Kawasaki Eliminator 500 Test 2024

As is well known, the Greens like to get stuck on the roads and thereby achieve gridlock. Not so the Greens at Kawasaki, because the engineers from Japan are in the fast lane. One innovation after another, one development after another, and on top of that they're also pushing affordable motorsport. Just think of the ZX-4R Cup. Plus the Ninja ZX models, Versys, Z models, and the new KX450 - a lot is happening at Kawasaki.

The shrewd Japanese recognized that there's catching up to do in the urban bike segment. It's worth knowing that since 2020, sales figures in the mid-size segment, i.e. bikes from 350 - 750 cc, have risen significantly by 56%.

One reason why Kawasaki is adding the new Eliminator 500 to its model range in 2024. Five years of development leading up to the market launch in 2023 in Asia and the USA. There, however, under the name Eliminator 400 and fitted with the standard 400 Ninja engine.

This lifestyle bike targets those who don't want to ride a heavy touring bike, but who also don't want to squeeze into leathers before every ride on a hypersports bike. The Eliminator 500 is reserved for the cool cats, the laid-back lifestyle bikers. For those who want to smartly cruise to a coffee shop in Kevlar jeans, leather jacket, beanie and sunglasses, or want to get a bargain deal on their daily commute traffic jam.

To get a proper impression of this bike, Kawasaki invited us to Marbella, in the Andalusia region, where beautiful mountain roads in and in front of the Sierra Blanca mountains awaited us.

At the heart of the Eliminator 500 is an inline two-cylinder engine with 451 cc, delivering 45 hp (33.4 kW) at 9000 rpm. Doesn't sound like much, but this engine has good torque (42.6 Nm at 6000 rpm). How do the clever Japanese achieve this power from the lower rev range? By extending the piston stroke compared to the 400 engine, which forms the base, from 51.8 mm to 58.6 mm.

Features like downdraft air intakes ensure a short, direct intake path to the two cylinders. The 5.8-liter airbox with cylinder-specific intake funnels ensures the engine's smooth response. The engine was genuinely enjoyable, pulling gamely out of corners from the lower rev range. The six-speed gearbox works silky smooth, and even without a quickshifter it allows clutchless gear changes if you briefly ease off the throttle. Neutral is easy to find, which makes a lot of difference in city riding. There's nothing more tiresome than hunting for neutral for minutes at a red light.

Side fact: The Kawasaki Eliminator 500 is suitable for the A2 license class. It weighs just 176 kg (177 kg for the SE version), which makes the small cruiser very nimble and agile.

The chassis is set up in classic cruiser fashion: steel tube frame, twin-arm swingarm, twin shocks, and a 41 mm fork. The fork has 120 mm of non-adjustable travel, while the rear preload is adjustable in 5 stages. The tires, 130/70-18 front and 150/80-16 rear, look good and give the Eliminator 500 a mature appearance. The OEM tire choice of IRC Grand High Speed GS 23R doesn't convince me - there are certainly better alternatives out there.

The long wheelbase of 1520 mm, combined with the low seat height of just 735 mm and the slightly pulled-back handlebar, makes the cruiser extremely stable in a straight line without becoming unwieldy. The Kawasaki-typical Ergo-Fit options also offer two alternative seat heights (765 mm and 715 mm). This ensures an optimal seat height for both tall and short riders.

For me, at 174 cm and 74 kg, the original seat and the preset components, handlebar and levers fit well. I set the shock 2 stages harder, since I'm a sporty rider and the Kawasaki gave me a pumping feedback at brisk cornering speed. This made it noticeably better. The geometry helps enormously with braking, especially under hard trail braking. The Nissin two-piston brake caliper bites firmly into the 320 mm front brake disc, and the ABS works gently and conveys confidence when things get tight. A 240 mm disc is used at the rear.

The ground clearance is not bad for a chopper-like bike, although at a pretty sporty pace the footpegs can scrape. And to top it off, even the exhaust scrapes. But here we're already talking about a riding style atypical for a cruiser. On everyday rides we won't run into any problems.

The seating position is very comfortable, neutral above the footpegs, and allows good pressure on the pegs. This in turn invites relaxed cornering, since you barely need to work the handlebar for input. The back stays upright and spares the discs, so the yoga studio is spared for us. The 13-liter tank matches the narrow silhouette and looks coherent. The Kawasaki consumes on average around 4 liters, depending on riding style.

The Eliminator forgoes electronic gadgetry, which it doesn't really need either. Only the "Rideology the App" can be paired with a smartphone. From fuel level, maintenance intervals to route planning and overview, everything is accessible here. In addition, you also get info about calls and messages on your smartphone. Full LED lighting is standard nowadays, and the LCD display is tidy, simple and easy to read.

The SE version is available in Metallic Matte and Carbon Grey, the Standard in Metallic Flat Spark Black. Radiator grille, headlight cowl, black heat shield and rubber gaiters over the fork are the visual differences from the standard version.