Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

hi chaps & Chappettes,

Its been a while since I posted here, but ever since the GPX was carried away by the wreckers hearse, I have been contemplating a new (to me) ride.

I have taken a few bikes for a test recently, mainly cbr's, gixxer's and zzr's, all 250's, as being an older returning rider, I'm not after a scud missile on 2 wheels.

After testing a variety of the above, I have come to the conclusion that I could not ride one of these bikes for too long, due to old sports injury's (stuffed knees).

I also tried an er-5, but I felt I was going to topple over each time I stopped.

I have my eye on an EL250, sufficient power, low seat (only a short arse) and a comfortable riding position.

I know its not a sports bike/sport tourer, but it is a kwakka.

Any thoughts, ideas, criticisims etc. of the late 90's models.

Anything I should look out for.

All responses will be appreciated.

Cam

Yes I think a GPX

You're biased though

Even the gpx hurts my knees after about 20 minutes riding.

I favour the EL cause it is the GPX, stripped back (and more comfortable for me)

Cam229 wrote:You're biased though

Even the gpx hurts my knees after about 20 minutes riding.

I favour the EL cause it is the GPX, stripped back (and more comfortable for me)

Me Never

Mate, they are a Kawasaki and a nice looking bike, but they are a bit expensive for what you get, which is basically a v-twin L plater cruiser. I looked at one before I bought my GPX250R, the EL was $2k more (at the time).

Having said that, if your body says "fark the GPX/ZZR/CBR and GSX/R"... then go the Eliminator...as I said, at least it's a kawasaki .

...if you're looking at spending the dough on a cruiser on an Eliminator have you considered a small 800/900cc Vulcan? They are a bit heavier (ok, 50-60 odd kg), but you get 3-4 times the amount of torque. I think Honda also make a small cruiser, the VT750, but I won't mention that here .

Thanks Mick (and Lainie),

I am favouring the El over the newer eliminator and the other cruiser style bikes, mainly cause I dislike the V-Twin look of the wannabe harley bikes.

The other one I'm interested in is the suzi gz maraurder, which is a bit bigger in size and weight to the EL.

Cam

Mick theres the EL250 and the eliminator250, the el250 uses the gpx250 motor and they stopped making it in that design in about 2001 or so. The eliminator250 then took over with the v twin motor. Apparently the bike lost a bit of grunt when they went to the v twin design. something to do with it being lower revving perhaps?

I had an EL250 for about 6 months, the bike has a few pro's and con's as follows.

pro's:
easy to ride, bit of a sit up and beg position, not a bad thing, but some people like it, others hate it.
gentle on fuel, reliable, etc basically gpx250 traits,
It's reasonably quick at turning in, the forks are at almost the same angle as a sportsbike i've found.
adjustable preload on the rear forks
not much plastic to break if you bin it.
comfy as hell seat, the bike was a bit worn from the trip, but my arse and body felt fine.

con's:
range, not as long as a gpx250, not by a long shot, the tank is 11 litres, i got 195km out of it once when i ran out of fuel on the way home from philip island
the pillion seat is really got show, not for go.
short gearing, the bike is designed for city riding so i got it topping out at about 135km/h in 6th, it wasnt that asthmatic, but running out of puff (i looked into it, and they have a different cam and gearbox in the el to the gpx), after i did a run to/from phillip island (2400km round trip) my bike ate nearly a litre of oil and being at 40kkm was due for more than a camchain (top end rebuild).
the rear tyre, its not so much a bad or a good thing, its a 15 inch bit of rubber on a rather fat square profile, great for commuting and touring, but not ideal for twisty bits.
did i mention the shithouse fuel range?

in short if you intend to arse about in the city and take it to the twisties close to town, then go for it, if you even want to consider touring, dont even consider it

Mick-s,

Thanks for the info.

I would only be looking for something to putt around town, with the odd little foray to the Island and up into the hills.

Cam

Cam229 wrote:Mick-s,

Thanks for the info.

I would only be looking for something to putt around town, with the odd little foray to the Island and up into the hills.

Cam

From Mike-s' review of them they sound ok, the "feel" and the handling would be the issue for me getting a cruser, cause I have a mate with a honda shadow and I can't even sit on it without feeling like I'm gonna crash! I'd never ride it - But the bars on the little kwaka one look fine, not too apeish. As long as you can ride it safely with the low power is all? I think power, used wisely, is a real lifesaver out there, especially in traffic. Nice to have it when your pulling up through the mountains too. Is there any other bikes around with the same "feel" but a bit more stick? 400's or 500's say?

Cam229 wrote:hi chaps & Chappettes,

Its been a while since I posted here, but ever since the GPX was carried away by the wreckers hearse, I have been contemplating a new (to me) ride.

I have taken a few bikes for a test recently, mainly cbr's, gixxer's and zzr's, all 250's, as being an older returning rider, I'm not after a scud missile on 2 wheels.

After testing a variety of the above, I have come to the conclusion that I could not ride one of these bikes for too long, due to old sports injury's (stuffed knees).

I also tried an er-5, but I felt I was going to topple over each time I stopped.

I have my eye on an EL250, sufficient power, low seat (only a short arse) and a comfortable riding position.

I know its not a sports bike/sport tourer, but it is a kwakka.

Any thoughts, ideas, criticisims etc. of the late 90's models.

Anything I should look out for.

All responses will be appreciated.

Cam

Are you speaking of a new one or the old in-line twin EL250???

I don't know a lot about the new V-twin job. But the older model is a gem. A low seat height is one of the reasons it sold so well. It shares the same basic engine as the GPX/ZZR250's so is both powerful and reliable. If second hand is what your buying make sure it has some sort of service history with it and check for common worn items like a rattly cam chain, or overly knocky bottom end (these motors do sound a little agricultural and noisy in the bottom end as standard so listen to a fe to get the idea).
Clean oil is the key to longer engine life in these bikes.

They crash well, with most crash repairs being for simple little things like bent handlebars or broken levers, which are common parts with other Kwaka models so availability is great and cost is relatively affordable.

Good luck with whatever you get!!!!

oh yeah, the one i had had renthal bars already installed on it when i got it, so it was DAMN comfy to scoot about on.

Definately a good about town bike, sure i got shit for it, but t'was a good bike none the less.

chameleon wrote:I have a mate with a honda shadow and I can't even sit on it without feeling like I'm gonna crash!

Took one of thse for a spin at HART open day 2 year ago, gutless pos and yeah felt really really wierd after a zzr, not to my liking at all, couldn't get the boot under the gear lever even...