The new Kawasaki Eliminator 500 debuted in mid 2023 overseas and now the bike has been launched in India at Rs 5.62 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
The bike debuts a new 451cc parallel twin motor that is derived from the engine in the Kawasaki Ninja 400. This motor gets a 6.8mm longer stroke, a larger airbox and bigger 32mm throttle bodies. Kawasaki has developed this engine to produce more torque and better ridability than the 400 and it has a slightly lower redline.
Peak power is 45hp at 9,000rpm while 42.6Nm of peak torque arrives at 6,000rpm. This engine recently made its debut in the new Ninja Kawasaki 500 and Z500 at EICMA 2023 as well. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox with a slip/assist clutch.
The Eliminator 500 uses a brand new chassis with dual rear shocks. This will give the bike a more old school cruiser look compared with its bigger sibling the Vulcan 650 which uses a monoshock.
However, there are many similarities to the Vulcan as well. Like the Vulcan, this is a long and low motorcycle and it also has a large 18-inch front wheel. But, the Eliminator gets a 16-inch rear wheel compared with the Vulcan's 17 inch wheel. Braking is handled by a single 310mm disc at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear. Dual channel ABS will be standard.
The Eliminator 500 will appeal to shorter riders with its low seat height of 734mm. Like the Kawasaki Vulcan 650, this motorcycle also has Kawasaki’s ergo-fit system which allows customers to choose from different optional handlebar and foot peg set-ups.
Ground clearance stands at 150mm and the bike weighs in at 176kg which is much lighter than the 235kg Vulcan S.
Since the Eliminator 500 comes to India as a CKD import, its price tag is on the higher side and the closest rivals to it include the recently unveiled Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 and the Benelli 502C.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
