Hands down the best review of the Ridge so far! Wouldn’t expect anything less from you guys. Thanks! Luke pointed out a lot of things about the Ridge I haven’t heard before. Hopefully they solve / refine some of these issues then make it a 4-seater!!!!
Not bad for a first draft of this model. they could add 2 or 3" to that box length and keep the pivot point where it is to help with the load dumping aspect. Maybe next year they will address some of the cab noise issues. And for $40k CDN, they can put a winch on for you.
This seems like being close to a really good machine. Should have a winch, rear & front lockers and some kind of navigation screen. If you are spending this kind of money you want all of that stuff. Seems like the accountants came in at the end and said cut this & that to meet a price point. I think for the extra people would have bought it because they didn’t have to add anything else. Head scratcher to me.
A very honest review of this unit. It’s a great 1st step at what is essentially a hybrid between a General and a Ranger. Hopefully other brands follow.
I cant believe for being a sport utility they did not put reverse lights on it... also make an xr ridge limited with all the goodies fox shocks, stereo, navigation and winch. You know kinda like a r max limited .
You can really see the gap in upper door when you talk about the power windows. It's 1st time anyone mentions that. They have to do better for the price. Great detailed video, it was awesome
I watched a Ridge XR review a few weeks ago. When the guy got inside the driver side and shut the door, the first thing I noticed was daylight in the top corner of the door at the B pillar. It was a sizable gap and very noticeable. He never touched on it either. It was obvious and you know he had to have seen it too when he went back to edit the review video before posting it. I wish I could remember the TH-cam name.
We are wearing Leatt helmets this season. Nice lid, really comfortable and light. We prefer moto style lids, but any DOT head protection is a good start.
I wish more manufacture’s would find a way to quiet them done a bit that harmonic sound you were talking of gives my wife migraines. Or go to more transmission machines that cut down on cvt noise
when's the SXS market going to make an "extended" cab side by side? for more cab room/seat adjustability, imagine being able to recline in a side by side? Would create room for more storage behind the seats. which would allow for more leg room, would be a sweet spot for a gun case mount and/or subwoofer...
We have a 2024 Ridge. It is pretty nice looking unit but the cab noise is pretty loud. This is due to some silly engineer having it geared so low that it goes up to 5 or 6k when only going less that 20mph. What a brain fart! It should have a road gear so you can drive on roads like a car without going deaf! I also agree with prior comments. Spending 30,000 on a unit like this should have a winch and blinkers.
The low gears & high rpm's is a deal breaker, been trying to find a good review about it, thanks! Will stick with Polaris, plus the Polaris takes up less space in garage.
Nice review. I was wondering about that machine. The next point is serviceability . Haven’t really looked into it yet. It has to be better than my old can am commander . 😅
The oil filter,drain plug is easily accessible. Change the oil every 1200 miles. Kawasaki has a really good full synthetic. Air filter is under the center console inside the vechicle.
Love the bucket seats, 118hp, full cab, NO Sway bar, center console, square tire... please no sway bar (or rear only). Cab noise is unacceptable in an enclosed SxS end of story. the Expedition at 35% more than my Commander XTP is much louder and its absurd to pay that money and not be able to easily talk to passengers on open trails.
I've seen more of them expeditions everyday alot of people like them. Personally I like sportier machines I like to ride and hear the engine, but that's just me. My boss has the new xd1500 and that is a very quiet machine inside with that 3 cylinder engine.
@jelias999 yes Ranger is great, but it's very heavy. Not sporty or very mud friendly. Also there's a difference in nice motor noise and annoying drone and rattle. X3 or pro r is a great soundtrack with nice exhaust. Even those too loud gets old quick on a longer ride
@@adampetten1009 I'm not disagreeing my boss rides his on back roads dirt roads and takes it on long journeys but most of that isn't ridiculously rough terrain. He's all about the quiet cab and that machine is extremely quiet inside I was impressed. Id like to see the expedition like that but i personally can't justify spending that much on a sxs either way. I have a 24xp and it's definitely loud inside (same motor as the expedition), it bothered me at 1st but now I guess I'm just used to it.
@@jelias999 I drove an Expedition yesterday. The noise is a deal breaker. The Ranger XD is quet but I cannot sit like that for longer rides. Why can't someone make a sealed cab sport machine that is quiet?
@@JRSWANDOG68 I feel you man I'm really wanting to see the same, honestly i think whoever come out with a sealed factory cab with heat and ac on a sport machine would kill it. The noise isn't a deal breaker for me, mainly because when I'm riding I like to hear the engine. But i know alot of older folks who take these things everywhere and they hate the noise. I'm sure I'll be there someday as well.
Agree great review...The way this thing revs it's going to eat belts like crazy IMO...everything else looks wise inside and out the best out there by far...like I said my concern is belt wear and of course the $53,000 CDN price tag is outrageous.
