Kawasaki Eliminator
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The Kawasaki Eliminator is a cruiser-type motorcycle that has been produced in several variants since its introduction in 1985 as the ZL900. Billed as a "power cruiser" through the 1980s and mid-1990s, Kawasaki now sells the Eliminator as an entry-level cruiser. Available in black for 2005, the Eliminator 125’s styling features include a stepped seat with laid-back riding comfort for two, a stretched 3.4-gallon fuel tank, straight-flow exhaust and chrome-plated single headlight.[1][2]
Contents |
[edit] Models
[edit] ZL900
Introduced in 1985, and only produced for 2 years, '85 and '86, 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. These bikes were produced by Kawasaki in Lincoln, Nebraska for the American market, but failed to live up to their potential here as there were stiff tariffs at the time for Japanese motrocycles over 700cc, they were wildly popular overseas in Europe due in large part to the decidedly "American" styling and plenty of dependable power.
The ZL900 garnered praise for its excellent powerplant and inspired styling, and still has a core group of followers that enjoy this unique, powerful and fun motorcycle, visit zl-oa.com for an online community of Eliminator owners.
[edit] Criticisms
The pursuit of drag-bike style resulted in some functional compromises. First, some riders[who?] complained about a lack of cornering clearance, although it took corners better than it's super-heavyweight competitors the Honda Magna V65, the Suzuki Madura and the Yamaha V-Max. 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[who?] 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. Even with all of the critisisms, the Kawasaki Eliminator was considered a "giant killer", and is still considered to be ahead of it's time even now some 20-plus years after it's initial introduction.
| 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 (85 N·m) @8000 |
| Carbs | 4x 32 mm Keihin CV |
| Rake | 29° |
| Trail | 102 mm |
| Tires | Front, 100/90-17
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 shared with the ZG1000 Concours and 34 mm carburetors. The styling of the ZL1000 was much more conservative than that of the 900, with a longer rear fender and a much larger fuel tank, this motorcycle was only available for 1 year, 1987, and shares the same strong following as the ZL900.
| Overall Length | 2305 mm |
| Overall Width | 790 mm |
| Overall Height | 1150 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1615 mm |
| Road Clearance | 155 mm |
| Seat Height | 750 mm |
| Dry Weight | 244 kg |
| Curb Weight | Front 124 kg. Rear 146 kg |
| Fluid Capacities | Fuel, 18.5 L |
| Lubrication System | Forced Lubrication
(Wet Sump) |
| Engine Oil | SF or SAE 10W/40, 10W/50,
20W/40, 20W/50 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.7 L |
| Spark Plug | NGK D8EA or ND X24ES-U
or NGK DR8ES-L or NG X24ESR-U |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled, 16V DOHC I4, |
| Bore x Stroke | 74.0 x 58.0 mm |
| Displacement | 997 mL / cc |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 |
| Max. Horsepower | 80.9kw (110ps) @, 9,000r/pm (rpm) |
| Max. Torque | 91.2 N-m (9.3kg-m, 67.3 ft·lbf)
@, 7,000r/pm (rpm) |
| Carbs | 4 x 34 mm CVK Keihin |
| Rake | 29° |
| Trail | 102mm |
| Brakes | Front, Dual Disc. Rear, Single Disc |
| Tires | OEM Front, Dunlop Tubeless F17 100/90-18 56H.
OEM Rear, Dunlop Tubeless K425 160/80-15 74H |
[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.
[edit] Criticisms
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 | 11.8 |
| Power | 74 hp @10500, 39.8 ft·lbf (54.0 N·m) @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] VN250
This model started production in 1998
| Length | 2355mm |
| Width | 775mm |
| Height | 1075mm |
| Wheelbase | 1620mm |
| Clearance | 150mm |
| Seat Height | 690mm |
| Weight | 167 kg |
| Fuel/Oil Capacity | 14L / L |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled DOHC 8v V-Twin |
| Bore x Stroke | 62.0 x 41.4 mm |
| Displacement | 249 cc |
| Compression | 12:1 |
| Power | 35 hp @12500, 17.7 ft·lbf (24.0 N·m) @9500 |
| Carbs | 2x 32 mm Keihin CVKR32 |
| Rake | 33° |
| Front Suspension | 41mm telescopic fork, 160mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Dual Shocks, adjustable preload, 300mm travel |
| Trail | 154mm |
| Tires (F, R) | 120/80-17, 160/80-15 |
| Brakes (F, R) | Single 300mm Disc, 130mm Drum |
á===EL250 (D5)=== The EL250 had a production run from 1988 to 1997 at which point it was superseded by the VN250.
| Length | 2180mm |
| Width | 745mm |
| Height | 1055mm |
| Wheelbase | 1490mm |
| Clearance | 160mm |
| Seat Height | 725mm |
| Weight | 140 kg |
| Fuel/Oil Capacity | 11L / 1.9L |
| Engine | Liquid-Cooled DOHC 8v Parallel-Twin |
| Bore x Stroke | 62.0 x 41.2 mm |
| Displacement | 248 cc |
| Compression | 12.0:1 |
| Power | 27 hp @11,800 |
| Torque | 12.9 ft·lbf (17.5 N·m) @9,800 |
| Carbs | Keihin CVK30 (2), Constant velocity, diaphragm-type |
| Rake | 29° |
| Tires (F, R) | 100/90-17, 140/90-15 |
| 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. The 2005 MSRP for this model is $1,980 according to Kelley Blue Book.
The Eliminator 125 has the distinction of being the smallest production motorcycle (not including scooters) currently being sold in the United States.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Mouthshut.com Review on Kawasaki Bajaj Eliminator. mouthshut.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
- ^ 2005 Bajaj Eliminator specifications. Bikez.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
[edit] External links
- Kawasaki ZL Owners Association
- Kawasaki Eliminator Riders Association
- Enthusiast page
- Kawasaki Eliminator Technical
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