Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS Vs. Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE

Beginner-friendly motorcycles have always been in high demand due to so many novice riders wanting to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Honda has the Honda Rebel 500, an ideal beginner-friendly motorcycle due to being lightweight, having good handling, and being capable of producing adequate power. Honda also has a more lightweight and less-powerful version, the Honda Rebel 300. However, if you have a basic understanding of how to ride a motorcycle, the Honda Rebel 500 is suited for you. Meanwhile, Kawasaki has recently relaunched the entry-level version of the Kawasaki Eliminator with new upgrades, technological features, and a modern look. This article compares the Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS and the Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE.

The 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS has a modern and sporty design. Despite being an entry-level motorbike, it has a performance cruiser look with an exposed engine, head cowl, bobber-style front fender, and aggressive-style slash-cut rear fender. The Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS has a two-piece rider and passenger seat. It has a flat and wide fuel tank, having a capacity of 3.4 gal. The matte black finish gives the Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS a premium look. The blacked-out round side mirrors are mounted to the tracker high handlebars. The rods and bars enclosing the engine give it a naked bike look. The fat rear tire and stylish 10-spoke wheels ensure an enhanced sporty look. The Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS is available in a dual-tone candy steel furnace orange/ebony color scheme, making it more aesthetically appealing.

The Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE also has a modern cruiser look with a taller front end, head cowl, and an elevated fuel tank. It has a unique frame design and a matte black finish. The Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE is available in only one single-tone titanium metallic color scheme and has a brown-color solo rider seat, giving this motorcycle a trendy look. The blacked-out round side mirrors are attached to the tracker high handlebars. The Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE has a bobber-style front fender and a chopped rear fender. It also has fat front and rear tires and stylish 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels, giving it a sporty look.

The Kawasaki Eliminator’s engine is fitted with a 451 cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine based on the Kawasaki Ninja 400, capable of a horsepower of 49 hp at 10,500 rpm and a torque of 42.98 Nm at 8,000 rpm. The stroke size has been increased to give it an additional engine displacement of 52 cc. The 451 cc engine offers adequate power and smooth low-end torque for better linear performance on highways and slow-speed maneuverability while riding through traffic, making it ideal for beginners.

Due to being liquid-cooled, the Kawasaki Eliminator has a wide radiator installed in front of the engine, and the 32 mm throttle valves ensure maximum air intake for smooth throttle response.

The super-light assist and slipper clutch ensures smooth clutch operation and easy gear shifting. The Kawasaki Eliminator is fitted with the same trellis steel frame used in the Kawasaki Ninja 400 to ensure strength, agility, and low seat height.

The front brake has a 310 mm single disc with twin-piston calipers, and the rear brake has a 220 mm single disc with a single-piston caliper. The single-disc front and rear brakes are adequate to stop a motorcycle, with a curb weight of 390.3 lbs. ABS is also standard on the Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS.

The Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS is also fitted with a 41 mm telescopic front fork and traditionally-styled twin rear shock absorbers, having a wheel travel of 4.7 inches (front) and 3.1 inches (rear).

The Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE is one of the best-performing beginner motorcycles available in the market due to being lightweight, easy to handle, and stylish. It is powered by a 471 cc parallel-twin engine capable of a horsepower of 46.9 hp and a torque of 43.3 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The Honda Rebel 500 is a reliable motorcycle requiring low maintenance and repair. The liquid-cooled engine ensures better heat dissipation to keep the engine’s temperature low. The lightweight design, and long-stroke engine layout, and raked-out front end ensure better linear performance and a top speed of 95 mph.

The Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE also comes with a slipper & assist clutch that ensures a light clutch pull and smooth gear shifting. The steel-tube frame structure gives this motorcycle a naked bike look as the machinery is mostly exposed. The 41 mm hydraulic front forks and twin rear shocks provide a front wheel travel of 5.5 inches and a rear wheel travel of 3.7 inches. The Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE also comes with a single front and rear disc brake and an ABS as a standard feature to ensure reliable braking.

The Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS is a modern sporty cruiser with relaxed yet slightly aggressive ergonomics. As an entry-level motorbike, it is ideal for daily commutes and weekend rides within the city. The handlebars are within comfortable reach of the rider and the mid-mounted foot controls ensure adequate legroom for riders of average height. Taller riders will find the legroom a bit uncomfortable on longer rides but they can comfortably sit in an upright riding posture. Meanwhile, average riders will have to lean slightly forward to reach the handlebars. The footpegs are designed with rubber paddings and hidden counterweights to reduce vibrations while riding. The Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS is not designed for long-distance rides.

The Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE is comfortable for both average and taller riders due to its comfortable legroom and handlebars position. Riders can comfortably adjust their legs while riding due to its slightly forward-mounted foot controls. The low-mounted handlebars require average-sized riders to sit a little aggressively. However, riders above 6 ft can comfortably ride this Honda model. Riders 5 ft 6 in tall can also place both their feet on the ground while parked due to its low seat height of 27.2 inches.

• ABS
• Ergo-Fit
• Smartphone Connectivity
• Assist & Slipper Clutch
• Waterproof USB-C Outlet
• Rideology The App (To keep a record of riding stats and check vehicle status and information)

• ABS
• Slipper & Assist Clutch

The Honda Rebel 500 may be underpowered for most experienced riders; however, it is nimble, agile, and light enough to perform well at highway speeds. It can reach a top speed of 95 mph and you can comfortably ride the Honda Rebel 500 at a constant speed of 80 mph on highways and open roads.

You can easily install a passenger seat on the Honda Rebel 500 for comfortable two-up riding. The 471 cc parallel-twin engine is capable of carrying an adequate load and a passenger. However, the Honda Rebel 500’s ergonomics are best suited for solo riding on long-distance tours.

The Honda Rebel 500 is equipped with Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with a 34 mm throttle body to ensure high fuel mileage. With a fuel tank size of 3 gal and a fuel mileage of 67 mpg, it can get around 200 miles per tank on average.

Both the Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE and the Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS are lightweight, nimble, and comfortable which make them ideal entry-level motorcycles for novice riders. Both motorcycles have several similar features, including parallel-twin engines, single front and rear disc brakes, ABS, and a head cowl. Despite being fitted with a slightly bigger engine, the Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE produces almost similar horsepower and torque as the Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS.

The 2023 Kawasaki Eliminator is expected to give good competition to the Honda Rebel 500 in the beginner motorcycle market. The Kawasaki Eliminator is equipped with several advanced rider aids, including Ergo-Fit smart feature to adjust the ergonomics, Bluetooth connectivity, and C-type USB charging port which makes it a slightly better option than the Honda Rebel 500. Meanwhile, the Honda Rebel 500 ABS model is $300 cheaper than the Kawasaki Eliminator ABS model and has an established fan base and market share. This motorcycle also beats the Kawasaki Eliminator in terms of aesthetics.

If you want to further improve the look and performance of your motorcycle, Viking Bags have specially designed sissy bars with pads and luggage bags, including saddlebags, tool bags, sissy bar bags, hard motorcycle trunk bags, tail bags, and tank bags. You can also find other aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags, including fairings, crash bars, handlebars, and seats.