Were we TOTALLY WRONG with our guess that the Kawasaki Ridge is a Can-Am Maverick R fighter?! You all certainly seem to think so, and the patent drawings clearly show a utility machine. This week, we’re looking at all the evidence for both sides! Let us know in the comments what you think!
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Check out the full feature at https://www.utvdriver.com/utv-news/kawasaki-ridge-updates/
For more stories, reviews, and first-looks check out https://www.utvdriver.com/
Want to see even more shenanigans from the UTV Driver team? Give us a like and follow:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UTVdriver/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utvdriverma...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/utvdriver/
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Were we wrong about the 2024 Kawasaki Ridge?
00:02 Kawasaki continues to roll out teasers for their new machine,
00:06 and last week we told you everything that we know about it.
00:09 Shadowy images of a four-cylinder and a stack of patent drawings
00:13 seem to point to an unlimited class sport machine, but you think we're wrong.
00:17 Let's take a look at all the evidence that points to the Kawasaki Ridge
00:21 being anything other than a Can-Am Maverick R fighter.
00:24 You guys seem to think that this isn't a 300 horsepower supercharged weapon,
00:28 saying it's probably something more like a Polaris Ranger XT 1500,
00:32 or even a Polaris Expedition.
00:34 That's possible.
00:35 Even though Kawasaki is the company that gave us a 300 horsepower motorcycle,
00:39 they're super conservative when it comes to side-by-sides.
00:43 After all, Kawasaki has been building the Mule,
00:45 which isn't much more than a golf cart, for a billion years,
00:48 so it would be a huge stretch to have a Pro-R fighter in their lineup.
00:52 It's also worth keeping in mind that the patent drawings show
00:55 a supercharged four-cylinder in what is clearly a utility machine.
00:59 Now, we happen to think that that's just ruse to throw the internet off Kawasaki's trail,
01:03 but there's a great chance that we're wrong
01:05 and that the patent drawings show the form factor of the machine.
01:08 But maybe the best case that's been made so far for the Ridge being something
01:12 other than a super sport are the teasers that we've seen up to this point.
01:15 Early on, Kawasaki showed us a machine with a great big windshield,
01:19 and a windshield wiper, and a leather interior, and a huge screen.
01:23 [wind howling]
01:31 That doesn't exactly point to a sport machine.
01:33 Take the Polaris Ranger XD 1500 for an example.
01:36 It has a glass windshield, a beefy three-cylinder engine,
01:39 HVAC, and one of the nicest interiors on sale in a side-by-side today.
01:44 And really, a high-end utility machine makes a lot more sense for Kawasaki.
01:48 I mean, these guys know how to build a utility rig.
01:50 What do you all think?
01:51 Let us know in the comments below if you think the Ridge is going to be a utility machine.
01:55 That does leave us with some questions, though.
01:57 The latest teasers clearly show a performance-oriented suspension
02:00 with a stack of ground clearance.
02:02 [wind howling]
02:13 And what about those patent drawings?
02:15 They clearly show a supercharger,
02:16 and a supercharged utility rig doesn't make any sense.
02:19 Here's what we think.
02:20 We're looking at two different machines.
02:22 It's clear from the patent drawings that Kawasaki is working on a supersport Maverick R-Fighter.
02:27 Be that as it may, that machine may not be the rig we see next month
02:31 when Kawasaki pulls the wraps off the Ridge.
02:33 A recute rig similar to the Yamaha R-Max 1000 or the Polaris Expedition
02:38 would make sense with the aggressive suspension teaser we saw last week.
02:41 If that's true, then the Ridge will likely use a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.
02:46 That is certainly what it sounds like from the latest teaser
02:49 which shows the Ridge firing up for the first time.
02:51 [wind howling]
03:05 Kawasaki certainly has plenty of inline fours to choose from,
03:08 including the 1,043cc unit in the Ninja 1000SX.
03:12 That engine turns out a healthy 140 horsepower and 75 foot-pounds of torque.
03:17 We think that with a little tuning, that engine could easily see duty around the farm and on the trail.
03:23 Or, Kawasaki could have cooked up an entirely new engine for the Ridge.
03:26 Either way, we don't have long to wait.
03:28 Kawasaki has said that they're going to pull the wraps off the Ridge on January 23rd at their dealer meeting.
03:34 And we'll be there.
03:35 Thanks for watching, guys.
03:36 We're excited to see what Kawasaki's got in store for us next month.
03:40 But until then, you can catch us seven days a week on all the social media channels
03:44 Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and then five days a week head over to UTVDriver.com.
03:49 We've got news, reviews, buyer's guides.
03:51 We can't wait to see you there.
03:52 [music]
04:00 If that's true, then the Kawasaki Ridge will probably use a naturally aspirated four...
04:05 No.
04:06 Flip the page.
04:07 Flip the first page.
04:09 Ew. Ew.
04:13 Your mom. (laughs)