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KAWASAKI EL125 ELIMINATOR (1998 - on) Review

MCN rating 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Owners' rating 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Specs Owners' reviews Bikes for saleFor sale
Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator motorcycle review - Riding
12

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Power: 12 bhp
Seat height: Low (26.8 in / 680 mm)
Weight: Low (298 lbs / 135 kg)

Prices

New £1,999
Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator’s a top little bike to hone your skills on with a responsive, smooth motor and easy handling. The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator is never going to win any races but that’s not what it’s about: it’ll haul you from A to B with little fuss, enabling you to enjoy the ride.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator is great for novices: everything’s easy to control with no nasty surprises. The throttle’s gentle but responsive, as are the clutch and gearbox. Combined with a great turning circle and low seat height, the Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator is easily manoeuvred, even by nervous novices. The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator's brakes and handling are great and it’s very well-balanced.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Learner legal but there’s only just enough to propel the Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator around. The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator is ideal for town riding, and the engine really does pull well right through the rev range, but launching yourself down a motorway could prove optimistic. Still, the Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator is smooth and predictable and, best of all, very reliable.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator is a well built, if fairly basic, machine. Bodily, there’s plenty of chrome to keep shiny and, if cared for, it should last well. The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator's engine is superb at what it does and few owners have problems with it whilst the front brake is particularly adept. The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator is relatively low on frills but nicely put together.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The price of Kawasaki EL125 Eliminators just seems to keep coming down. It’s great value, is categorised in a low insurance group and fuel consumption means big savings on the forecourt. Rivals, Honda’s VT125C Shadow and Suzuki’s VL125 Intruder, are both considerably more expensive than the Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator but the Suzuki GZ125 Marauder is the serious competition, at the same price. Find a Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator for sale.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator looks larger than it is (from certain angles, at least), with an ample seat for two, a plush pillion backrest and foot-forward controls for the rider. The ignition’s in a funny place (down below/in front of the fuel tank) and there’s no screen but the Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator's spoked wheels and chrome-housed, tank top dash certainly look the part.

Specs
Engine size 124cc
Engine type 2v single cylinder, 5 gears
Frame type Steel double cradle
Fuel capacity 13 litres
Seat height 680mm
Bike weight 135kg
Front suspension None
Rear suspension Preload
Front brake 250mm disc
Rear brake Drum
Front tyre size 90/90 x 17
Rear tyre size 130/90 x 15

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption 60 mpg
Annual road tax £24
Annual service cost -
New price £1,999
Used price -
Insurance group 5 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power 12 bhp
Max torque 7 ft-lb
Top speed 65 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 21 secs
Tank range 172 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

1998: Kawasaki EL125 Eliminator launched (it’s sometimes referred to as a “BN125”). Only minor/colour changes since.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the KAWASAKI EL125 ELIMINATOR (1998 - on)

6 owners have reviewed their KAWASAKI EL125 ELIMINATOR (1998 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your KAWASAKI EL125 ELIMINATOR (1998 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Engine: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Equipment: 3.2 out of 5 (3.2/5)
5 out of 5 Great Bike
27 March 2016 by Thomas Beckett

Version: BN125

Year: 2009

Very easy to ride. Great on Gas!! My insurance is only $39.00 a year !!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5

I am 5'9" 205 lbs and it pulls me along pretty well.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5

Buying experience: Bought from a friend for $1200.00. With the low Insurance and high MPG it is worth every cent!

4 out of 5 My first bike
22 June 2015 by Nicole

Year: 2005

I'm still getting to know this great little bike. Sometimes it takes a moment to heat up to work smoothly and struggles on hills But that is it, everything else is great about it I love this bike :)

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Brakes could be sharper Can struggle a bit on hills

Engine 5 out of 5

Love how it sounds

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Sometimes needs to sit to warm up before can be used but only takes a few minutes Built pretty strong Only had slight surface rusting but most of it sorted via elbow grease

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Still in first year so can't say for sure

Equipment 4 out of 5

I recommend getting Silvo silver polish. Works magic on the metal work for rust and cleaning.

Buying experience: Bought privately Was advertised at £950 and collection Paid £700 and delivery

4 out of 5 Eliminator
10 June 2012 by jimbobbikepants

Great first bike would recommend strongly. Nice handling always feels sure footed. Brakes aren't the best but do the job just need bit of a firmer squeeze. 73mph top speed but I'm a very light rider at 57kg. No rev counter but you soon learn the bike even as a newbie... Great bike!

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 2 out of 5
4 out of 5 Eliminator
10 June 2012 by jimbobbikepants

Great first bike would recommend strongly. Nice handling always feels sure footed. Brakes aren't the best but do the job just need bit of a firmer squeeze. 73mph top speed but I'm a very light rider at 57kg. No rev counter but you soon learn the bike even as a newbie... Great bike!

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 2 out of 5
5 out of 5 BN125 Review
26 April 2008 by cardiff_gareth

This is my first bike and its a cracker. Got it for a bargain price and for me its tidy! It has custom chopper looks and handles great. The only kwirk with it is after market accessories, don't be thinking you can go out and get a sissy bar etc as they are like rocking horse doo doo. Mine is in Nero black and it looks great. Engine reliabilty is super and spares are easy to get off ebay etc!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 2 out of 5
5 out of 5 cracker
17 January 2008 by deadfatelvis

my first bike, loved it , 60/70 mpg , very comfy , looks best in black!

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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