Eliminator. It’s not just the title of arguably ZZ Top’s best album — and certainly the band’s most commercially successful one, on the strength of “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.”
Nope, it’s also the nameplate of a classic Kawasaki cruiser. Making its first appearance in 1985 (a couple years after the record’s release), the beguiling bike has taken a number of different forms since.
By hook or by crook, the current iteration is remarkably in step with the times — super-inclusive thanks to approachable specs including its 398cc engine, 28.9-inch seat height and 388-pound curb weight, plus a six-speed gearbox and beginner-friendly slipper clutch.
As compelling as it is, the Eliminator just got more interesting with the introduction of a third variant, which slots in between the base model and SE with fresh paint and somewhat unprecedented tech.
Meet the (admittedly geographically restricted) 2026 Kawasaki Eliminator Plaza Edition.
Retro resonance
While the larger Vulcan is perhaps the first Kawasaki cruiser most people think of, the growing demand for more affordable, smaller-displacement bikes puts the Eliminator in a great position going forward.
Perhaps that’s part of the thinking behind this new treatment, which is sadly limited to the brand’s home country of Japan at the moment.
