1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator - Ride Review - Rolling Burnouts!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- In this episode, I take a look at and ride Kawasaki's awesome 1985 Eliminator ZL900. The first "factory custom" drag bike, the ZL900 Eliminator used a re-tuned Ninja 900 motor in a long, low, drag race inspired chassis. The result is shockingly fun to ride with one of the best stock exhaust notes in all of motorcycling! With 1/4 mile times in the high 10 second range, the Eliminator 900 backed up its drag racer looks with serious performance! This one is a new addition to my garage.
Many thanks to stunt rider (burnouts) Bret!
I had one too. It was black. Very fun, comfortable bike. It would boil the rear tire for a city block lol! Wish I had it now parked next to my 06 Vmax.
That would be nice!
To this day I love this bike. My first brand new bike in 1986. They looked cool, they rode cool, quick as hell, and at the time nobody else in the area had one. 1988 rang in tax return time. Being recently married, I owed more than what we had paid all year. So, there went that bike, in came my first house.
Yeah, I've been there. The toys are always the first to go. 🙁 The nice thing is, as things change, you can usually buy new toys.
Another really cool bike from my Younger years.
Thanks, I have always liked the Eliminators.
That statement about owning one! Is so true! Is oldny ZL 1000 in 91. I just picked up another one. So happy to have finally found one!
Congratulations!
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 thank you. The next 4 days are gonna move slow. Out of town till then.
@@russ3080 Right on!
Another great review Jon! Back to memory lane a lot of people never really knew much about the Eliminator the first one we picked up at our shop didn't pay to much attention to it until I took it to the strip at 5400 feet above altitude Alb NM it impressed us 11.12 right out of the gate! Thanks again for the Great Review Keep the sunny side up!!
Thanks, Paul! I think the Eliminator is still relatively unknown to those who haven't ridden one. But every time I take it out, I'm shocked it's only a 900cc bike. Cheers!
Purchased one in 85 owned it for 6 years until the wife needed a car so I had to get rid of it, it loved burning tires off of it, loved second gear wheelies, top speed was 135, soon as I get a couple projects done one of these are next in line . Dale Walker had a drag racing school with these and he sold great aftermarket parts 😎
Good to know, thanks Gary!
The first time I gave it a good right hand twist I would say, well, I don't think I had enough respect, or maybe it was brains. I was young. Lucky I was holding on tight because I damn near went off the bike. That was such a fun, and quick bike for me at that time
@@rickarra1833 Right on! They're still impressive after all these years. Be sure to check out the Eliminator playlist on my channel - lots of fun Eliminator videos.
Remember back around this era , maybe 86/87 , going down to the local DQ for some video games and burgers on my csr650 & seeing an eliminator in the parking lot and being wow struck at the looks of it … just looked mean , I was a teen with lil income so I never considered owning one but boy did I want one
I've always loved the look of the Eliminators.
These are cool. Rode one, and was so surprised. What a funky look too
Right on! I've always liked the looks and they're a unique, exciting, riding experience.
Nice 👍
I came across this video when trying to find out what I could about the new model eliminator coming out.
Thanks Gary!
Awesome bike! I wish I would've kept mine. Very good review.
Thanks! I rode it yesterday - still a thrill ride!
Best looking bike of all time.
Loved my '86.....
Right on!
They are really good bikes. I also have eliminator but 250cc inline twin version so it's cheap to ride
Those are really cool bikes as well! My friend had one in high school.
Love the launches
Right on! The burnout launches were done by my brother-in-law on his Eliminator. Very entertaining to watch!
Eliminator was really the only ”drag-style” bike. The other power cruisers were much taller and had a higher center of gravity. Having ridden the 1000 the 900 and the 600, the 1000 could smoke anything in roll-ons, the 900 was much faster than most would expect (1/4 very close to 1000) and the 600 was probably the best light all rounder at the
time. Cool bikes.
Right on, Rob! I agree with those statements. I've ridden the 1000 and 600 as well. I can't comment on the power of the 1000 since the one I rode wasn't running right. The 600 I owned was jetted very lean from factory and cold-blooded. It ran great when warm and handled well but lacked the addictive power of the 900 and 1000. I would love to ride a good-running 1000. It's probably a better all-around bike than the 900 with its better range. I still like the 900 styling the best. Cheers!
Well ironically the 900 felt faster and was better in the curves, the 1000 felt very locomotive and was "cushy”. But due to carb tuning, was the fastest 45-70 roll on at the time. The "best" imo was the 900, except for the crazy fuel capacity. Really all three were kawi's exercise in mid range retuning of sportbikes. Imagine if they took the supercharged h2sx and threw it in a long low eliminator style....heh....itd be fun and id die with a smile on my face about ten minutes in...
