We have been clamoring for the local release of the Kawasaki Eliminator 400 since its official launch in Japan early this year.

When it made its global debut at the Bangkok Motor Show last March, cruiser fans from neighboring countries became more hopeful that they would soon be able to ride home the latest iteration of Kawasaki’s iconic cruiser.

For the youngins who are not in the know, the Kawasaki Eliminator cruiser line was introduced by Kawasaki in the mid-80s with different displacements, from 125cc to 900cc. What reached the Philippines about decades ago was the Eliminator 175 (BN 175).

When Kawasaki decided to discontinue the Eliminator, its engine lived on through the introduction of the Kawasaki Barako. Yes, a cruiser engine powers the well-loved pantra! But wait, there’s more! Did you know the same engine is also used on the W175? How cool is that?

Kawasaki recently released the latest version of the Eliminator in Indonesia but with a slightly bigger engine. It has a 451cc engine, which is believed to be the global market version. The version unveiled in Bangkok has a 399cc parallel twin shared by its full-faired sibling, the Ninja 400. This is intended for Thailand, and Japan markets only.  

If Kawasaki Motor Philippines brings in the Eliminator, we will probably get the one with the bigger engine. Hooray!

I do have some reservations, though. This Eliminator’s engine produces 38.24 kW (52 PS) at 10,000 rpm and 42.6 Nm at 7,500. That’s a bit rev-happy for a cruiser, I think.

The foot peg position also puts the rider’s legs on a 90-degree bend as opposed to the Vulcan S’s, which allows a feet-forward riding posture. Come to think of it; the new Kawasaki Eliminator might be more akin to a roadster than a cruiser.

What do you think?