Harley-davidson Night Rod Special vs Kawasaki Eliminator 500
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special vs Kawasaki Eliminator 500. Harley-davidson Night Rod Special: 122 hp @ 8,250 rpm hp, 294 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 210 km/h (estimated; Harley does not officially publish top speed), Motoryk rating 7.5/10. Kawasaki Eliminator 500: 60 hp @ 10,000 rpm hp, 195 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special
Kawasaki Eliminator 500
Horsepower (hp)
122 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
116 Nm
44 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
210 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
294 kg
195 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
122 hp @ 8,250 rpm
60 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Torque
116 Nm @ 7,000 rpm
44 Nm @ 8,500 rpm
Top Speed
210 km/h (estimated; Harley does not officially publish top speed)
175 km/h
Weight
294 kg (wet/curb weight)
195 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
7.5 L/100km (approx. 13.3 km/L, typical real-world average)
5.5 L/100km or approximately 18 km/L (typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special
7.5/10
"The Harley that actually rides like it looks — buy smart."
Pros
+Genuinely fast V-twin
+Handles surprisingly well
+Striking aggressive styling
Cons
−Serious heat from engine
−Aggressive ergonomics punish long rides
−Parts sourcing more difficult
Kawasaki Eliminator 500
7.5/10
"Smart, practical cruiser that punches above its modest price point."
Pros
+Bulletproof Kawasaki parallel twin
+Surprisingly nimble for cruiser
+Excellent real-world fuel economy
Cons
−Highway vibration above 75mph
−Budget non-adjustable suspension
−Cruiser aesthetics feel slightly costume
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
