BIKES: 2012 Kawasaki Teryx4

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BIKES: 2012 Kawasaki Teryx4

For 2012 the latest RUV from Kawasaki, the Teryx4, gets 2 mores seats and an all-new design with a long list of improvements and innovative new features…

Mark Mitchell | Posted January 06, 2012 Charlotte, NC

2012 Kawasaki Teryx4

It all started 23 years ago with the venerable Kawasaki Mule, a utilitarian workhorse strictly designed to help get things done quickly and efficiently around the farm or factory. Featuring a pick-up truck type design, the Kawasaki MULE (Multi Use Light Equipment) concept revolutionized the lightweight utility vehicle. The original Mule was powered by a liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine mounted in an open-cab utility chassis with independent front and rear suspension, and rolling on four all-terrain tires with rear differential lock feature, the Mule was an immediate success. Little did they know these were the seeds of a form factor that would eventually redefine the definition of ‘all-terrain vehicle’ and launch an entire new industry.

Fast forward to 2012 and the simple concept of a lightweight multi-use utility vehicle has evolved and morphed to the point where the current batch of UTV’s are now much more recreational than utilitarian, in fact they are very serious trail machines capable of tackling the toughest trails and terrain in style.

First introduced in 2008, the Kawasaki Teryx quickly became known for having a powerful motor, rugged dependability and some serious off-road capabilities. Consumers loved it but after 4 years it was time for the next generation. So for 2012 Kawasaki designers set out to build the next generation Teryx to not only accommodate four passengers but to also represent the state-of-the-art in RUV technology. You can rest assured this isn’t just the original Teryx with the bed removed and a couple of seats bolted in, this is an all-new machine from the ground up…everything from the chassis to the powerful new v-twin engine is all new. Bottom line: the 2012 Teryx4 750 4x4 is the new industry standard and represents the latest in RUV technology with a host of improvements and innovative new features almost too long to list. But that is what we get paid for so here we go.

To build the ultimate RUV the Kawasaki engineers started from square one with the chassis, developing an all-new computer designed wide-track chassis featuring a tube steel frame with a unique double-X frame design. The frame utilizes an innovative design with two X-shaped cross members bridging the box structures from corner to corner to provide added strength and stability. Overall, the Teryx4 chassis dimensions are relatively small for a four seat RUV but this was also done on purpose to help in the areas of turning and climbing where the 85.7-inch wheelbase produces a nice tidy16.7-foot turning radius, very handy in real-world trail conditions. The Teryx4 also features a user friendly 10.8 inches of ground clearance coupled with high approach and departure angles (79 and 65 degrees, respectively) to help tackle and tame even the most gnarly trails with ease. Suspension duties are handled by high-performance single-chamber gas-charged and preload-adjustable shocks up front. In back the Teryx4 is fitted with a set of fully adjustable shocks with piggyback reservoirs. This setup offers both additional oil flow for cooler temperatures and more stable damping performance.

Like the frame, the Teryx4’s 749cc V-twin four-stroke engine is also new, offering 15 percent more power than the original 2-seat Teryx.. The new V-twin design is quite simply a beast with loads of low-end stump-pulling power and a powerful mid-range punch, a perfect combination for serious trail work. In fact, the revised camshaft profiles and equal-length exhaust headers were specifically designed and rigorously tested to produce a smooth controllable power from idle to top end.
Cooling and feeding the new v-twin powerplant are all-new liquid cooling and electronic fuel injection systems– the later featuring new fine-atomizing 12-hole injectors – for easy starting and flawless throttle response. The fuel injection system also offers reliable hands off dependability due to a bevy of sensors constantly monitoring critical performance data like inlet air pressure, throttle position, crankshaft position, rpm and coolant temperature. The end result is virtually carefree performance from the Teryx4 with it’s automatic mixture compensation, automatic idle adjustment and easy, choke-free starting.

The Teryx4 puts power to the ground through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), a category-first centrifugal clutch assembly and a very slick electrically selectable 4WD system. With just the flick of a switch the Teryx4 can go from 2WD to 4WD. The Teryx4 also features 4WD with a Front Differential Lock system to make those long rocky uphills a breeze to maneuver. The transmission is coupled to a category-first centrifugal clutch for an extra degree of tractability and slow-speed control in technical terrain where precise throttle control is key. An oil-bathed clutch design also helps extend CVT belt life by lessening the degree of shock and belt deflection. The electronic 4WD system allows drivers to easily change between the three different drive modes at a moments notice: 2WD (light steering) for maximum sporty performance, 4WD for enhanced traction while keeping steering relatively light, and 4WD+Differential Lock for maximum traction situations.

The braking system on the Teryx4 is also new with high-performance hydraulic discs up front featuring 200mm rotors and dual-piston calipers. Overall the Teryx4 brakes offer exceptional feel and stopping power with durable steel-braided lines helping to keep brake feel consistent and predictable throughout the day with no noticeable fade or decreased performance. In back is Kawasaki’s unique sealed internal wet brake with Internal components completely sealed from mud, water, dust and debris.. The combination of the powerful discs up front and the sealed system in back provides pan abundance of stopping power to haul the Teryx4 down from speed very quickly when needed.
Finishing off the power to ground configuration on the Teryx4 are a set of serious 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires, the largest currently available in the RUV category. These tires are awesome and a perfect fit for this vehicle, providing plenty of drive and traction as well as impressive cornering capability throughout a wide variety of conditions.

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