A
ARCHIVE_ron
Guest
Why did they stop making them
Why oh why did they stop making the ZL9 & 1000 (& 125)
Why oh why did they stop making the ZL9 & 1000 (& 125)
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ARCHIVE_zoomzoom
Guest
Can you say STUPID?
A
ARCHIVE_MachIV
Guest
I suspect the reason is that they shared many parts with the Ninja 900
`specially the motor,and the sportbikes were going through major
changes every year in the 80s that it wouldn`t make sense to keep
making it when the Ninja was obsolete after a couple years.
`specially the motor,and the sportbikes were going through major
changes every year in the 80s that it wouldn`t make sense to keep
making it when the Ninja was obsolete after a couple years.
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ARCHIVE_Shlim1
Guest
Last I heard from working at a Kawi dealer in the 80's, was that as we all know, our bike is a lead sled!! They had problems with the bike stopping fast enough (at least for how fast it got to top speed!). Although the ZL shares the basic engine of the Ninja/GPz, it sure doesn't handle like one of them in the twisties!! Another thing I heard, which I really don't believe to be true, is that the Eliminator did not take off right away, as far as the concept. 
Kind of weird, for a bike that was made to be sold in the US and Canada, the Eliminator sure did take off like wild fire in Europe! With all the selections available there (as far as cc's), and the amount of years available compared to the US, maybe it was more popular there?
Kind of weird, for a bike that was made to be sold in the US and Canada, the Eliminator sure did take off like wild fire in Europe! With all the selections available there (as far as cc's), and the amount of years available compared to the US, maybe it was more popular there?
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ARCHIVE_Bbond2000
Guest
would you believe
Shlim's explanation mirror's what I have read, or should I say used to read nearly twenty years ago.
For those of us who were around to remember, every magazine in North American reviewed the performance of the new race track derived "Ninja 900". Every cover of every bike magazine, had the Ninja plastered on their covers. There was nothing like it on the road. Yamaha had the RZ 2 stroke series, Honda had the "V" series "Interceptors". Suzuki had the "Katana" which was simply a GS model with a bit of skin to cover the frame.
From what I've read the Ninja sales took off due to it's truely race ready look and performance. In the first two years of it's release it out sold every other bike in it's class combined by over ten times. And kawasaki through every cent it had at developing this machine. It pushed Kawasaki to the front of the Japanese manufactures in terms of inovative thinking and sals.
Simply, it was just bad timing for the Eliminator. I think those of us who have the pleasesure to own one know that if this bike was built today, with a bit a a teak in it's technology would certainly be a monster seller, just like the "Ninja" was.
Just ask the folks at Yamaha. That "V Max" just won't go away.
Shlim's explanation mirror's what I have read, or should I say used to read nearly twenty years ago.
For those of us who were around to remember, every magazine in North American reviewed the performance of the new race track derived "Ninja 900". Every cover of every bike magazine, had the Ninja plastered on their covers. There was nothing like it on the road. Yamaha had the RZ 2 stroke series, Honda had the "V" series "Interceptors". Suzuki had the "Katana" which was simply a GS model with a bit of skin to cover the frame.
From what I've read the Ninja sales took off due to it's truely race ready look and performance. In the first two years of it's release it out sold every other bike in it's class combined by over ten times. And kawasaki through every cent it had at developing this machine. It pushed Kawasaki to the front of the Japanese manufactures in terms of inovative thinking and sals.
Simply, it was just bad timing for the Eliminator. I think those of us who have the pleasesure to own one know that if this bike was built today, with a bit a a teak in it's technology would certainly be a monster seller, just like the "Ninja" was.
Just ask the folks at Yamaha. That "V Max" just won't go away.
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ARCHIVE_zoomzoom
Guest
Hey guys, I actually e-mailed Kawasaki a week or so ago and suggested that they revive the Eliminator line. 
Said that with today's technology and an engine out of say a ZX-12, they would have an absolute winner. I can guarantee you one thing, if they do I'll stand in line to get my chance at one 
Said that with today's technology and an engine out of say a ZX-12, they would have an absolute winner. I can guarantee you one thing, if they do I'll stand in line to get my chance at one Kawasaki-krazy
Senior Member
..........next time you go out for a run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWaq0zOaAVU&search=japanese motorcycle
KK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWaq0zOaAVU&search=japanese motorcycle
KK
zlMark
Cult Leader
yea sure, who's gonna help me pick my bike up 
Southernstyle
Senior Member
I'll help you if you help me! 
Later,
SS
Later,
SS
zl900_moab
Senior Member
Forget about picking up the bike, who's gonna help me with the mess in my shorts.....Those guys have alot of talent.
moab...
moab...
Southernstyle
Senior Member
Depends.
Later,
SS
Later,
SS
zl900_moab
Senior Member
Tee-Friggin'-Hee....
moab...
moab...
SnakeDoctor
Senior Member
and they practice ALL the time. The Thai ladies say I dance so well and I know they don't lie, hell, I am a handsome man.
Kawasaki-krazy
Senior Member
SnakeDoctor said:
Keep saying it
They WILL believe you eventually...........honest
KK
monkeyhanger
Senior Member
WIMP HAS TO PUT HIS FEET DOWN
SnakeDoctor
Senior Member
Kawasaki-krazy said:SnakeDoctor said:
Keep saying it
They WILL believe you eventually...........honest
KK
They have been telling me that I'm a handsome man for the past 5 years, so they must be telling me the truth. Heck they even tell me: "You not old, you just right". I think they mean "ripe for pickin" though. 55555555555