Kawasaki Eliminator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kawasaki Eliminator is a cruiser-type motorycle that has been produced in several variants since its introduction in 1985 as the ZL900. Billed as a "power cruiser" through the 1980's and mid-90's, Kawasaki now sells the Eliminator as an entry-level cruiser.
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[edit] ZL900
Introduced in 1985, the ZL900 evolved from the legendary Kawasaki Z1. The ZL900 was designed to evoke images of the wildly successful Z1 drag bikes, with a bobbed rear fender, short travel fork, large rear tire, fat chromed mufflers, a small fuel tank and low straight handlebars. The ZL900 engine was a transplanted and slightly modified version of the liquid-cooled I4 introduced in the 1984 Kawasaki ZX900 Ninja. Kawasaki used smaller 32 mm carburetors (the ZX900 used 34 mm), different timing and camshafts with less duration. This gave the engine a dramatically different personality, trading the Ninja's high-end surge for low-end grunt and a meaty mid-range that was more suitable for a cruiser. At the time, the ZL900 was the only bike in its segment using an I4 powerplant instead of a V4 configuration.
The ZL900 garnered praise for its excellent powerplant and inspired styling. The pursuit of drag-bike style, however, resulted in some functional compromises. First, some riders complained about a lack of cornering clearance. The ZL900 was long and low like a drag bike, so sporting riders who wanted ZX900 power in a cruiser had to give up riding the twisties. Additionally, pushing the bike hard overwhelmed the skinny front tire and brought the rear suspension's shortcomings to the surface. More universally, owners and magazines alike bemoaned the Eliminator's lack of range due to its small fuel tank capacity. At 25-35 mpg on a 2.9 gallon tank, even conservative riders were forced to find a filling station after 100 miles or less.
| Length | 2240 mm |
| Width | 810 mm |
| Height | 1075 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1595 mm |
| Clearance | 145 mm |
| Seat Height | 745 mm |
| Weight | 238 kg |
| Fluid Capacities | Fuel, 2.9 gal
Oil, 3.7 L |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled 16V DOHC I4 |
| Bore x Stroke | 72.5 x 55.0 mm |
| Displacement | 908 cc |
| Compression | 11.0 |
| Power | 105 hp @9500, 63 ft·lbf @8000 |
| Carbs | 4x 32 mm Keihin CV |
| Rake | 29° |
| Trail | 102 mm |
| Tires | Front, 100/90-18
Rear, 160/80-15 |
| Brakes | Front, Dual Disc
Rear, Single Disc |
[edit] ZL1000
The ZL1000 was an evolution of the ZL900, sporting a larger engine and 34 mm carburetors.
| Length | 2330 mm |
| Width | 805 mm |
| Height | 1130 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1615 mm |
| Clearance | |
| Seat Height | |
| Weight | 243 kg |
| Fluid Capacities | Fuel, 18.5 L |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled 16V DOHC I4 |
| Bore x Stroke | 74 x 58 mm |
| Displacement | 997 cc |
| Compression | |
| Power | 110 hp @, 67.2 ft·lbf @ |
| Carbs | 4x 34 mm Keihin CV |
| Rake | |
| Trail | |
| Tires | Front, 100/90-18
Rear, 160/80-15 |
| Brakes | Front, Dual Disc
Rear, Single Disc |
[edit] ZL750
The ZL750 was sold from 1986-1989 as a mild-mannered version of its big brothers.
| Length | |
| Width | |
| Height | |
| Wheelbase | 1595 mm |
| Clearance | |
| Seat Height | 745 mm |
| Weight | 238 kg (dry) |
| Fuel/Oil Capacity | 11.0 L / L |
| Oil cap. | |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled 16V DOHC I4 |
| Bore x Stroke | |
| Displacement | |
| Compression | |
| Power | 77 hp @9000, ft·lbf @ |
| Carbs | 4x 32 mm Keihin |
| Rake | |
| Trail | |
| Tires (F,R) | 100/90-18, 160/80-15 |
| Brakes (F,R) | Dual Disc, Single Disc |
[edit] ZL600
The ZL600 had the same type of transplant as its bigger siblings: a slightly modified engine from the Kawasaki Ninja 600. The ZL600 was sold as late as 1996, though by then its mid-80's engine earned reviews from the motorcycle press that dubbed the bike outdated, underpowered and overpriced.
