One of Kawasaki’s most recognisable nameplates has been revived. You could have anticipated where this is going if you’ve been keeping up with recent developments involving Kawasaki’s booth at the Osaka Motor Show. Indeed, the Kawasaki Eliminator 400 has been released, proving the rumours to be accurate.
The Standard and SE versions are the two that the Japanese company is releasing. Priced starting at 759,000 Yen (approximately equivalent to Rs. 4.7 lakh for the former) and 858,000 Yen for the latter (roughly translated to Rs. 5.31 lakh). Above the Standard version, SE receives specific upgrades.
New Cruiser In Town: the Kawasaki Eliminator 400
Even more recently, we were tempted with veiled motorcycles at the Kawasaki booth in the 2023 Osaka Motor Show. Previously, Kawasaki had teased a cruiser motorbike on social media. The auto industry was hot on its heels, expecting the Eliminator nameplate to make a comeback, which has now been confirmed.
Beginning with the Eliminator 900 in 1985, the Eliminator series quickly expanded its line of vehicles to include the EL125, EL175 (known as the Bajaj Eliminator in India), EL250, VN250, ZL400, ZL600, ZL750, ZL900, and ZL1000. It is a real textbook-cruiser. The ZL400 of the past has a spiritual descendent in the Kawasaki Eliminator 400.
Engine, brakes, suspension, and dimensions for the Eliminator 400
The majority of the Eliminator series’ powertrains were derived from their comparable displacement categories of Ninja predecessors. This still holds true as the Kawasaki Eliminator 400 receives the same drivetrain as the Ninja 400. It has a 6 speed transmission with a 398 cc parallel twin engine that can produce 48 horsepower of power and 37 Nm of torque.
Eliminator 400 receives a huge bore layout with redline set at 10,000 RPM, in contrast to normal cruisers with torquey long-stroke engines. Drivetrain configuration will be crucial in order to provide a character akin to a cruiser. The newly created trellis frame is supported by dual rear shock absorbers with a 90 mm travel and 41mm USD front forks with 120 mm of travel.
The dimensions of the Kawasaki Eliminator 400 are 2250 mm in length, 785 mm in width, 1100 mm in height, and 1520 mm in wheelbase. Kawasaki has carved out a respectable 150 mm ground clearance despite the low 735 mm seat height. A 310 mm single disc is used up front, and a 240 mm disc is used in the back. They both have twin-pot brake callipers.
Kawasaki Eliminator 400 weighs 176 kg (SE weighs 178 kg) with 12L of fuel in the tank, which is light in comparison other cruisers with comparable thrust. Eliminator 400, a cruiser from Kawasaki with a 650 cc engine developed from Ninja 650, is listed below Vulcan S in the cruiser range.
Plenty with New Technology and Modern Features
Due to vintage Eliminators, the 400 has round LED headlamps and a completely digital circular instrument cluster. Although turn signals and tail lights are also LED, they may have been circular instead. Both cylinders’ exhaust is routed through a single pipe that ends in a single canister.
Fork gaiters, a waterproof USB-C charging port, an unique leather seat, Mitsuba Sankowa GPS, and two cameras at the front and rear that provide dashcam functionality are included in the more costly SE edition. Whether Kawasaki will deliver this to India or not is not yet verified. It will compete with the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 if it is introduced in India.
ALSO READ: New RDE compliant Kia Seltos begins from 10.89 lakh