@@robcampbell3235 Interesting. I have just started putting 40mph-80mph roll-on timing in my videos. I will have that for the Eliminator 900 in the next comparison video I do. I've heard rumors of just that - an H2 powered Eliminator. We'll see.
Never lost a traffic light sprint with the zl 1000 from 1995 till 2005. Still don't know why i sold it.
I have two ZL1000's ... I love my Eliminators! We only got the ZL1000's out here in Australia. No ZL900's were available in our market.
I rode a beautiful ZL1000 recently that I was looking to purchase. Unfortunately, it wasn't running well so I didn't get the full experience. I would love to ride a good-running example. 🙂
I had the exact year and color ! Fantastic
Bike !
Very cool, they are neat machines!
This was my very first motorcycle when I got my license. I absolutely loved it and miss it. HARD to find and when I do find one for sale....I am a day late or a dollar short.
Selling it was a regret and even more when I found out the new owner wrecked it beyond recognition.
Hi Apro, that was an awesome first bike! I've always thought the Eliminators were super cool! Fast and smooth.
Every time, right. I've been looking for a nice original one for years
Your first bike was a beast man. I had an 85 too. You aren't gonna find many left out there. I heard many went to European collectors.
i often wondered if kawasaki used a longer than usual rear swing arm to reduce jacking from the shaft drive & to put more weight on the front axle, to reduce front end lift under hard accelerations.i tried to find weight distribution percentages, but had no luck.nice bikes for stoplight warriors back in the day.or even today to a certain extent.
Right on!
Had an eliminator, there was definitely something kawi did to reduce jacking. Cant remember what it was but maybe the swingarm length combined with suspension....
I got ahold of a vx800 for $600 it needed 1000 to get it up and ripping abs honestly the little bike surprises me man
Right on!
Invigorating. I like it.
Right on!
Makes me Feel like a part of the El Club on my penny weeny 250 but hey 1st bike... Great vid
Right on, thanks Tom! My friend had a 250 Eliminator in high-school and I thought it was really cool. I haven't seen one in years but would love to try one out.
nice bike good vid jon
Thanks David!
Nice ride 👍
Thanks, Marc!
Very cool!
Thanks! Kawasaki did a good job on the Eliminators!
I have two of them and they are a cool bike
Right on!
Another 8V 4cyl with great sound. Seems to be the way to go for that. And then they used the Eliminator name on the 125 cruiser I took my MSF course on ... marketing teams, what can ya do?
This one's a 16-valve motor but it does sound good. I wish Kawasaki would have kept producing the bigger Eliminators. The 125s, while not bad bikes, aren't really deserving of the aggressive name and heritage behind it.🙂
Funny, I bought a 125 eliminator to teach my kids to ride
I have a 900 zl 1985 burnt orange custom dn d header its most rare sounding pipe solo seat or dual it's a beast good luck keeping back tire tires on Dat beast n don't forget cb 1100 f red n white blue n white they were real deal rider can make it handle trust me
I had a CB1100F years ago (blue and white). Probably should have kept it!
Restoring a 85 ..how I found Jon's videos. Been out for a few rides now, it is thirsty because of the throttle wanting to go full twist!
You're not kidding! I have a spare KZ1000 tank and I'm curious if it will fit. It could be such a fun everyday bike but that limited range is ridiculous!
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 I've done a little digging, apparently a shadow 1100 tank (forget the years) fit well with a bracket swap/ fab and slight trim at front of seat. The ones ive seen look like it came from the factory with it. they are alot newer and more plentiful to start with, wich makes them "affordable"
@@brentfellers9632 Nice - if I keep the Eliminator long-term I will look into that pretty seriously!
Funny how they break that way. Worn out parts I guess. LOL. What a great bike to twist the throttle on
1985 yamaha XJ700X. It was inline 4 ,Was fast, my first bike. 115mph in quarter.
The XJ700X is in this class as well. I would love to drive a good-running example!
I had one right before I got the Eliminator. My best friend would ride it with me since his couldnt even try to keep up. I so wish I could find both today
@@brandonrudicell4064 Right on!
My brother had one of these when I was 15. He turned me loose with it with no license. God that thing was fast. It’s a wonder I’m still alive lol
That's for sure! Was he trying to get rid of you?
Oh no. I had dirt bikes and a 4 wheeler. He was 18 years older than me and my father had passed before I was born.
He was like a father figure.
I grew up fast because of him that’s for sure and miss him a lot no he’s gone. Thanks for the video Jon. You brought back a lot of good memories
It’s funny though. Most guys can’t say they learned how to ride a 900 eliminator at 15 for their first street bike. Lol
@@mikekent6635 Right on Mike - it sounds like you had a good older brother!
@@mikekent6635 Right on!