| Length | 2210 mm |
| Width | 775 mm |
| Height | 1120 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1550 mm |
| Clearance | 145 mm |
| Seat Height | 720 mm |
| Weight | 194 kg |
| Fuel/Oil Capacity | 12.3 L / 3.0 L |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled 16V DOHC I4 |
| Bore x Stroke | 60 x 52.4 mm |
| Displacement | 592 cc |
| Compression | 11.0 |
| Power | 74 hp @10500, 39.8 ft·lbf @8500 |
| Carbs | 4x 30 mm Keihin CV |
| Rake | 29.5° |
| Trail | 107 mm |
| Tires (F,R) | 100/90-18, 150/80-15 |
| Brakes (F,R) | Front, Single Disc
Rear, Drum |
[edit] ZL500
| Length | 2240 mm |
| Width | 795 mm |
| Height | 1065 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1550 mm |
| Clearance | 145 mm |
| Seat Height | 720 mm |
| Weight | 195 kg |
| Fluid Capacities | Fuel, 12.3 L
Oil, 3.0 L |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled 16V DOHC I4 |
| Bore x Stroke | 55 x 52.4 mm |
| Displacement | 497 cc |
| Compression | 11.0 |
| Power | hp @, ft·lbf @ |
| Carbs | 4x 30 mm Keihin CV |
| Rake | 29.5° |
| Trail | 105 mm |
| Tires (F, R) | 100/90-18, 150/80-15 |
| Brakes (F, R) | Single Disc, Drum |
[edit] ZL400
The ZL400 ceased production in 1994. Unlike larger models, some versions of the ZL400 had a chain instead of shaft drive.
| Length | 2245 mm |
| Width | 720 mm |
| Height | 1090 mm |
| Wheelbase | mm |
| Clearance | mm |
| Seat Height | 705 mm |
| Weight | 195 kg (dry) |
| Fuel/Oil Capacity | 13 L / L |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled 16V DOHC I4 |
| Bore x Stroke | x mm |
| Displacement | 398 cc |
| Compression | |
| Power | 53 hp @12000, 3.4 kg-m @10000 |
| Carbs | |
| Rake | |
| Trail | |
| Tires (F, R) | 100/90-18, 150/80-15 |
| Brakes (F, R) |
[edit] EL250
| Length | |
| Width | |
| Height | |
| Wheelbase | |
| Clearance | |
| Seat Height | |
| Weight | 167 kg |
| Fuel/Oil Capacity | L / L |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled DOHC 8v V-Twin |
| Bore x Stroke | 62.0 x 41.4 mm |
| Displacement | 249 cc |
| Compression | |
| Power | 30 hp @12000, 26 ft·lbf @10000 |
| Carbs | 2x 32 mm Keihin |
| Rake | 33° |
| Trail | |
| Tires (F, R) | |
| Brakes (F, R) | Single Disc, Drum |
[edit] EL175
The EL175 is sold in India by Bajaj Auto.
| Length | |
| Width | |
| Height | |
| Wheelbase | 1470 mm |
| Clearance | |
| Seat Height | 681 mm |
| Weight | 128 kg |
| Fuel/Oil Capacity | 13 L / L |
| Engine | Air-Cooled SOHC 2v Single |
| Bore x Stroke | 55 x 52.4 mm |
| Displacement | 174 cc |
| Compression | 9.6 |
| Power | 15.2 hp @, ft·lbf @ |
| Carburetion | 1x Mikuni 28 mm |
| Rake | 34° |
| Trail | 122 mm |
| Front Tire | 90/90-17 |
| Rear Tire | 130/90-15 |
| Front Brake | Single Disc |
| Rear Brake | Drum |
[edit] EL125
The Kawasaki Eliminator 125 is Kawasaki's entry level cruiser. Its light weight, small stature and unintimidating power delivery make it a great choice for new riders. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation uses this bike in their beginner riders courses for those very reasons. It is powered by a 125 cc, air cooled, four stroke, single cylinder engine. In 2005 the MSRP for this model is $2,649.
The Eliminator 125 has the distinction of being the smallest production motorcycle (not including scooters) currently being sold in the United States.
