Thread: Kawasaki Eliminator 400cc

At the age of 56 and having arthritic knees and hips, have the urge to get back in the saddle, and although my knowledge of older British bikes is passable, have no real knowledge of Japanese motorcycles, so can anyone please help me?

I have seen for sale a Kawasaki Eliminator 400cc, which I am told has it's correct documents (yet to be seen!), it is I believe a ZL, which seems to be partway between a tourer and a chopper. From looking on the internet, it appears to be about a 1991 model. It is in reasonably good condition, showing an indicated 22,000 Kms, no evidence of having been seriously dropped.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on this model? What is it like to ride and maintain, does it have any particular quirks? What sort of price would be sensible for this in LOS?

I hasten to add, that this is not my ideal bike, but it is something that has a riding position I can feel comfortable with, and would seem adequate for local riding, am certainly not considering any long distance rides!

So, gentlemen, your words of wisdom please?

How much is the bike ?
Good to hear your getting back in the saddle

Originally Posted by Rigger

How much is the bike ?
Good to hear your getting back in the saddle

Thanks!

Asking price is 65,000 Bht.

Originally Posted by a. boozer

which I am told has it's correct documents (yet to be seen!), it is I believe a ZL

If it has a plate and is in good condition that sounds like a good buy but even if it only has the import papers and is in good connditon still sounds fair to me

^
Don't know much on the specifics of the bike Boozer, but that price seems a little on the steep side for one even presuming it's all legitimate documents. I've seen a few advertised previously (and others similar) for around the 50k mark.

Boozer I don't know how tall you are but there's a nice honda africa twin for sale here:http://board.gt-rider.com/default.asp
They are a bit tall but have a good upright riding position, good for us older guys. Also it's got a bit more power than a 400. Price is 220K

Condition is the all important thing with used bikes.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Boozer I don't know how tall you are but there's a nice honda africa twin for sale here:http://board.gt-rider.com/default.asp
They are a bit tall but have a good upright riding position, good for us older guys. Also it's got a bit more power than a 400. Price is 220K

Condition is the all important thing with used bikes.

For the AT you must be tall and the seat is a killer 4/5 hours on that you will have yr arse on Fire. They have have a few mechanical issues as well.

Never seen a Eliminator 400 Boozer, but if it has a genuine book and is in near perfect condition its worth 65K otherwise its overpriced.
I have a Kawa Zephre 400 for sale at 50 with book.

Condition is the all important thing with used bikes

Dead right, you are better well overpaying for a excellent bike that saving 10/ 20 K on something that needs work, be way ahead in the long run.

Originally Posted by a. boozer

At the age of 56 and having arthritic knees and hips, have the urge to get back in the saddle,

Are you pulling our chain a bit Boozer or have you really got an arthritic condition ? Don't mean to sound callous, but 56 is a bit young to be falling to bits Mate.

Originally Posted by Eliminator

a.boozer, If it's a Kawasaki Eliminator 400 then it is indeed a ZL and from what I've heard and read, a really nice bike. A lot better than any Honda Steed (400cc or 600cc) and better than the Yamaha Dragstar. At least ZL400 has enough power to get out of it's own way and doesn't take eons to accomplish it. As far as the price goes, if it does have a clean greenbook then this is a plus. You should also take a good look at the bike for yourself and even ask if you can have your own mechanic take a look at the bike and papers for you. If the guy doesn't want you do that, then I would be skeptical of the deal.

There are a few sites with owners of this bike and I will pm those sites to you. Can you get some pics of the bike and post them here?

Hey, Chris, you still with us........

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Boozer I don't know how tall you are but there's a nice honda africa twin for sale here:http://board.gt-rider.com/default.asp
They are a bit tall but have a good upright riding position, good for us older guys. Also it's got a bit more power than a 400. Price is 220K

Mr Earl. Many thanks for that link, a lovely looking bike, but much too tall for me (like the Ducati V twin that I used to drool over, several years ago). I would definitely need to go to Tom Cruise' shoe maker to have blocks put in, if I were to attempt to get into the saddle!

Also, being totally realistic, it is probably more money than I can justify spending, on a machine that isn't going to clock up a lot of mileage.

Originally Posted by peterpan

Originally Posted by a. boozer

At the age of 56 and having arthritic knees and hips, have the urge to get back in the saddle,

Are you pulling our chain a bit Boozer or have you really got an arthritic condition ? Don't mean to sound callous, but 56 is a bit young to be falling to bits Mate.

PP. I only wish that I was pulling your chain!

Have had Arthritis for about eight years now, stopped me doing one thing that I really used to enjoy back in the U.K. - walking, used to enjoy long countryside walks, but mai bpen bloody rai!

Originally Posted by Eliminator

a.boozer, If it's a Kawasaki Eliminator 400 then it is indeed a ZL and from what I've heard and read, a really nice bike. A lot better than any Honda Steed (400cc or 600cc) and better than the Yamaha Dragstar. At least ZL400 has enough power to get out of it's own way and doesn't take eons to accomplish it. As far as the price goes, if it does have a clean greenbook then this is a plus. You should also take a good look at the bike for yourself and even ask if you can have your own mechanic take a look at the bike and papers for you. If the guy doesn't want you do that, then I would be skeptical of the deal.

There are a few sites with owners of this bike and I will pm those sites to you. Can you get some pics of the bike and post them here?

Eliminator. Much appreciated. Many Thanks!

Will get down over the weekend to take some pictures, probably have ask BH. to post them for me, as I am so bloody inept with all the gadgetry for putting pics on TD.

Nothing wrong with Kawas, and they have the advantage that because Thai think they are inferior to the Honda / Yamaha / Suzi they are much cheaper. Of course they havn't a clue but works to our advantage. a month ago I got offered a Superb Kawasaki 2002 ZZR 1200 which I think is superior to the Busa or BB for 180k including a plate, bargain when you look at the prices for the other two which you would have trouble picking up for that price without registration.

Went down to take some pictures this morning, and to look at the machine again, and guess what, the damned thing wasn't there! Neither was the chap that I spoke to before, and the best that I could understand from the young lad that was caretaking, was that he wouldn't be back until next week. So I will just have to wait until then, to see if it has been sold.

Here's one on Ebay: Find Kawasaki eliminator on eBay within, Kawasaki, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 30-Oct-07 2052 GMT)

just to give you an idea of price.

Originally Posted by Eliminator

Here's one on Ebay: Find Kawasaki eliminator on eBay within, Kawasaki, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 30-Oct-07 2052 GMT)

just to give you an idea of price.

Eliminator. Thanks, obviously great minds think alike, as I had already searched on e-bay and found this machine. I am just waiting now for the chap that has this bike to return and find out if it has been sold or not. Unfortunately, when I went down, Mrs. Boozer wasn't with me, and my ability to use the Thai language is limited, to say the least!