I have had this bike in gray ABS now for a month and have put 500 miles on it! Originally was going to buy the Vulcan S. After riding both I much more liked the riding position of the Eliminator than the forward controls of the Vulcan S. And at 100 lbs. lighter felt it was just as fast! Still in break in period but there is no lack of power on this bike! Mirror position is horrible put extenders on it first thing so you can see behind you. My fuel gauge is bouncing around a lot and will have it checked at the 600 mile service! Took my first night ride the other day and the LED lights are awesome no worries there. No complaints on exhaust for me I like the sound and it is fairly quiet. For me as a re-entry rider after 10 years I think it is the perfect! I have tried to ride in all conditions, heavy traffic, freeway, high wind, twisties, around town, it performs well in all.
Great info. I am getting back into riding after 10 years as well and this looks like the perfect bike for me. I'm 54 and a female rider. Loving the reviews!
I always loved the Kawasaki Eliminator name. It brings back the images of the 1980s ZL900s, really menacing looking bikes. (even though they later used that name for their 125cc bike too.)
I've got a Rebel and just bought the Eliminator for my son. To me, although the suspension travel is a little less on the Eliminator, it feels much smoother than the Rebel. Love both bikes, but I think the Eliminator is actually the better bike.
@@flomaster7998 I think the build quality is about the same. The Eliminator looks a little busy in the engine, the Rebel is cleaner, but I really like the Eliminator. If I had to do it over again, I'd get the Eliminator for myself rather than the Rebel. I think the Eliminator is just more fun to ride.
Forgot to mention, if you get the Eliminator, you will want to replace the mirrors immediately. Worst positioned mirrors I've ever seen. Neither I nor my son could see anything but our arms and shoulders in them. Nice set of bar end mirrors fixed that though.
Picking up my Eliminator 450 tomorrow from the dealer. I love the riding postion... somewher between a standard like the Triumph Bonneville and a more commkn cruiser. My biggest complaint was the mirrors are not in a good position. The arms are a bit shorter than they need to be. I've ridden a lot of different cc bikes over the years (Honda Forza 300, Suzuki GS650, Triumph Bonneville, BMW R80RT), and honestly, i dont need more than 50 hp. I dont think the majority of riders do.
Longtime Versys 650 gen1 rider chiming in - been looking at this smaller-sized cruiser because it weighs less (around 390 lbs?) and gets decent mpg's on the highway. Could be a good road trip steed. Just needs luggage, forward controls, heated grips, and a batwing fairing. And waaaaaay easier to pick up than a top-heavy Versys that falls flat on its side.
The Eliminator is 99.9% perfect, that .01% that keeps it from being 100% is the mirrors, those you need to put extenders on or replace them like right away.
I like this much better than the Rebel. Better style, more comfortable and faster. Particularly nice profile and neater dash. Cheap bars, but that's no big deal. Good review, and for once I enjoyed the background music. What is it, please?
Interesting. 50hp is exactly what the Vulcan VN900 is quoted off the showroom floor, but it has more torque and you can feel it. The sound is better too from a V-twin imo. But change up the monster mufflers for Vance & Hines + a cone-air filter with a simple Cobra 2000 plug and play fuel module dialed up to full rich (no dyno needed) and it surely pumps out over 60hp on the butt dyno :-) . Mine zipped up to 180kph on the highway from the slip road and it surprised a lot of sports bikes off the traffic lights. I should never have sold it ....
In my opinion the Eliminztor is MUCH better looking thenthe Rebels. I hate the way the fuek tank sloops down on the Rebels, they just look like an after thought. The Vulcan S is a great bike but they are $1000 more and doesn't some with a passsenger seat or passenger pegs. If you wanted these things it would cost even more. I'm 71 and have been riding since 1964 abd just sold the last Harley I will ever own. I paid $37,000 for it and it broke down four times within the first year. I sold it qhwn it was one year old and lost $9000. I can own the Eliminator for twenty years and then throw it away or give it away and not lose $9000. I've owned four Harleys over the years and lost an average of $10,000 per Harley. I've learned my lesson (I must be a slow learner) but I'm going back toJapaese bikes and Kawasakie are the ones I like best.
I wish people used it's actual name to avoid confusion. But a lot seem hurt by Kawasaki's choice to call it a "500" and refuse to do so. I guess Honda adding 20ccs to theirs get a free pass then, they don't have to call it the 470.
It looks great but kind of overprices for a 450cc affordable beginner's cruiser from kawasaki. Not extra premium nor extra powerful at jist 450cc and around 40 bhp. The Royal Enfield Super Meteor and The Shotgun with a 650 parallel twin being more premium bikes with larger engines at 650cc cost a lot less than this. Thos dont even have USD forks nor a mono shock speaking of premium parts.
in Europe it's considered A2 level, and anything above that is A level which is considered "Heavy". So for US people who move to the EU, you can get the A2 level easy, but for the A one you are required to re go the Tests !! Bummer.
That’s because it’s brand new from the dealer and the dealer has not reset the bike. The new Kawasakis have to be set by the dealer before they are sold, so yes, it does turn off.
Way better looking than a Honda Rebel (🤮), imho. But really disappointed in the engine size. The old zl900 Eliminator was cool. Not going to eliminate much with this 450cc.
I'm not looking to go super fast. My old Honda CL 450 from years ago was fast enough, this bike is faster. I like fast, agile bikes that handle well. My Voyager wasn't very much fun to drive.