Kawasaki Eliminator 400 announced for some Asian markets
The Kawasaki Eliminator 400 uses the Z400/Ninja 400 engine, and a new frame and suspension set up
KAWASAKI has pulled the wraps off a new cruiser at the Osaka Motor Show, as the 2023 Kawasaki Eliminator 400 is officially revealed.
Kawasaki is no stranger to making budget friendly and accessible cruisers, with the Vulcan S 650 being the current machine in the European range ticking both those boxes. There will be a new kid on the block in 2023, as the Eliminator 400 launches at the Osaka Motor Show - and as ever the question is whether it will arrive here or not.
Kawasaki Eliminator 400 details and features
While there is no word as yet as to whether the new cruiser will make it to the UK or Europe, it has received quite a bit of attention from the international motorcycle media. So far it has been seen at both the Osaka and Bangkok motorcycle shows, pointing to those regions as the first targets for the new machine.
What we do know is that this isn’t simply a Vulcan S with a smaller capacity motor slotted in. The frame for instance looks all-new, while the suspension set up and swing arm also seem to be specific for the model.
The front end of the bike comprises a 41mm cartridge fork, while braking duties are taken care of by single discs and two-piston calipers at both ends. The seat sits 735mm from the floor, making it about as accessible as bikes come, and RideApart is claiming the bike comes with an LCD display and LED lighting all-around.
Given that the engine of the bike is so closely related to two existing models, we'd expect a power output of around 49bhp and toque in the region of 28lb-ft. It is though likely Kawasaki will tune the unit slightly differently compared to the Ninja and Z400, possibly for more low-end grunt over top-end power.
The US website is also stating that a slightly higher spec SE version will be available, boasting a Type-C USB port, leather seat, and a Mitsuba Sankowa GPS-compatible driving recorder which puts two cameras on the bike, one in the front and one in the rear, recording the ride in a ‘dash-cam’ style.
The bike will be landing in Japan with a sticker price of ¥759,000 which equates to around £4,700 at today’s exchange rate.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
