The 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator from Japan was powered by a 902cc DOHC inline-4 producing 105hp at 9500rpm. Weighing 241.0kg (531 lbs) and with a seat height of 740mm, it was aimed at cruiser riders.
The 1993 Ducati 888, hailing from Italy, by contrast offered 888cc of DOHC L-twin Desmo power, delivering 109hp at 9500rpm. Tipping the scales at 185.0kg (408 lbs) with a top speed of 255km/h (158 mph), it offered a distinct riding experience. 1980s motorcycles are the rising stars of the collector market. Early sportbikes and final-generation air-cooled models are gaining strong interest.
Specifications Comparison
| 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator | 1993 Ducati 888 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 902 cc | 888 cc |
| Power | 105 hp | 109 hp |
| Torque | 80.0 Nm | 86.0 Nm |
| Cylinders | 4 | 2 |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 255 km/h |
| Quarter Mile | — | — |
| Dry Weight | 241.0 kg | 185.0 kg |
| Wet Weight | 260.0 kg | 200.0 kg |
| Seat Height | 740 mm | 790 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1550 mm | 1430 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 17.0 L | 16.0 L |
| Gears | 6 -speed | 6 -speed |
The Verdict
These two machines serve fundamentally different purposes. The 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator is built for relaxed highway cruising and long-distance comfort, while the 1993 Ducati 888 targets aggressive cornering and track-day performance. On paper, the 1993 Ducati 888's 109hp trumps the 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator's 105hp, but raw numbers don't tell the whole story in such different segments. Choose the 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator if you value relaxed highway cruising and long-distance comfort; pick the 1993 Ducati 888 for aggressive cornering and track-day performance.
About the 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator
The 1985 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator packs a 902cc DOHC inline-4 engine with 105hp into a cruiser package from Kawasaki.
Full 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator Profile →About the 1993 Ducati 888
The 1993 1993 Ducati 888 packs a 888cc DOHC L-twin Desmo engine with 109hp into a sport bike package from Ducati.
Full 1993 Ducati 888 Profile →