design & Features

The Eliminator boasts an LCD instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, providing information on speed, tachometer, gear position, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel level, fuel range, current and average fuel consumption, coolant temperature, and maintenance reminder. Furthermore, it offers integration with the Rideology app, enabling access to ride data and receiving call and message alerts.

Resembling its younger counterpart, the Meteor 350, the Super Meteor 650 exhibits a more substantial presence. With a low-slung, expansive seat and a laid-back riding posture designed for extended comfort during long-distance journeys, the cruiser exudes a distinctive appeal. Noteworthy features include a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, scooped seat, and robust fenders, contributing to its cruiser aesthetic.

Equipped with LED headlights and taillights, the motorcycle offers optional LED indicators. Notably, it incorporates a USD front fork, a first for a production Royal Enfield, and boasts alloy wheels with wide rear tyres. Premium variants include enhancements such as a windscreen, dual-tone seats for added comfort, and a cushioned pillion backrest.

The Super Meteor 650 features a semi-digital instrument cluster akin to the Meteor 350. It comprises an analogue speedometer, general telltale lights, and a digital inset providing information on fuel level, tripmeter, odometer, clock, gear position, and an Eco prompt. Additionally, the instrumentation integrates a Tripper Navigation pod powered by Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation.

Kawasaki Eliminator vs Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Engines

Propelled by a 451cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine derived from the upcoming Kawasaki Ninja 500, the Kawasaki Eliminator delivers a power output of 45.4PS at 9000rpm and a torque of 42.6Nm at 6000rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox equipped with a slip-and-assist clutch.

However, given that it’s derived from the upcoming Ninja 500, it is only obvious that this engine is a very revvy one. And that is clear from the fact that it makes its peak power at 9000rpm, which is pretty high for a cruiser. So while the Super Meteor 650 has a lovely torquey engine, this revvy one will make you shift gears a lot more often and you will have to be on the boil to get the most out of it. There isn’t a lot of grunt lower down the revs, which we think defeats the cruiser purpose.

Utilizing the same 650cc engine seen in the 650 twins, the Super Meteor maintains comparable power and torque. Renowned for its enjoyable power delivery and ample torque, the motorcycle benefits from a larger airbox and a revised fuel map. While it may not match the speed of the 650 twins (Interceptor or the Continental GT 650), its extended torque spread enables longer gear engagement. The weight of the bike does temper some of its agility.

But the engine will definitely keep you engaged. It has torque throughout the rev range and you can feel it everywhere. No matter what the gear and the speed is, the bike will pull hard the moment you open the throttle and it’ll propel its huge mass up ahead.

Kawasaki Eliminator vs Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

Built on a robust steel trellis frame, the motorcycle features a telescopic fork and a dual shock absorber suspension setup. The braking system comprises a 310mm front disc and a 240mm rear disc, supplemented by dual-channel ABS. Rolling on an 18-inch front and 16-inch rear alloy wheel configuration, it maintains a kerb weight of just 176kg.

Surprisingly enjoyable during rides, the Super Meteor excels in navigating various terrains. The torquey engine provides a captivating experience, making directional changes effortless and offering adequate grip levels. The bike's stability during leans is commendable, attributed to its 1500mm wheelbase. The robust braking system, featuring a USD fork, enhances stopping power, surpassing that of the Interceptor.

Kawasaki Eliminator vs Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Dimensions

Despite concerns about its 241kg kerb weight, the Super Meteor proves manageable. Lifting it off the side stand or maneuvering it in parking lots may require some effort, but its low saddle height facilitates easy propping on the main stand. The bike's weight distribution and low saddle height contribute to rider comfort, even during U-turns. 

Kawasaki Eliminator vs Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Price

With an ex-showroom price of Rs 5,62,000, the Kawasaki Eliminator is available in a single colour option: Metallic Flat Spark Black. The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 presents three variants: Astral, Interstellar, and Celestial, differing primarily in colour schemes. The Celestial variant stands out with its enhanced features, including a more cushioned seat, a tall windscreen, a comfortable pillion backrest, and premium colour options.

Verdict

The Kawasaki Eliminator has quite some things working for it. It looks decent, packs a rather revvy engine and has decent equipment. However, there are two major things that might discourage buyers from investing in this bike. Firstly, it’s the price. For Rs 5.62 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, you can get bikes that do a lot more and are more versatile than the Eliminator. Heck, you could just get the Super Meteor if you want a true blue cruiser and still save more than Rs 2 lakh. 

The other biggest thing against the Eliminator is Kawasaki’s spares and repairs cost. They’re notoriously high given that all the parts are imported from outside India and will hence make the ownership cost quite expensive. So the Eliminator not only comes off as an expensive purchase, but also one that will be expensive to maintain, which we don’t think is a good thing and it will turn many buyers away from this cruiser. 

Royal Enfield's Super Meteor 650, following the 2018 release of the 650 twins, pleasantly surprised with its parallel-twin engine's versatility. Filling the void left by the Harley-Davidson Street 750, the Super Meteor offers a compelling option without imposing the same financial strain.

And given how easy it is to get Royal Enfield bikes serviced and just overall maintain them, the Super Meteor 650 is a lot easier for us to recommend to anyone who wants a bike in this segment. Royal Enfield’s spares cost very less too so the overall ownership cost comes down drastically. Yes, it won’t be as cheap as the Royal Enfield 350s, obviously, but it’ll definitely be a lot cheaper than any other 650cc bike out in the market as of now. So if we had to pick a winner, it’d definitely be the Super Meteor 650.