Kawasaki this month uncovered its new Eliminator model at the Osaka Motorcycle Show in Japan, revealing a lightweight parallel-twin cruiser platform that is set to rival the likes of the Honda CMX500 and Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 in overseas markets.
The Kawasaki Eliminator, which is also built in a high-spec SE variant, will hit Japanese showrooms before the end of April, although there has been no indication from the brand’s local arm as to an Australian release.
Kawasaki’s local arm may be weighing up the business case to launch the Eliminator, which would certainly qualify for LAMS approval and offer a new entry-point into the cruiser segment with its approachable seat height of 735mm and manageable weight of 176kg.
It is possible that the Eliminator would step on the toes of Kawasaki’s current LAMS cruiser offering in the Vulcan S, which is sold from $10,578 plus on-road costs.
Other models in the segment include the Honda CMX500 ($10,473), which draws power from a 35kW/43Nm 471cc parallel twin, as well as the soon-to-launch Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 ($11,990) that is motivated by a familiar 35kW/52Nm 648cc motor.
Harley-Davidson’s Street 500 found great success in Australia, however, the bike was cut from the brand’s line-up in 2020.
Powering the new Kawasaki Eliminator is a 35kW/37Nm 398cc borrowed from the brand’s Ninja 400 sportsbike, which is housed in a trellis chassis with mid-mounted controls and with 18- and 16-inch wheels (front-to-rear).
Kawasaki originally introduced the Eliminator nameplate in 1985 with a model that similarly mated a cruiser chassis with a sportsbike-derived motor.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
