The 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator invites new and intermediate riders to get on and go. (Photos by Kevin Wing)
The all-new 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator is an entry-level cruiser with a sporty character. It slots above smaller beginner bikes to be a motorcycle that both new and intermediate riders can enjoy. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 451cc parallel-Twin derived from the Ninja 400 engine but with a longer stroke for added torque.
The Eliminator features a 28.9-inch seat height, a weight of only 386 lb (base model), and mid-mount footpegs, all important considerations for new riders looking for an easy-to-ride bike on which to practice the basics. It also has a slim fuel tank, all LED lighting, and a round LCD display with Bluetooth connectivity through Rideology the app.
Additional tech on the Eliminator includes a slip/assist clutch for lighter clutch feel, a positive neutral finder, and ABS on the ABS and SE versions.
The Eliminator comes in three version: base, ABS, and SE. The SE version includes a two-patterned seat, fork boots, a USB-C charging port, a headlight cowl, and the Candy Steel Furnace Orange/Ebony colorway. The base and ABS versions come in Pearl Robotic White and Pearl Storm Gray.
Watch the video to see the 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator in action or read our full review.
The Eliminator name returns to Kawasaki’s lineup after a long absence. This 451cc cruiser is light, fun, and affordable, making it ideal for new and intermediate riders. (Photos by Kevin Wing)
When a new rider asks for advice on a good first bike, they quickly find out that opinions vary wildly. Some will suggest a bike in the 250-300cc range, but that might not be ideal for riders who frequently travel at highway speeds. Others will suggest larger-displacement bikes that the new rider won’t outgrow, but those might be too intimidating and squash what little confidence the new rider had to begin with.
While the Eliminator sits a little higher than many cruisers, it maintains a low and long stance with a sleek fuel tank befitting a cruiser.
The 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator seeks to be the Goldilocks in this story, slotting above the smaller-displacement beginner bikes to be the bowl of porridge that is just right: It’s an approachable machine that will grow with a new rider while providing enough punch to entertain an intermediate rider.
The Eliminator’s 451cc parallel-Twin, derived from the engine in the Ninja 400, produces fun power across its rev range, although we’d wish for an equally fun exhaust note to match.
The Eliminator also seeks to attract new riders with a sport-cruiser style. The new 451cc parallel-Twin derived from the Ninja 400 likes to rev high and provides pizzazz, and the new chassis and ergonomics fall somewhere between a cruiser and a standard, making for a controllable yet comfortable riding experience. Add to that a light curb weight of only 386 lb for the base model, and you get a motorcycle that’s both easy and exciting to ride.
The Eliminator’s Ninja-derived parallel-Twin provides enticing power for canyon roads.
While the 2024 Eliminator is an all-new model for Kawasaki, the name is a familiar one. It first appeared in 1985 with the ZL900 Eliminator, a cruiser stuffed with the ZX900 Ninja’s liquid-cooled inline-Four. The Eliminator name carried on to other models up into the mid-2000s. Now, the Eliminator has returned and brings some of the sport-influenced lineage with it.
All lighting on the Eliminator is LED, but the round headlight harkens back to earlier Eliminators. The headlight features a low-beam chamber and a high-beam chamber with position lamps so that the whole light appears lit.
The Eliminator makes some nods to its namesakes in the styling department. The round headlight harkens back to earlier days, although now all lighting is LED. The tailsection is also reminiscent of older models, as are the headlight cowl and fork boots available on the SE version of the Eliminator.
The Eliminator slots between lesser-powered beginner bikes and heavier cruisers to be a motorcycle that’s both easy and exciting to ride.
These styling hints are incorporated into a contemporary look, so nobody will think you’re riding around on your dad or mom’s old bike recently unburied from the back of the garage. With a mostly blacked-out frame and other components, a slim fuel tank, and a tidy taillight and turnsignals, this is a modern-looking machine.
Kawasaki did a good job of making the Eliminator feel like a “real” cruiser – although the same can’t be said for its sound. The parallel-Twin uses a 180-degree crankshaft instead of the more popular and rumbly 270, so it doesn’t have a deep exhaust note befitting a cruiser. Some are more interested in how a bike performs, but there’s something to be said – particularly for cruisers – for sound and style. Deep down, we love a bike with character, and whereas Kawasaki has paid attention to the character of the Eliminator’s style, the company has missed the mark on giving us those nice rumbling exhaust notes we expect from a cruiser.
While this motorcycle fits into the cruiser box, its mid-mount footpegs and a slightly leaned-forward riding position edge toward the ergonomics of a standard motorcycle.
The good thing is that once you start riding, you remember that exhaust notes are superficial, and the real spirit of a motorcycle lies in its performance. What the engine lacks in sound, it makes up for in the riding experience. The liquid-cooled 451cc parallel-Twin with DOHC is derived from the Ninja 400’s 399cc platform, and its extra displacement comes from lengthening the stroke by 6.8mm, from 51.8mm to 58.6. That longer stroke adds torque befitting a cruiser, and that extra grunt is obvious while riding. This is a bike that is happy to lope through town and sit comfortably in a cruiser rev range with nice low-end pull. That is, until you decide to twist that throttle for a little more pep.
