Kawasaki Eliminator 900 Ripping It Up! Curvy Roads, Acceleration, Burnout Launches!

[@propdoctor21564]

After all these years I still think this is one of the coolest cycles anyone has ever made and I still have one of the old cycle magazines where they tested it. A friend bought a red one in 1985 and a bunch of years ago bought another red one which he still has... A friend of his had a black one...

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! Everyone I know who owned one previously wants another or has one (or more) in the garage. I'm working on a comparison video with Suzuki's GS1100L currently, so stay tuned...

[@neotree605]

I agree I had a 85 in red awesome bike !

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@neotree605 Right on!

[@ppopovich2847]

One of the coolest, meanest bikes ever made. Yet, what really makes it so splendid is that it's a hoot to ride and very comfortable to just cruise on too.

[@themalaailaanaa1347]

2500cc wnted...same styling ...more muscle and rubber and thickkk forks.

[@russ3080]

This upload is definitely fun to watch. Your making me want to go find a 900. I am going to blame you when my wife finds out! Hehe

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on Russ! Stay tuned for an upcoming comparison with Suzuki's GS1100L.

[@russ3080]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 looking forward to it! You have an tips on fixing a bouncy tachometer? I’m stumped on my ZL 1000

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@russ3080 I wish I did! These are electronic. In an effort to fix mine I swapped it out with one from my parts bike... the problem persists. I could probably take it to a speedometer repair shop to have it serviced, but we're talking hundreds of dollars😐.

[@ak40clip]

True old school muscle bike . Love it !!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@dontworrybehappy8080]

My all time favorite looking motorcycle. I've never ridden one but I'm certain it wouldn't disappoint. It looks like the perfect height for my 5' 8" frame.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! It’s a great motorcycle and a great fit for shorter riders. Cheers!

[@Aprojeep]

Watching this sure makes me miss mine and want to buy one.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I'll post a "for sale" video if I decide to sell this one. It is truly a thrill ride. Stay tuned for more Eliminator videos. It will be going head-to-head with Suzuki's GS1100L in an upcoming episode.

[@Aprojeep]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 OH HELL YEAH.....please let me know.....thank you!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@Aprojeep Right on!

[@timkis64]

definately looks like a fun ride, for sure.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks! The Eliminator 900s are a thrill ride for sure.

[@henryhawk978]

The lites are in the headlamp. Another nice ride. Shaft drive? Enjoyed the video Jon and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks Henry! The Eliminator 900 has shaft-drive.

[@skipintroux4444]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 the shaft in mine seized around 110,000kms which made for a lumpy ride home that day! Not a fun job to replace getting that swing arm off especially with no centre stand!

[@gracephilp8766]

I had the 750 version ,bloody great bike wish I'd kept it.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

That's one we didn't get here in the US. We only got the 900, 600, and 250.

[@panagiotiszygourakis7271]

I also had the 750... what I hated was it's sound.... was a sport bikes sound that I did not like at all for its looks @@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538

[@chrisvantassel8867]

I went nuts and bought three bikes from my past. 1985 ZL900, 1985 V65 Magna and a 1985 Vmax. All low miles but need cosmetic work. Are you completely restoring frame up or are you just cleaning the bikes up.....all of your bikes look amazing!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Great question! I try to buy bikes that are in decent condition cosmetically. On occasion, I will buy bikes that are rougher, but then I end up spending lots of money on paint, etc. Cheers!

[@lowdragsolutions2237]

I have a ZL1000, trying to get it back up and running. Bought it while still in army and now retired and need it back to calm the demons.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! Motorcycle riding has always been therapeutic for me. Best wishes with the ZL1000, and thank you for your service. Cheers!

[@JC-bf1pz]

I had the same bike, same color. My top speed was 145 on I90 from Chicago to Wisconsin!😀

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

That sounds about right. It's ripping on a naked bike!

[@Solar55]

How is the footpeg clearance on these bikes ? Doesn't look to be a problem :) I test rode a Honda VTX once and it was brutal ... scraping on the most minor of corners.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I've never scraped anything on an Eliminator. You can check out my latest Eliminator video to see how it is in the corners. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2iwdXamad6pi5Y

[@rodl9706]

Do these bikes dip in the nose when going around corners like the V45 does?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

No. The Eliminator is much better controlled and can be absolutely hustled in the corners. It's also very stable at speed. Cheers!

[@kramer7173]

Awesome bike, I’ve got the zl1000. Is that exhaust system stock? Pipes and all? Mine is stock and it sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks! Yes, the exhaust is stock. The 900 got one of the best-sounding stock exhaust systems on a 4-cyl bike. I rode a ZL1000 recently, but it wasn't running right, so I can't comment on the sound. Cheers!

[@blipco5]

A guy I knew bolted a 1200 ZRX engine into an Eliminator. He said it was a direct bolt-in, including the shaft drive mechanism! I saw the bike but didn’t pay close enough attention, the bike was pretty tatty looking from a distance. Anyways, I believe it was the 900. Did the ZL1000 come with shaft drive? If so it could have been one of those. It was a long time ago.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

The ZL1000 was shaft drive as well. It would be interesting to try a ZL1200. I am surprised/skeptical to hear that a chain drive motor and transmission bolts directly to a shaft-drive bike. But, I have no experience with that particular project.🤔

[@MeanierThanEver]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Old KZ 1000 have same lower engine cases since 1980. They are all shaft drive cases. So i think they are using this combination in later models too. Some parts are different chain and shaft drive models, clutch case have extra damper for shaft and output shaft is shorter and different end. Shaft drive front bevel ger case need too extra pressured oil channel for tapered bearings.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@Jim Goose Thanks Jim!

[@MeanierThanEver]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 You are well coming. Im big fan of shaft drive Kawasakis. They are bullet proof, over engineering in those days.

[@blipco5]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 I would be skeptical as well but I saw it with my own eyes. It’s true you can mix and match older Kawasaki engine parts. He didn’t do the work himself as he also had the mechanic swap out the five speed transmission to a six speed from a ZZR1200. He didn’t want to mess with the tranny, mainly. He said the drive mechanism for the shaft bolted right on to the ZRX block. His words.

[@DanielNeiheiser-iv1qg]

Best bike I ever had wished I never sold it my looking for another one like the red .mind was black

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I may be interested in selling this red one. If you're seriously interested, you can contact me directly via email at: [e-mail] Cheers!

[@rodl9706]

How tall are you, I mean these are pretty big bikes you look like your over 6'

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

6'-4", so I'm on the tall side.

[@Coldwarrior7781]

Makes me miss mine. Never was into the curves but i never lost a quarter mile. Even against bigger bikes. They had to let off to get the front down. I didn't. Had plenty of V Max time BTW. Never liked it. Always felt like it wanted to murder me.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@themalaailaanaa1347]

Second gen ....try.

[@Coldwarrior7781]

@@themalaailaanaa1347 What, a Max? Pass on anything Yamaha after 3 duds in a row. Besides I'm an old guy on a Goldwing now.