The Kawasaki Eliminator 500 is a custom cruiser that strips the segment back to its essentials, low, long and effortlessly stylish, built for riders who want genuine cruiser presence without the bulk or expense of a bigger machine. It gives new and returning riders an accessible, road focused route into cruiser life, built around proper Kawasaki running gear rather than a scaled down imitation of one, and its 2,250mm overall length sets a genuinely long, laid back silhouette from the moment it is parked at the kerb.
Power comes from a liquid-cooled 451cc parallel twin, a DOHC eight-valve unit with a 70 x 58.6mm bore and stroke and 11.3:1 compression, producing 45.4PS at 9,000rpm and 42.6Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. Digital ignition and electric starting make it fuss-free every time it is fired up, and fuel injection across a pair of 32mm throttle bodies keeps the response clean and easy to read. The drive runs through a six-speed gearbox and wet multi-disc clutch, calm enough for gentle boulevard cruising yet lively enough for a spirited back-road run, with a sealed chain keeping maintenance simple and a forced-lubrication wet sump looking after the bottom end.
A trellis frame in high-tensile steel keeps weight to a modest 176kg, while a 41mm telescopic fork offering 120mm of travel up front and twin shock absorbers giving 90mm at the rear, a deliberate nod to Kawasaki’s custom machines of old, create the low, stretched out stance the class demands across a 1,520mm wheelbase and 121mm of trail. A 310mm front disc with a dual-piston caliper and a 240mm rear disc provide the stopping power, running on 18 inch front and 16 inch rear wheels for that long, laid back custom silhouette.
The standout figure is the 735mm seat height, the lowest in Kawasaki’s 250 to 500cc road range, letting new and shorter riders plant both feet with total confidence, with accessory high and low seats available to fine-tune the fit further. With 150mm of ground clearance and a 13 litre tank for a useful range between stops, this is a bike for riders who want timeless custom looks and an unintimidating ride, whether as a first big bike or a relaxed weekend machine. Available now at GT Motorcycles, your Kawasaki dealer in Plymouth, serving riders across Devon and Cornwall, with finance and test rides available.
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