Kawasaki Eliminator: Cruiser control
With Ninjaderived bits, the allnew Kawasaki Eliminator isn’t your everyday cruiser
Afamiliar name on a slightly unfamiliar bike, isn’t it? The Kawasaki Eliminator isn’t quite the same as its namesake from the early 2000s. It’s grown up, doesn’t sport a Bajaj badge, and has Ninja DNA in it. Priced at ₹5.62 lakh, exshowroom, it’s a fair bit more expensive than the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650. So while not in terms of value, what does the Eliminator have in store for the end consumer, and why should they take it seriously? We take the blackedout machine for a spin to find out all that and more.
At first glance, it looks like a typical cruiser, and while the allblack treatment adds to its wellproportioned appearance, come closer and you’ll be able to appreciate some interesting bits. The exposed chassis bits and the sharp tail are two of my favourite things about its design. Like the original Eliminator (for those new to this, the Eliminator range was spread wide globally, with the topspec model getting a 900 cc Vtwin), it sits low, with an 18inch wheel at the front and a 16 at the back.
ENGINE
It’s powered by a 451 cc paralleltwin engine that makes 45 bhp and 4.3 kgm. The moment you start the bike, it becomes evident that it’s no vanilla cruiser. The riding position is upright and the seat is set low, but despite that it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. The engine starts off smoothly but as you rev higher, it does transmit some vibrations through both the handlebar and the foot pegs. On the move, it seems to do well at low speeds in higher gears, without too much drama, but open the throttle, and you’ll soon realise that there is an abundance of power on tap.
HANDLING
What about handling? It’s not just the engine that’s come from the Ninja! The suspension is set up to offer a balance between an outright sporty ride and a supple one, but it works well. The Eliminator enters corners with grace and it obliges if you ride hard. Contrary to popular belief, as we found out after spending some time with it, the Eliminator feels nimble, its Ninjabased engine is anything but lazy, and to top it all, it doesn’t mind its front wheel being pulled off the ground every now and again.
The onboard switchgear is of decent quality, although the round LCD looks and feels from a generation ago, despite being legible. The only other grouse I have is that the boxy number plate holder looks awkward and ruins the front look of the motorcycle. Everything else seems all right for this cruiser. With how well it rides and handles, this is no ordinary bike. Unlike conventional cruisers, it feels young, not bogged down by its own weight, and most importantly, it doesn’t hide its Ninja DNA. Not bad, we’d say!