2014 Kawasaki Teryx 800 Ride Review
- Updated: February 5, 2014
Style, Convenience and Fit & Finish
While the old Teryx looked more like a work tractor, the new version with its sleek body work and modern-day lines looks more sports-car.. Don’t get me wrong this vehicle can and will be used for work and hunting just as much, if not more than it will for sport riding, but it will just look better doing it.
Speaking of work, the 28”x43” hydraulic-assisted tilting bed is 10.4” deep and allows 600 pounds of payload capacity with a flat bottom that is big enough for a large cooler, several spare fuel cans or other large objects. The bed also features the capability to add Kawasaki’s optional new tool snap-mount system that allows for snap-mounting of Kawasaki accessories and/or tools to the bed rails. Four tie-down loops help secure the cargo, and two new water-resistant rear storage compartments offer 182 liters of total capacity – the largest in its class. The Teryx also features a latching tailgate that can be removed without requiring tools, and the tailgate features molded-in drink holders for added convenience. Two people can even sit on the tailgate, it’s strong like a truck’s. A 2” hitch receiver is standard as the Teryx’s towing capacity is a substantial 1,300 pounds.
Convenience features include two DC power outlets providing up to 120 watts of peak electrical power. The LE comes with a very nice roof, which helps you stay dry on a rainy day, keeps you in the shade on a hot sunny day and helps to keep branches from entering the cab. Also worth mentioning is two huge beverage holders that are plenty deep. As hard as I drove the machine the Gatorade and Water bottles in the holders never flew out.
If you’re looking for a roomy and comfortable UTV this is it. There’s plenty of hip, shoulder and legroom for both driver and passenger regardless of their size and weight. And the LE comes with three-tone high-backed bucket seats that I have to admit were very comfortable due to their feature high-quality cushioning and cold-resistant seat material.The adjustable seats eliminate the need for a headrest and feature wraparound ergonomics to hold driver and passenger firmly in place. They also offer three positions in 1” increments to tailor the Teryx LE’s comfort to fit a wide range of body types. Three-point seat belts offer a high degree of security to keep the driver and passengers in place. Also a well-placed horizontal bar behind the seats offers a perfect place to mount four point harnesses.
Teryx LE’s instrumentation includes a mufti-function electronic display that provides a ton of useful information: speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer and hour meter, clock, dual trip meters, 2WD/4WD indicator, front-differential indicator light, parking-brake indicator, water-temp and fuel-injection warning indicators and a reverse indicator light.
The more I explored the machine the more impressed I became with Kawasaki’s attention to detail. Something that really stood out was the ease of maintenance on the Teryx. Kawasaki really did their homework here. I especially loved the fact that you could easily pop open the front hood, which is hinged to open forward like a sports car. When the hood is opened you can see there’s a ton of elbow room to get at whatever needs your attention. Under the hood, centrally located and out out of harms way is the air filter, fuse box, radiator, battery and the air intake snorkel.
The dual storage lockers located behind the seats are enormous, and like many of the features on the Teryx they’re very well done. Not only did they hold a ton of gear, they’re completely sealed and water-resistant. There’s also a nice platform between the two lockers that’s perfect for a cooler. There’s even tie down points to secure it and a nearby 12 volt outlet to possibly electronically cool or heat it. Additional storage is available in the large glove box.
LE and Camo Edition
Both the LE and Camo models include a roof, high-intensity long-lasting LED headlights and factory-designed secure latching doors that are easy to use, look good and offer a high level of mud protection.
LE versions of the Teryx include automotive-quality Candy Lime Green or Candy Burnt Orange paint finishes, color-matched shock springs and A-arms, sharp-looking three-tone seats, a new tubular-steel front brush guard and cast aluminum wheels.
3-Year Warranty
This really got my attention and it should yours too. Kawasaki is offering a new Kawasaki Strong 3 Year Limited Warranty against any and all manufacturer defects. Now this doesn’t mean you can roll it or crash into a tree and expect Kawasaki to fix the damages, what it does mean however is that if you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that a factory-backed support system is in place for a full three years.
Conclusion
At 1550 pounds the Teryx may be one of the heaviest UTVs on the market — it certainly wouldn’t be my first choice for dune riding or racing, but the Teryx holds its own quite well on the trail. It’s nothing like the original Teryx. The new version handles exceptionally well, offers an adjustable plush ride, provides gobs of torquey high-revving addictive power, provides a boat-load of storage and a hydraulic-assisted tilting bed, looks amazing and it’s extremely well built. What’s more Kawasaki may have just created the most durable machine on the market and backed it up with a the biggest warranty in the industry.
The Teryx is a very versatile and capable machine. If you’re looking for a new Side x Side that you can trail ride with your buddies with and not be left in the dust but also need something capable of pulling a trailer, hauling a sprayer, carrying a deer out of the wilderness and worthy of handling the many chores around your property, I highly recommend the 2014 Kawasaki Teryx 800.
