With 749cc of pure muscle harnessed under the hood (or center console in this case), the Teryx now has the largest displacement in its class.
The Musculoskeletal System
Understanding that this machine is likely to be driven to the limit, the Kawasaki design team spent countless hours creating a "long travel" suspension system to meet the demanding needs of the Teryx. Incorporating maximum travel while maintaining a maximum width of 58.7 inches was the engineers' ultimate objective. (58.7 inches fits comfortably into the bed of a full-size pickup.) To achieve this goal, the front and rear end of this machine adopted a narrow frame with longer A-arms maximizing wheel travel. Adjustable dual A-arms paired with gas-charged shocks suspend the front end and provide a whopping 7.5 inches of travel. The independent rear suspension also offers 7.5 inches of travel and utilizes adjustable gas-charged reservoir shocks. You can probably tell by the photos how this combination performed, but you'll have to continue on to hear it in our own words.
Complementing the engine and chassis is a durable drivetrain package. The driveline features beefy CV joints and heavy-duty axles that are specifically designed to handle all of the power and strain unleashed by the 750cc V-twin. Kawasaki knows that RUV owners drive from mild to wild, depending on the particular intended purpose or even what side of the bed the owner awoke. To enhance durability, the CV boots are constructed from a strong plastic material rather than softer rubber compounds, which is commonly found on most OEM and aftermarket CV joints. The plastic material is more resistant to debris damage and should endure the subjected abuse better than the rubber counterparts.
Bringing this ferocious beast to a complete stop is virtually effortless with the braking system. Up front, dual 200mm disc brakes and twin-piston calipers slow the pace of the mighty Teryx. In the rear, you'll find a sealed rear brake system that was first introduced by Kawasaki and has since become recognized as a virtually maintenance-free means of braking. This is a result of having a system that's completely enclosed and bathed in oil, leaving the brakes unaffected by any kind of foreign debris. Working together, this combination of binders brings the Teryx from its 48 mph top speed to a screeching halt in the blink of an eye.
The Exoskeleton
By popular demand the bodywork of the Teryx has been molded from thermoplastic olefin, giving a sleek shine that's extremely scratch-resistant. As far as creature comforts go, the Teryx comes with bucket seats and incorporates a three-point restraint system. The tubular cab frame (roll cage) meets federal rollover protection standards, which means you can have more confidence and an added sense of security in the occurrence of an accidental rollover. In fact, this is the only side-by-side other than the Mule that meets federal rollover protection standards. Deep footwells are designed into the floorboard area in an effort to keep all of your limbs safely inside the vehicle. On the matching body-colored dash you'll find the four-wheel-drive selection switch alongside a small cluster of lights for your low fuel, temperature and parking brake indicators. Nothing overly fancy, but functional nonetheless. Making the digital dash (LE model only) a standard feature on all models would take the guesswork out of judging speed and add a trick look. In the cargo area, the bed's all-steel construction is definitely sturdy and also comes with a cargo net to keep any of your gear securely in place. The base model of this machine doesn't feature a gas-assisted bed, so it will require manpower to load and unload your cargo.