Kawasaki Eliminator 125 Bn125: Detailed Specs, Background, Performance And More

Small displacement, lightweight, tiny stature, and impressive power delivery, the Eliminator 125 by Kawasaki has got it all!

Powered with a 125cc air-cooled four-stroke engine, this entry-level cruiser is perfect for city cruising. The bike has a low seat and a wide powerband that embodies the classic cruiser style. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners or anyone searching for a quick way to get on the road.

Initially, Kawasaki envisioned their smallest Eliminator as an ideal beginner's ride: a compact, light cruising motorbike that could serve as both a learning bike and a commuter. Kawasaki had no idea that this bike would become famous not only among new riders, but also among commuters looking for a low-cost form of transportation in the modern age.

Read on to learn more about the specifications, history, and performance of this compact Kawasaki cruiser.

The Kawasaki Eliminator 125 was a small single-cylinder five-stroke cruiser introduced by Kawasaki as a member of the Eliminator series in 1997.

Since its launch in 1985 as the 900 Eliminator, the Kawasaki Eliminator has been built as various versions . The first two versions of the bike, the 1985 Eliminator and the 1986 ZL900, both used a shaft drive, the ZX900 close-ratio gearbox, forward seating, and were almost street replicas of a drag-style bikes. Both of these bikes used the same engine as the 900cc Ninja, however with differing intake and exhaust arrangements.

Kawasaki has been producing Eliminator versions since the 1980s, but it was not until 1997 that the 125cc variant was released. The Kawasaki Eliminator 125 was built with the same engine and five-speed gearbox as the earlier models . There was much for new riders to enjoy as the performance figures showed 12 hp at 9500 rpm and 9.9 Nm torque at 8000 rpm.

Later on, a new color scheme was added, the Keihin PWK28 carburetors were installed, along with a new six-speed gearbox in 2005.

However, in 2006, Kawasaki switched to the Mikuni BS28 engine and installed the five-speed gearbox because the engine wasn’t energetic enough to function adequately at 6th gear.

The Kawasaki Eliminator 125 ruled the streets from 1997 to 2009 until Its production was discontinued. All models of this small cruiser had the same engine configuration; however, the design and some other features were updated over time.

The first three models of the Kawasaki Eliminator were almost the same and did not see any significant changes.

• Color Options: Red, Black

In 2001, Kawasaki added the carburetor fuel system to the Eliminator 125. The color scheme was also changed for 2000 and 2001.

• Color Options: Red, Black, Blue Silver

No significant changes were made, except for the colors and design.

• Color Options:

2003: Red, Black, and Blue
200: Red

In 2005, the fuel system was updated with a Keihin PWK28 engine in addition to the carburetor and a new six-speed gearbox replacing the older five-speed gearbox.

In 2006, Kawasaki again changed the gearbox to five-speed and introduced the Mikuni BS28 engine.

• Color Options:

2005: Black
2006: Candy Thunder Blue

The Eliminator 125 kept the same features for the 2007, 2008, and 2009 models, except for some changes in the color scheme and design.

• Color Options:

2007-2008: Galaxy Silver
2009: Metallic Phantom Silver

By drawing inspiration from their larger model, the Vulcan 500 LTC, Kawasaki was able to make the Eliminator 125 look as nice as its much more powerful counterpart . Consequently, the Eliminator features a low and streamlined body, multi-spoke wheels, and a roomy one-piece seat.

The Kawasaki Eliminator 125 is simple to ride, making it a fun vehicle to own. The 681mm seat height, five-speed transmission, and smooth shifting make this cruiser highly affordable. The instruments are mounted on the sinuously curved 3.4-gallon gas tank, which is positioned low to the ground due to the engine's compact size , maximizing the rider’s center of gravity.

Powered with a 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the Eliminator 125 runs smoothly and quietly while still having good gas economy. The air-cooled engine is small and light, simple to operate, and extremely economical, making this ride ideal for riding around town due to low and mid-range torque optimization.

The electronic starter makes ignition a breeze and the rider can take advantage of the engine’s full capacity thanks to the five-speed transmission, i.e., easy to shift.

The Kawasaki Eliminator 125 has a solid braking system provided by a single nine-inch hydraulically actuated front disc brake with a single-piston caliper. This single front disc brake and chrome-plated wire-spoke wheels on both ends provide adequate stopping power for this compact cruiser.

The low maintenance features of the bike include an electronic ignition, an automatic cam chain tensioner, and an electric starter with reliable brakes.

The Eliminator 125 has a low 26.8-inch seat, which makes it easier to find your balance when stopped. The ultra-low, thickly cushioned seat, bobbed rear fender, fat rear tire, highly polished chrome engine covers, and laid-back riding position further complete the overall cruiser aesthetic.

The engine is housed on a double-cradle frame made of high-tensile steel, and the ride is smooth and pleasant thanks to 33mm forks and a steel swingarm with twin, five-way preloaded-adjustable shocks.

Overall, the Kawasaki Eliminator 125 is a fantastic starter motorcycle for new riders. It inspires confidence and helps inexperienced riders perfect their riding skills due to its lightweight chassis, easy-to-use four-stroke engine, and low seat height. Quick learners can plan to step up to a larger displacement Kawasaki model due to being easy on the budget.

No doubt the Kawasaki Eliminator 125 is a reliable bike. The maintenance is quite easy as everything is out in the open. You can also change the oil and oil filters yourself. If taken care of, the bike can get almost 10,000 miles on it before a major engine rebuild.

The Kawasaki Eliminator can reach a top speed of 102km/hr or 63 mph.

Yes, the Kawasaki Eliminator 125 is the bike for you if you are a beginner looking for a safe and reliable motorcycle to practice on. The bike is considerably easy to operate because it’s small and lightweight. It can easily weave through traffic due to its 58-inch wheelbase.

You can enjoy a pleasant neutral riding position provided by the high handlebars and forward foot control. The bike is also economical and comfortable to ride for hours without getting fatigued because none of your body weight is bearing on your wrists while riding.

For the earliest models, you can easily find a Kawasaki Eliminator 125 at around $2,000. However, the prices got a little high with each new model update every year.

Although the Kawasaki Eliminator 125 is an old model, you can still give this bike a modern look with some good quality aftermarket parts. Kawasaki has offered various aftermarket parts that allow you to customize your Eliminator 125 for a fresh feel. These include fairings, crash bars, headlights, seats, etc.

This amazing cruiser can also be personalized to make your road trip even more pleasurable and convenient. You can carry your luggage around by adding saddlebags and luggage racks. Moreover, to make the bike even more comfortable for long rides, you can also install passenger backrests and sissy bars.