FEATURE - 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Kawasaki Motors Australia
For the past few years, Kawasaki have been spoiling LAMS riders with a vast array of models. From slick sportsbikes to modern nakeds, retro nakeds, adventure bikes, tourers and cruisers, there’s a starter model in Kawasaki’s lineup to suit every taste and riding requirement.
A new addition to this already big range reached our shores recently in the form of the ‘Eliminator’ cruiser. Based on the current 400cc parallel twin Ninja 400 and Z 400 models, the Eliminator features increased engine capacity and bags of cruiser-specific styling touches. It’s also available in standard and SE form, giving riders even more options.
Kawasaki unveiled the all-new model at the Osaka Motorcycle Show in March, 2023, with Japanese market release following shortly after. It’s gradually been rolling out to other markets in Europe, Asia and the US since. Kawasaki Australia previewed the new model just over a year ago and it started arriving in local dealerships in January.
Although it occupies similar territory to the Vulcan S cruiser that’s already in Kawasaki’s range, it seems like the Eliminator won’t be replacing that model – at least for now. And while it features a smaller capacity engine and higher seat compared to the Vulcan S LAMS, what will work in the Eliminator’s favour is that it has more conventional ergonomics, is physically smaller and 50kg lighter; a significant factor for many first-time riders.
Two variants are offered - Eliminator and Eliminator SE – that share engine, frame, brakes, suspension and most other parts. The differences are mainly cosmetic, but the SE does include some additional equipment.
Earlier Eliminator
The Eliminator name has history with Kawasaki going back to 1985, when it was applied to a version of the GPZ900R with cruiser styling. The name was used on many subsequent Kawasaki models of varying engine capacities and configurations in the years that followed, and last appeared on a 125cc four-stroke single for European and UK markets in 2007.
The all-new Eliminator arrives in a greatly reduced LAMS cruiser market in Australia, following Harley-Davidson’s discontinuation of their Street 500 in 2021 (the X350 and X500 roadsters have arrived since), with a learner-approved version of Yamaha’s V-Star (nee Virago) cruiser off the market for even longer. Suzuki no longer offer a cruiser of any type, let alone a LAMS model, leaving Honda’s CMX500 as the new Kawasaki’s most obvious rival. Royal Enfield’s Meteor 350 and Super Meteor 650 cruisers are both LAMS-legal, as are the Benelli 502C and CFMoto 700 CL-X, although these two stretch the definition of ‘cruiser’ with their aesthetics.
More Torque, Less Power
It would have been easy to just drop the 399cc parallel twin from the Ninja and Z 400 models straight into the Eliminator, but Kawasaki stroked the engine to 451cc to increase torque – which is what you want in a cruiser model. Compared to the Ninja and Z 400 engine, stroke increases from 51.8mm to 58.6mm. Obviously, the 52cc capacity increase makes the Eliminator more competitive against Honda’s CMX500 with its 471cc engine.
Maximum torque of 42.6Nm at 6,000rpm is significantly more than the 37.0Nm at 8,000rpm from the 400 twins, but the Eliminator actually has slightly less power. Despite the increased displacement, peak power of 33.4kW at 9,000rpm from the 451cc twin is just under the 35.0kW at 10,000rpm from the 399cc Ninja and Z 400. The Vulcan S offers 35.0kW and 53.0Nm from its 649cc parallel twin in restricted LAMS spec.
Compression ratio changes from 11.5:1 to a milder 11.3:1 and there’s a modified exhaust system, too, but most other engine specs are unchanged from the 400 twins, including 32mm throttle bodies, digital ignition and liquid cooling. Fuel capacity is 13 litres, down from 14 in the Ninja and Z 400.
Primary and final ratio gearing for the six-speed transmission has been modified to suit the revised engine characteristics, but a wet, multi-disc clutch with slip/assist function from the 400 twins remains, as does chain final drive.
Cycle Specs
The Eliminator is built around a lightweight steel trellis frame, with conventional, non-adjustable suspension at each end. This works on an entry-level bike, as adjustability and higher-spec USD forks add cost. The 41mm forks offer 120mm of travel, while the twin rear shocks (the other 400 twins use a monoshock rear) have 90mm of travel.
The wheel combination is 18-inch front and 16-inch rear, while brakes consist of a single 310mm front disc and 240mm rear disc, both with two-piston calipers. There’s the now-mandatory dual-channel ABS, too, providing peace of mind for new riders.
Dimensions are 2,250 x 785 x 1,100mm (LxWxH), wheelbase is 1,520mm and ground clearance is 150mm. As mentioned, the Eliminator is 50kg lighter than the 226kg Vulcan S, but the seat height is 30mm higher at 735mm. Optional high and low seats are available, though, adjusting height up to 765mm or down to 715mm. These seat options are part of Kawasaki’s ‘Ergo Fit’ design system, which on other models – either through interchangeable parts or parts with interchangeable positions - offers adjustable handlebars and/or footpegs, as well as seat height adjustment.
The pillion pad is said to be “passenger friendly,” presumably meaning it’s well padded, even though it looks pretty thin and is probably best for short trips only.
While the Eliminator is a cruiser, the riding position is still quite upright. This is due to the conventional peg placement, unlike the Vulcan S, which has forward controls. Handlebar position is slightly lower than the Vulcan S, too. Overall, the Eliminator’s ergonomics are actually closer to those of the Ninja 400 and Z 400, despite its cruiser styling.
Tech and Features
Common to both the Eliminator and Eliminator SE is an assist & slipper clutch, LED lighting and an LCD instrument display. This circular gauge has a ribbon-style revcounter in the upper half, along with large digital speedo and gear position readouts. Odometer, tripmeter, fuel gauge and smartphone connectivity indicators are in the lower half. Around this gauge are the usual warning lights and buttons to set the tripmeters.
Whether it was intentional on Kawasaki’s part or not, the offset position (on the nearside) allows a smartphone for navigation duties to be mounted on the offside without obstructing the rider’s view of the gauge.
Smartphone connectivity, via Kawasaki’s ‘Rideology the App’, is standard, allowing the rider to view bike data, like fuel level and maintenance schedule, on their phone. On some Kawasaki models, Rideology the App also provides riding logs, displays call data on the instrument screen and allows display settings to be modified.
Choice of Two
The Kawasaki Eliminator is offered in standard and SE form. The standard version is available in Pearl Robotic White, with mostly blackout finishing for the frame, engine, wheels and other parts. The Eliminator SE is available in two-tone Ebony and Candy Steel Furnace Orange or two-tone Flat Ebony with Metallic Matte Carbon Grey. The multi-spoke alloy wheels common to both models are finished in black.
Along with the two-tone paint, the SE is defined against the base model with its fork gaiters, different seat trim and a blacked-out exhaust heat shield. The SE also comes with a headlight fairing and handlebar-mounted USB-C outlet (mounted above the right-hand switchgear) that the base Eliminator doesn’t get. Those extras also mean the SE is 1kg heavier at a listed 177kg wet.
Pricing for the Eliminator is $10,544 ride away for the base model, with the Eliminator SE at $11,058 ride away (will vary depending on region - see your Kawasaki dealer for specific pricing). That’s about on par with the CMX500, but over $10K is still a significant outlay for a LAMS bike. However, the nature of our licensing requirements mean you shouldn’t have any problems finding a buyer when it comes time to sell. It may also be worth considering retaining a bike like this as a daily rider when your restricted period ends.
For more details on the Kawasaki Eliminator and Eliminator SE, see your Kawasaki dealer, or go to: kawasaki.com.au
