In keeping with Eliminators of the past, Kawasaki Eliminator 400 gets a 400cc engine from its Ninja counterpart, making 48 PS and 37 Nm
Kawasaki has brought one of its iconic nameplates back from the dead. If you have been following recent developments regarding Kawasaki’s pavilion at the Osaka Motor Show, you might have guessed where this is headed. Yes, the speculations turned out to be true, and Kawasaki Eliminator 400 has been launched.
The Japanese brand is launching it in two different variants, Standard and SE. The former is priced from 759,000 Yen (roughly translated to Rs. 4.7 lakh) and the latter is priced at 858,000 Yen (roughly translated to Rs. 5.31 lakh). SE gets special additions over the Standard variant.
Kawasaki Eliminator 400 – The New Cruiser In Town
Earlier, Kawasaki had teased a cruiser motorcycle on social media and even recently, we were teased with veiled motorcycles at Kawasaki pavilion in 2023 Osaka Motor Show. Automotive fraternity was on its heels, anticipating the revival of the Eliminator nameplate, which has turned out true.
Eliminator series is a true textbook-cruiser and was first introduced in 1985, starting with Eliminator 900 and soon expanded its portfolio with EL125, EL175 (Bajaj Eliminator in India), EL250, VN250, ZL400, ZL600, ZL750, ZL900 and ZL1000. Kawasaki Eliminator 400 is the spiritual successor of ZL400 of the yesteryear.
Eliminator 400 – Dimensions, Specs, Engine, Brakes, Suspension
Most of the Eliminator series got powertrains from their Ninja counterparts of similar displacements categories. That stays true here as well as Kawasaki Eliminator 400 gets the same powertrain as Ninja 400. It is a 398 cc parallel twin motor capable of developing 48 bhp of power and 37 Nm of torque, coupled to a 6-speed gearbox.
Unlike typical cruisers with torquey long-stroke engines, Eliminator 400 gets a big bore setup with redline pegged at 10,000 RPM. Drivetrain setup will be key here, to offer a similar character as a cruiser. The newly-developed trellis frame is suspended on 41mm USD front forks with 120 mm travel and twin shock absorbers at the rear with 90 mm travel.
Kawasaki Eliminator 400 measures 2250 mm in length, 785 mm in width, 1100 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 1520 mm. Even with a low seat height of 735 mm, Kawasaki has managed to carve out a decent 150 mm ground clearance. Front gets a 310 mm single disc setup and rear gets 240 mm disc. Both are equipped with twin-pot brake calipers.
With 12L of fuel in the tank, Kawasaki Eliminator 400 weighs in at 176 kg (SE weighs 178 kg), which is very spritely, when compared to cruisers with similar thrust. In Kawasaki’s cruiser lineup, Eliminator 400 sits below Vulcan S with a 650 cc engine derived from Ninja 650.
Loaded With Modern Features, New Tech
Owing to Eliminators of yesteryears, 400 gets round LED headlights and a round fully-digital instrument cluster. Turn indicators and tail lights are LED too, but they could have been round as well. Exhaust routing from both cylinders are channeled within a common pipe ending in a single canister setup.
The more expensive SE variant gets fork gaiters, a waterproof USB-C charging socket, special seat with leather, Mitsuba Sankowa GPS and two cameras at the front and back enabling dashcam function as well. It is not yet confirmed whether Kawasaki is bringing this to India or not. If launched in India, it will take on the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650.
