Were we WRONG about the Kawasaki RIDGE?!

UTV Driver

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!   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/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utvdriver

Transcript

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)

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