I recently contacted Kawasaki about any chance of a modern/retro version 900-1000 cc, they're coming out with a 450 cc twin. Hopefully will lead to a full size inline four screamer !!!
1000cc and a supercharger would be great! Eliminator H2
Gorgeous scenery. What area of country?
I agree Thomas! It was filmed in Pennsylvania.
Hey Jon is 50,000 miles alot on this? My husband's 900 back in the day had 20,000 no problems.
If it has been properly maintained and not abused, then the mileage isn't as much of an issue. However, that is considered high mileage for a performance motorcycle and will negatively impact resale value. Cheers!
Looks like Beacon Falls
I have a black 85 been parked since 1997 when my first daughter came along. Thinking of having it restored but just bought another harley? Are parts a d all easy to come by? Only has a few thousand miles on it!
Some parts are easy to find, and some aren't. It just depends on what needs done.
All the signal lights are just hanging , mostly cosmetic I think?
I hate I let it sit in my bldg like that but 2 kids and 18 yrs of child support you learn to do without! But it wasn't going no where!
@@isky-nn9dv All fluids should be changed, carbs cleaned, etc.
Seals on shocks as well
Where was the rolling burnout? I sneezed. Did I miss it?
LOL! Aggressive spinning launch may have been a better description 😉 Cheers!
I’ve got a 1987 250 eliminator with nothing wrong with it
Very cool! My friend had one in high-school.
is this bike to small for someone who is 280 pounds?
It depends on your height. I'm tall at 6'-4", and it feels a little short on leg room. Regardless, with the very short range of the Eliminator, you'll never be on it for too long. Cheers!
is the engine system the same as the zzr
Yes, however it is retuned for more mid-range power. Cheers!
We have some similarities in bikes, current an 05 zrx1200r, a 95 cb1000 bike one and a KTM 1290. Had a zl1000 I never should have sold! Link to the ZL here ua-cam.com/video/Dc5ccy-ijIs/v-deo.html
Right on Brant! I would like to ride the 1290 - what a beast!
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538...You can do a comparison video of the KTM SDGT if you like, it's crazy to ride. Don't know how to PM though. Think we might be in the same general region. It makes fast bikes feel slow, the power just explodes out of the 1290. Great videos and channel.
@Brant Smith Thanks Brant! You can contact me directly at: jonsmotorcycle@hotmail.com. I try to check my emails on a weekly basis.
Yes, had to stop frequently for gas, but unlike the Ninja I own today (2022), you didn't have to stop becaus your neck, shoulders , and butt hurt...
Very true!
The Eliminator 900 was my least favourite bike of the 30+ that I have owned over the years. Fast in a straight line but corners were not fun. And filling up at 50-60 miles was ridiculous (my commute was 80 miles). Had it for just 6 weeks.
It certainly takes getting used to in the corners, and the fuel range kept it from being a "real" bike. With a shorter wheelbase and more range, it would rank as an all-time favorite.
It wasn't a corner carver, it was a muscle bike. Just look at it. It's designed to be a drag race style bike for riding around town, with enough power to smoke most anything at the time
@@rickarra1833 and so of no use to me at the time, as my commute included 40 miles of twisty, country roads.
@@rickarra1833 This video has some Eliminator corner carving in it: ua-cam.com/video/K0ZIHGXpIuM/v-deo.html
I heartily disagree. I've had lots of bikes too & my ZL900 & my GenII FZ1 are the best of the bunch. That's why I still have them both. Sure, it's not sportbike level handling but it's long, stable. comfortable and plenty capable when compared to other cruisers, plus it's not 800 lbs, so you can muscle it thru slower turns. If you live in a bigger city with plenty of gas stations, it's a fantastic, bad-ass bike!!
I didn't like it when it first came out. But it has grown on me. Well, everything except that ugly black engine. It just ruins the otherwise unique and cool looks. Why couldn't they have painted it silver? I own a 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. I bought it used. Before that I bought and wore out two brand new Vulcan 750s. A 1993, and a 2002. The 1985 model was a 700, because of the Harley tariff. The 1986 model was a HUGE improvement. Not just because of the extra 50cc, which were probably not even noticeable. The 1985 model had a black painted engine and mostly black wheels. It was ugly. The 1986 model, and every one from then on, all the way through 2006, had a silver engine and silver wheels. The difference was amazing. It was a 1000% improvement. I just don't get the blacked out thing. I am a huge fan, and former owner of a Yamaha XS1100 Special. The original. To me it was a gorgeous bike. Then they came out with the "Midnight Special", with blacked out everything, and in one fell swoop completely ruined a gorgeous motorcycle.
Styling is certainly subjective. I love the blacked-out engines on most bikes. No right answer, just personal preference. Cheers!