Does the annoying sound you hear in the cab sound like chains raddling or like a bunch of washers?? We heard that sound and it was very annoying the whole ride. The seat sound that you said solved with foam? thanks!!
Agree to a degree. With a significant sticker prices and the full cab enclosure, there are expectations that the noise inside the cab will be less than it is. My feeling is this will be the next thing all manufacturers work on.
What's not mentioned here is that the limited model actually handles better for sportier driving then the XR. Also, the majority of people buying these styles of sxs's are going to prefer the bench seat, 3 seater option. IMO kawasaki is making a mistake by not offering the bench seat with the higher HP model.
It's a very cool machine and a 4 seater version would have interested, but man, that msrp is more than I paid for my full size Nissan Titan. That being said it's insanely dusty where I go, to the point I don't want to bring my kids atv'ing so the sealed cabin might be worth it.
This is a great in depth review, but honestly the camera work was really bad. The constant swaying and poor side camera angles didn’t let us see the interior that you were talking about clearly.
I still think a Yamaha Grizzly or Suzuki King Quad, Kawasaki Brute Force, or Honda Foreman or something of the sort....... and a rain jacket, is a better solution than building a massive cab infrastructure around a couple of people. These things are getting as expensive as compact cars, without any of the refinements or expectations. Sure, you don't have to register a SxS like a car, but they are also much more limited in travel, transport, and are just as big and bulky. Anything this big and expensive will require big insurance. I don't understand why SxS are so popular or where all the powersports money suddenly came from, when the motorcycle and Quad industry struggles to get even HALF the sales they had previous to 2009.
The engine noise is absolutely intollerable. It was so disappointing to test run one of these and to be met with 7k and 8k rpm just to get out of the parking lot. One of the loudest machines Ive ever been in and at 30k its a deffinite pass.
It's like Kawasaki didn't know what they wanted the ridge to be. More sport or utility? Went with a sporty engine in a utility biased chassis. I used to ride nothing but Kawasaki bikes and am waiting for a 250+HP krx without a belt drive.
Is it just me or should a top of the line SXS that comes in at $40k in 🇨🇦 before taxes and dealer fees be equipped with a factory winch? Also the non XR bring 3 wheel drive is unforgivable. Great review but Kawi being last in the game should have gotten it more right. I’m old and can afford the right HVAC SXS. Sadly this isn’t it. Maybe CFMoto will get it done for less. Great review.
@@dirttraxtv for me it's so much like Yamaha in the snowmobile industry. Had all the technology available to compete with any Doo or Polaris. Yamaha and kawi have everything available to compete with anything made by anyone and dominate and they just stay status quo. Nice machine's but nothing industry leading except maybe the 4 cylinder in the ridge.
I think they nailed it except it only needs one seat! It’s fine to make bigger 2-4-6 seaters but the fastest one should be a one seater like the RS1! That’s the one I want. Give me a RS1 style Yamaha with closed in cab AC and heat true 6 speed manual with a clutch and true shifter not paddles that auto shift that’s still no manual to me. Use Toyotas GR turbo 3 cyclinder thing would be powerful yet bulletproof! Which Yamaha already makes a good engine but still proven car engine would be better little bigger more power. Closed in cab and make it have turn signals headlights and take lights so it can be made street legal! I pay $30k for one I want to drive it every where! They drive them all over pigeon forge in TN! They put turn signals on them and tag them!
Sound deadening doesn't work. There are videos on youtube that prove it. 5 db cut at best. Take off the helmet and wear some sound canceling headphones.
@@dirttraxtv I guess the free market will decide if $30,000 is too much for a side by side. The consumer will also decide if jeeps or side by sides should be purchased.
I was actually thinking myself the same thing. I like the concept of a fully closed cab side by side with hvac, but for over 30 grand with not even a radio, and Extremely Loud cabin, I could buy a slightly used Bronco Sasquatch for the same price. The prices on side by sides have gotten crazy. Over 40K for some of the sport models from Polaris and Can-Am. For vehicles made of mostly plastic, snowmobile Transmissions, and engines that don't last 10,000 MI. I bought my my Wildcat Trail special edition for under $10,000 brand new. Putting an enclosed cab and air conditioning and heat should not add $ $20,000
After owning one Kawasaki mule pro FXR a 2023 model and mule pro mx a 2022 model I will never own a product that has the name Kawasaki on it again nothing but issues with them . And also with my piss poor Kawasaki dealer in Mount Vernon Ohio . I bought a Can-Am defender it has been a phenomenal machine
@@Nicks_Shop The FXR I was driving down the road The back wheels locked up and the transmission was leaking oil my dealer would not covered under warranty and I had a couple other issues with us seen unit but when I treated it my local Can-Am dealer sent that machine to a different dealer and they told me the different dealer did cover it under warranty . In the MX unit had a lot of issues with fuel filters and they put a fuel pump in it and that same unit would keep dying at idle and other issues going on with that unit as well but when I got to k&m defender it just seems like the Cana I'm just running so much easier smoother and haven't had any issues with it at this time and I do not mud run with those I use them on a farm for spray and hauling a lot of stuff . So yes Kawasaki makes me very upset a company is only as good as it's warranty and their dealers
I was actually the first one on our team to drive this machine back in January. I have some strong opinions on what I don't like on the unit. Not sure what you wanted to hear about heat, but he was really clear at 22:454 about the noise inside the cab and I agree with him one hundred percent. This machine is loud and something Kawasaki needs to work on and THAT is the truth.