The slip/assist clutch reduces fatigue while riding in town amid stop lights, delivery trucks, and pedestrians with their canine companions.
Upon that twist, you’ll discover that this engine has so many revs to give. Redline shows at 11,000 rpm on the tachometer, and the power keeps building until that limit. Where you’d expect a cruiser like this to need shifting much earlier, this engine is eager to rev. Although Kawasaki doesn’t slot the Eliminator into the “sport-cruiser” category, the engine’s attitude certainly does. It pulls down low for a satisfying power surge, and then it continues building power all the way to its rev limit.
Engine performance is only a small part of the equation for a fun and comfortable beginner to intermediate bike. We need ergonomics to match. The riding position of the Eliminator is sportier than most cruisers. The mid-mount footpegs give a sense of control that is often lacking on more forward-mounted cruiser pegs. The 28.9-inch seat height is also a little taller than many cruisers. At five-foot-one, I am not able to flat-foot on the Eliminator, but I feel stable enough that I would be comfortable on this bike as a new rider. Accessory seats that raise or lower the height by 1 inch are available. The stock seat is nice and plush with a slightly scooped-out design.
A 310mm front disc with a Nissin dual-piston caliper sheds speed adequately, but the $300 extra for ABS front and rear is a worthwhile addition, especially for new riders.
The Eliminator’s brakes are uninspiring but get the job done. Up front is a single 310mm disc with a twin-piston caliper, and in the back is a single 220mm disc with a single-piston caliper. The ABS version of the Eliminator adds $300 onto the base price and 2 lb to the wet weight. The 41mm telescopic fork has 4.7 inches of travel, and the twin shocks have 3.1 inches of travel, and there is no adjustability. The suspension felt well balanced and absorbed all but the most egregious road bumps.
The round instrumentation screen also harkens back to Eliminators of yore. The LCD screen has a tachometer up top, speedometer, gear indicator, clock, fuel level, and the option to switch between odometer, two tripmeters, fuel range, and current and average fuel consumption.
The LCD display is simple, but all necessary information is included, and the gear indicator is particularly helpful for newer riders.
The Eliminator pairs with Kawasaki’s Rideology app. Once connected, the display will show message and call information. More interesting are the options available on the app itself, which includes vehicle information and general display settings (such as preferred units and clock format).
Most interesting is Rideology’s ability to log your rides. I used the app to track our test ride in and around Oceanside, California, and it showed a map of the route and information such as date and time, location, mileage, total trip time, and average speed. I found this feature quite fun, and I enjoyed the ability to look back at my route after the ride had ended. The app stops tracking the ride if the bike is keyed off, but as long as the rider remembers to resume the route on the app after gas or lunch stops, that isn’t an issue.
With a curb weight of only 386 lb, the Eliminator is easy to handle for newer riders.
Other useful technologies on the Eliminator are the slip/assist clutch and the positive neutral finder. The slip/assist clutch results in a very light clutch pull and easy shifting, which was helpful for reducing fatigue during our several photo stops throughout the test ride day. The positive neutral finder is a feature that is quite helpful for newer riders. When stopped or traveling below 6 mph, a lift of a toe from first gear will automatically access the neutral position and prevent upshifting to 2nd gear.
The Eliminator’s closest competitor is the Honda Rebel 500, which has a starting price of $6,449 for model year 2023. Both bikes have a sporty cruiser style, and a glance at the spec charts shows similar numbers. The Honda Rebel has 20cc more displacement than the Eliminator, but they make roughly the same torque (about 32 lb-ft). Kawasaki has not released horsepower figures for the Eliminator, but we expect those numbers to be similar as well. The Eliminator is lighter than the Rebel by 26 lb for the ABS versions, and the Eliminator has a longer wheelbase by about an inch. There are other small differences, but they stack up closely.
Kawaski’s motto for the Eliminator is “Just Ride,” and it’s a bike that invites you to do exactly that.
The Eliminator comes in three versions. The base model has an MSRP of $6,649. For an extra $300, you can upgrade to the ABS version. Both the base model and ABS version are available in Pearl Robotic White and Pearl Storm Gray. Tack on another $300, and for $7,249, you’ll get the SE version, which includes ABS, a headlight cowl, a USB-C outlet, fork boots, and a two-pattern seat. It’s also the only version available in the eye-catching Candy Steel Furnace Orange/Ebony colorway.
The 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator comes in non-ABS and ABS versions in Pearl Robotic White or Pearl Storm Gray, and the SE version (center) comes in a bright Candy Steel Furnace Orange/Ebony.
As someone who loves to see new riders finding their place in the world of motorcycling, I’m glad Kawasaki has recognized a hole in its lineup and made the effort to fill it, providing a cruiser option that’s more approachable and significantly lighter than the 650cc Vulcan S. With its light weight, low seat height, comfortable riding position, and a Ninja-derived engine, the Eliminator is a motorcycle that is as welcoming as it is fun.
