Kawasaki Drifter 1500 vs Kawasaki Eliminator 500
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Kawasaki Drifter 1500 vs Kawasaki Eliminator 500. Kawasaki Drifter 1500: 67 hp @ 4,800 rpm hp, 329 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated), 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
Kawasaki Drifter 1500
Kawasaki Eliminator 500
Horsepower (hp)
67 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
119 Nm
44 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
329 kg
195 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
67 hp @ 4,800 rpm
60 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Torque
119 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
44 Nm @ 8,500 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated)
175 km/h
Weight
329 kg (wet/curb weight)
195 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
6.5 L/100km (approx. 15.4 km/L, typical real-world average)
5.5 L/100km or approximately 18 km/L (typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Kawasaki Drifter 1500
7.5/10
"A gorgeous cruiser worth buying only in excellent condition."
Pros
+Stunning retro Indian-inspired styling
+Punchy torquey V-twin
+Comfortable long-haul ergonomics
Cons
−Parts nearly unobtainium now
−Chrome deteriorates badly neglected
−Carbs temperamental after storage
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.
