2005 Kawasaki Eliminator Review

The Kawasaki Eliminator lives up to its name, since it eliminates some of the hassles of learning how to ride a motorcycle. First manufactured by Kawasaki in 1986, the Eliminator 125 is considered an entry-level motorcycle and at one time was the only street bike this size for sale in the United States. The Eliminator 125 is light in weight (282 pounds) with an electric starter and low seat height of only 26.8 inches. As motorcycles go, it doesn’t have a lot of power, making it less intimidating to beginning riders. In 2010, the Eliminator 125 was named one of the easiest motorcycles to learn to ride on. In fact, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation uses the Eliminator 125 in its motorcycle training classes. Most riders use the Eliminator 125 as a stepping stone to larger displacement motorcycles. Even when they’re ready to move up, some riders keep the Eliminator for around-town riding. In a rider forum, one rider said he’d ridden the Eliminator 125 between Phoenix and San Diego several times; the ride was so comfortable, he was thinking of selling his big cruiser.

Kawasaki doesn’t upgrade its motorcycles very often, and the 2005 Eliminator 125 is no exception. The 2005 model hasn’t been changed in several years. Official fuel consumption estimates are not available, but riders report getting upwards of 90 mpg while riding a steady 55 mph. Top speed is reportedly 65 mph, which makes it barely fast enough for freeway riding. There’s room for a passenger on board, but speed and gas mileage may go down with the extra weight. One complaint about the Eliminator 125 is the lack of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) accessories, particularly a windshield and luggage. However, these are available from aftermarket sources. Black is the only color available for the 2005 Eliminator 125.