Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom vs Kawasaki Eliminator 500
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom vs Kawasaki Eliminator 500. Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom: 53 hp @ 6,000 rpm (approximate; later fuel-injected models post-2007) hp, 256 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated; note: varies by year and rider conditions), Motoryk rating 7.2/10. 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 Xl 1200 Custom
Kawasaki Eliminator 500
Horsepower (hp)
53 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
92 Nm
44 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
256 kg
195 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
53 hp @ 6,000 rpm (approximate; later fuel-injected models post-2007)
60 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Torque
92 Nm @ 3,750 rpm
44 Nm @ 8,500 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated; note: varies by year and rider conditions)
175 km/h
Weight
256 kg (wet/curb weight)
195 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5–6.5 L/100km (approx. 15–18 km/L real-world average)
5.5 L/100km or approximately 18 km/L (typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom
7.2/10
"A rewarding used buy if you inspect thoroughly and ride locally."
Pros
+Bulletproof engine when maintained
+Narrow, easy city riding
+Massive aftermarket parts availability
Cons
−Harsh two-up ride quality
−Vibration above 70mph tiring
−Tiny fuel tank range
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.
