Just a few weeks after its debut, Kawasaki is gearing up to debut the new Eliminator in the American market. The Japanese giant has registered the cruiser motorcycle with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a 2024 model, hinting at a later-in-the-year launch. However, a closer look at the filings reveals a big twist, with respect to the motorcycle’s engine.

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The US-Spec Kawasaki Eliminator Will Feature A New Engine

White 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator tank close-up detail
Kawasaki
Pearl Robotic White 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator tank close-up detail

As reported by Motorcycle.com, the Kawasaki filings mention the model codes EL450A, EL450B, EL450C, and EL450D. A quick look at the Japanese model codes for the Eliminator 400 suggests the ‘EL’ stands for Eliminator while the numbers and last letters denote the engine displacement and variants, respectively. Considering this, it means the US-spec Eliminator will feature a new 450cc engine and four variants (probably STD non-ABS, STD ABS, SE non-ABS, and SE ABS).

Lasering on the engine, this mill will probably be a derivative of the 399cc, parallel-twin engine of the Japanese Eliminator, which, in turn, is based on the Ninja 400. If so, it should not only promise more juice than the 49 horsepower and 28 pound-feet on the 400 but also give the cruiser an even better fighting chance against the 471cc Honda Rebel 500. For reference, the Rebel currently has a two-pound-feet advantage over the Kawasaki cruiser.

2023 Kawasaki Eliminator Rear
Kawasaki
We expect the Eliminator to reach international markets as a MY2024 motorcycle

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Engine aside, we don’t think Kawasaki will redesign the entire motorcycle (‘cause R&D costs). So expect the Eliminator ‘450’ to feature the same neo-retro design, complete with likable features such as LED lights, a digital instrument cluster, and a USB port. Similarly, telescopic forks and dual shock absorbers plonked onto the trellis chassis should remain as it is too.

When Will The Kawasaki Eliminator 450 Debut?

White 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator on the kickstand
Kawasaki
Pearl Robotic White 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator on the kickstand at the roadside

The CARB certification means Kawasaki has already readied the new motorcycle, so we expect it to break cover by the end of 2023. An EICMA debut seems probable, followed by the cruiser’s dealership dispatch in early 2024. However, we don’t know whether the 450 will be exclusive to the American market or an international product for Europe and Britain too.

It also raises the question of where else will Kawasaki use this engine. The Ninja 400 and Z400 have turned half a decade old in 2023, with no major updates to either their engine, design, or underpinnings. Add to this the increased competition and a bigger engine makes perfect sense for this duo. Oh, and before you say the same thing for the Versys-X 300, you should know Kawasaki has already certified it for MY2024, with the same sub-300cc mill. So no updates there.