Kawasaki Eliminator 125: Beginner Bike Profile + Owner Reviews

The Perfect Bike For Riding Around Town

Kawasaki Eliminator 125

The Classic Learners Motorcycle

Looking every bit the classic cruiser, the style of bike that first captured the interest and image for many craving to be a biker.

As you approach the bike, the slightly small stature begins to calm the fears of many new riders. The Eliminator 125 is not intimidating at all. Put a leg over and push the bike off the side stand, and suddenly a bit of confidence will begin to swell up. It isn’t too heavy, the balance is about what many expect it should be, there is nothing scary about this bike.

It is for those reasons that Kawasaki’s entry-level cruiser from 1997-2010 was the bike of choice for many Motorcycle Training Schools, including the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Our Take: Why You Should Buy an Eliminator 125

Not everyone gets into motorcycles with a fearless, devil may care sense of invincibility. Some have long craved the freedom that a motorcycle offers, but have a cautious nature. They already have a healthy respect for just how much power many motorcycles possess. The Eliminator 125 can take you on a ride every bit as enjoyable as larger cruisers, all the while filling you with confidence that you have control of the bike.

The low seat height really feels right for riders under 5’9”. The 12 hp engine is perfect for urban exploring, delivering smooth consistent power delivery across the rev range. The 125cc engine sips fuel, and insurance rates are a bargain on this bike.

Due to the engine size not making this an appropriate bike for long trips, many examples are very low mileage, despite being more than 10 years old now. When new, the MSRP was $2650, you can easily find excellent bikes for half that now.

Bottom line: The Eliminator 125 is a good-looking and affordable bike that is easily found on the used market. Training schools loved the Eliminator 125 for a good reason, it builds confidence quickly, is low and comfortable, and fits a wide range of rider sizes.

Reasons to buy the Eliminator 125:

  • The small frame is perfect for shorter riders.
  • The 125cc engine is VERY forgiving.
  • Front brakes are fantastic on this bike.
  • Cheap to fuel and insure

Reasons not to buy the Eliminator 125:

  • Low power output makes it a struggle on the highway
  • Tall riders will be uncomfortable

Production Run & Notable Model-Year Changes

Production Run & Model Generations

Kawasaki introduced the bike in 1997, and really never change the recipe until it was removed from their lineup going into the 2011 model year. The engine is designed to be more powerful at lower speeds, and its light weight makes it ideal for low-speed maneuvers. There are a few things this bike can’t do.

First Generation (1997-2010)

2004 Kawasaki Eliminator 125 EL125

  • Classic Cruiser looks, that still looks great today
  • With a dry weight of 291 lbs and a low seat height of 26.8 inches, the bike feels comfortable for most right from the start.
  • When new the Eliminator 125 was only $2649, used examples are a bargain today.

Owner Reviews of the Kawasaki eliminator 125

2007 Kawasaki Eliminator 125 EL125 Silver

Press & Magazines

Review Of The 2001 Kawasaki Eliminator 125 – Motorcyclecruiser.com

“Being the smallest bike in our entry-level cruiser comparison meant the Eliminator 125 started out with a 50 percent disadvantage when compared to the other contestants. Still, the little single has strengths that help it to stand up to challenge.”

Motorcyclecruiser.com

Kawasaki Eliminator 125 Review

“If you’re looking for a good bike for tooling around town, then the Kawasaki eliminator 125 may be the perfect bike.”

Best Beginner Motorcycles – Motorcycle Guy

What Owners Like

  • The Looks – It may be an entry-level cruiser but it doesn’t look that way. It has style and chrome.
  • Riding comfort – The seat is nice and low. Everyone finds it comfortable which helps keep the focus on safe riding.
  • The price – You can easily find a good condition Eliminator 125 for around $2,000, and at that price, it’s a no-brainer.
  • Fuel efficiency & range – I consistently get over 75 mpg, with the 3.4-gallon tank than means very few gas station stops.

What Owners Complain About

  • Performance – It’s fine in the city, but I wish it was able to stay at 70 mph.
  • Brakes – They stop the bike, but they’re just not as strong as they should be.

The Bottom Line

The Kawasaki Eliminator 125 is a very, very good bike to learn about riding motorcycles. Enough power to keep a smile on your face, but not enough to find trouble much more quickly than new riders are ready for.

It doesn’t scream rookie when you pull up in parking lots. It is a very good-looking cruiser. Nothing is worse than having all the eyes on the new person when you are trying to gain confidence and experience.

Kawasaki built a great bike at a great price. They sold quite a few and this is great news when out searching the bike ads. It is fairly straightforward to find a low mileage, well-cared-for, used bike at a great price.

Kawasaki Eliminator 125 rider view


Kawasaki Eliminator 125 Competitors

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Kawasaki Eliminator 125 Specifications

The important specs are listed below. See the Wikipedia page for more detailed specifications.

Engine 124.0 cc (7.57 cubic inches) Single cylinder, four-stroke
Top speed Est. 100.0 km/h (62.1 mph)
Power 12.0 HP (8.8 kW) @ 9500 RPM
Torque 9.7 Nm (1.0 kgf-m or 7.2 ft.lbs) @ 8000 RPM
Transmission 5-speed
Suspension

F: 36mm hydraulic telescopic fork

R: Twin shocks, 5-way adjustable preload

Brakes

F: Disc

R: Drum

Tires F: 90/90-17, R: 130/90-15
Dimensions Wheelbase: 1470 mm (57.9 inches)
Seat height 680 mm (26.8 inches)
Weight Dry: 128.0 kg (282.2 pounds)
Fuel capacity 13.00 litres (3.43 gallons)
Fuel consumption 77.0 mpg (3.05 L/100 km)

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