Kawasaki to Discontinue Eliminator Cruiser in India Soon

Kawasaki Eliminator will soon go out of sale in India. Kawasaki has decided to stop this cruiser because it does not meet the new E20 fuel rules. The bike does not support 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol. However, the company does not plan to update the engine to make it compatible.

At present, many dealerships still have the Kawasaki Eliminator in stock. These units will continue to sell. Once the stock finishes, Kawasaki will not bring an updated version of this motorcycle.

Reason Behind the Decision

The main reason behind this move is the E20 compliance rule. Many of Kawasaki’s other bikes already follow this rule. In addition, these models sell better in the Indian market.

Some of the models are Vulcan S, Z650RS, and the Kawasaki Versys 650, which received updates in December last year. These bikes now support E20 fuel and continue to stay in the market.

However, the Eliminator comes as a completely built-up (CBU) unit. Because of this, its price stays high. As a result, the sales numbers remain quite low. Therefore, Kawasaki does not see a strong reason to invest in updating this model.

Could Ninja 500 Be Next?

There is also a chance that the Kawasaki Ninja 500 may face a similar future. This is because it uses the same engine as the Eliminator.

Both Kawasaki bikes run on a 451cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine. This engine produces 44.7 bhp and 42.6 Nm of torque. In addition, the bike comes with a six-speed gearbox. It also gets an assist and slipper clutch, which feels light and easy to use.

However, if Kawasaki does not update this engine for E20 fuel, the Ninja 500 may also go off sale in the future.

Price and Market Position

The Eliminator currently comes at a price of Rs. 6.16 lakh (ex-showroom). On the other hand, the Ninja 500 costs Rs. 5.66 lakh (ex-showroom), which makes it a bit more affordable.

Kawasaki’s decision shows how important E20 compliance has become in India. In addition, it highlights how pricing and sales also affect such decisions. Perhaps buyers who want the Eliminator should act soon before the remaining stock runs out.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out the Limited Period Discount on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R