Kawasaki as announced the all-new 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator, a bike the company says was “built with a timeless design, bringing a sleek and low element to the forefront and making an extremely welcoming motorcycle that can be enjoyed by a wide range of riders.”
Although the motorcycle is new, the name is not. In 1985, Kawasaki introduced the ZL900 Eliminator, a cruiser powered by the liquid-cooled inline-Four from the ZX900 Ninja. Inspired by Z1 dragbikes, the original Eliminator had a drag-style straight handlebar, a bobbed rear fender, a short-travel fork, a fat rear tire, big chrome mufflers, and shaft drive.
Various versions of the Eliminator were produced in the ’80s and ’90s, ranging from the ZL400 to the ZL1000. From the late ’90s to the mid-2000s, the Eliminator became an entry-level model in displacements ranging from 125cc to 250cc.
The 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator returns to its sportbike-powered roots. It has a liquid-cooled 451cc parallel-Twin DOHC engine adapted from the Ninja 400 sportbike. A a 6.8mm longer stroke bumps displacement from 399cc to 451cc and helps create strong low-end torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox, with the final gear ratio selected for a similar feel to some of its Ninja counterparts, and a slip/assist clutch.
Large 32mm throttle valves provide abundant air flow while the oval-shaped valves allow their closed position to sit at an angle, contributing to quicker throttle response. Fine-atomizing injectors aid in overall combustion efficiency and were closely placed near the intake ports to add to a smooth, linear throttle response.
A 5.8-liter airbox provides optimum intake efficiency and more engine power, and the design helps riders hear the engine’s intake noise during acceleration. Intake funnels are set at unequal heights to help tune out torque valleys for a smoother throttle response, and the downdraft intake tract helps contribute to the engine’s overall performance at higher rpms and eliminates space under the seat for easier ground reach.
Stopping power comes from a 2-piston caliper clamping down on a 310mm semi-floating petal front brake disc, and a rigid front brake master cylinder helps to eliminate idle stroke. In the rear is 2-piston caliper and 220mm petal disc. ABS is available on select models.
The Eliminator rides on 18-inch front and 16-inch rear 10-spoke wheels, shod in 130/70-18 tires up front and 150/80-16 in the rear.
The bike has a 41mm telescopic front fork and dual rear shocks, providing 4.7/3.5 inches of travel front/rear. It features a trellis frame designed with a geometry that Kawasaki says was intended to provide “light, natural handling to boost rider confidence to give a relaxed feel while riding.” It also has a square-tube swingarm with a die-cast aluminum swingarm mount plate that bolts to the back of the engine, both of which provide ample rigidity without additional structural weight. The Eliminator has a 3.7-gal fuel tank and comes in at a curb weight of approximately 386 lb for the non-ABS version and 388 lb with ABS.
From an ergonomic standpoint, the Eliminator has a relaxed riding position with footpegs in a central position. The pegs have hollow centers with hidden counterweights and are covered in hard rubber to reduce vibration. The 28.9-inch seat height and scooped design provide moderate hip support, and wide, flat handlebars contribute to easier bike control.
2024 Kawasaki Eliminator SE
Several aspects of the 2024 Eliminator’s styling pay homage to its namesake. The tail cowl stays true to the original Eliminator design but creates its own unique statement with a slim design that complements the long and low styling and a slash-cut lower line that Kawasaki says hints at the motorcycle’s performance potential and sleek appeal.
A round headlight is another nod to the overall heritage design but features a modern LED lamp with dual high/low beam chambers and position lamps so that the entire headlight appears lit like a traditional incandescent bulb. The taillight is also reminiscent of early Eliminator models with its slim, wide design.
A round LCD instrument panel was chosen to adorn the front of the motorcycle, and display functions include a digital speedometer, a digital bar-style tachometer, a gear position indicator, a clock, an odometer, dual trip meters, a fuel gauge and remaining fuel range, current and average fuel consumption, coolant temperature, maintenance reminder, smartphone mail and call notices, and a Bluetooth indicator. Riders can connect to their motorcycle wirelessly using Ridelogy the App.
2024 Kawasaki Eliminator SE
Complementing the Eliminator for 2024 is the addition of the all-new Eliminator SE, which adds several features to the standard model. The Eliminator SE comes in an orange color adorned with special graphics. The headlight cowl is reminiscent of those found on the original Eliminator SE motorcycles, with a mounting method intended to help add to the compact, stylish design.
A USB-C outlet with a waterproof design is mounted on the right handlebar, and while the Eliminator SE’s seat keeps the same overall shape as the standard Eliminator, it features a two-pattern seat leather and stitching along the top edge.
The 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator comes in Pearl Robotic White or Pearl Storm Gray for $6,649, while the Eliminator ABS comes in Pearl Robotic White or Metallic Flat Spark Black for $6,949 and the Eliminator SE ABS comes in Candy Steel Furnace Orange/Ebony for $7,249.
