EL 252

1996 Kawasaki EL 252 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Kawasaki for the custom - cruiser motorcycle segment, the 1996 Kawasaki EL 252 pairs a 252 cc (15.4 cu in) liquid-cooled twin, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 30 HP (21.9 kW) at 12,000 rpm while maximum torque reaches 19.7 Nm (14.5 lb-ft) at 10,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 119 HP per liter and a 2,000 rpm working window between peak torque (10,000 rpm) and peak power (12,000 rpm), the engine character is reflecting a performance-oriented street tune that balances strong mid-range pull with an energetic top-end rush.

On the scales, the EL 252 measures 143 kg (315 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.21 HP/kg (4.77 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 725 mm (28.5 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops, combined with a 1,490 mm (58.7 in) wheelbase engineered for balanced agility and highway composure. The 11-liter (2.9 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 4.5 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 244 km (152 miles) between fill-ups.

Within MotoLibrary's Kawasaki archive, this model family spans 2 indexed model years from 1996 to 2000, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.