That engine has some serious potential for aftermarket upgrades.
No winch at this prince point should be a crime.
Hands down the best review of the Ridge so far! Wouldn’t expect anything less from you guys. Thanks! Luke pointed out a lot of things about the Ridge I haven’t heard before. Hopefully they solve / refine some of these issues then make it a 4-seater!!!!
Appreciate that!!
Not bad for a first draft of this model. they could add 2 or 3" to that box length and keep the pivot point where it is to help with the load dumping aspect. Maybe next year they will address some of the cab noise issues. And for $40k CDN, they can put a winch on for you.
I can’t wait for one of these side-by-sides to reach six figures MSRP
Yikes.
This seems like being close to a really good machine. Should have a winch, rear & front lockers and some kind of navigation screen. If you are spending this kind of money you want all of that stuff. Seems like the accountants came in at the end and said cut this & that to meet a price point. I think for the extra people would have bought it because they didn’t have to add anything else. Head scratcher to me.
A very honest review of this unit. It’s a great 1st step at what is essentially a hybrid between a General and a Ranger. Hopefully other brands follow.
Love getting notifications from Dirt Trax!! 🍻
Cheers! Have a great weekend!! 🍻
I cant believe for being a sport utility they did not put reverse lights on it... also make an xr ridge limited with all the goodies fox shocks, stereo, navigation and winch. You know kinda like a r max limited .
Thank you for showing top speed, it’s need to know info for a lot of us that ride on roads and have to keep up with traffic
Great review!! I am glad i purchased a Defender limited.
You can really see the gap in upper door when you talk about the power windows. It's 1st time anyone mentions that. They have to do better for the price.
Great detailed video, it was awesome
Appreciate that!
I watched a Ridge XR review a few weeks ago. When the guy got inside the driver side and shut the door, the first thing I noticed was daylight in the top corner of the door at the B pillar. It was a sizable gap and very noticeable. He never touched on it either. It was obvious and you know he had to have seen it too when he went back to edit the review video before posting it. I wish I could remember the TH-cam name.
Now for a crewcab , gotta have my boys n pups along ! !
Yes crew cab and quieter interior!
@@adampetten1009 I think y'all actually just want a jeep...
The Ridge is definitely an eye catcher. I was wondering if you guys have done a segment on helmets, and if not, any suggestions or recommendations?
We are wearing Leatt helmets this season. Nice lid, really comfortable and light. We prefer moto style lids, but any DOT head protection is a good start.
Awesome review man. 👍
Thank you!!
Great review. Thank you for your honesty
Nice review Luke . With this engine and high rev is this Ridge XR hard on gas ?
Something we will keep an eye on.
OMG. I felt so bad for you guys! The bugs were eating you alive. I live in Bancroft so I know😂
Great review
Thank you!!
Steel inter fenders, glass all round,large tires ,and AC. No wonder they added extra hp, it needs it to pull the extra weight. Just say'n 😊
I think reasoning for 4 banger is they are planning on upgraded power of turbo or supercharged.
I wish more manufacture’s would find a way to quiet them done a bit that harmonic sound you were talking of gives my wife migraines. Or go to more transmission machines that cut down on cvt noise
when's the SXS market going to make an "extended" cab side by side? for more cab room/seat adjustability, imagine being able to recline in a side by side? Would create room for more storage behind the seats. which would allow for more leg room, would be a sweet spot for a gun case mount and/or subwoofer...
Would open up the customizability a bit with the room to add better /different style of seats as well
This is a great idea!
Artic Cat/Textron did, Stampede and Havoc.
How’s the sound levels in the cab while cruising?
I would say it is louder than you would expect it to be. We look forward to trying out an open air model to see the difference.
They are much quieter inside than the polaris ranger or expedition by a good amount. Still not vehicle quiet though
@GetlostwithKenny it's noisier than the Can Am Defender by quite a bit.
We have a 2024 Ridge. It is pretty nice looking unit but the cab noise is pretty loud. This is due to some silly engineer having it geared so low that it goes up to 5 or 6k when only going less that 20mph. What a brain fart! It should have a road gear so you can drive on roads like a car without going deaf! I also agree with prior comments. Spending 30,000 on a unit like this should have a winch and blinkers.
That parking brake reminds me of the 80’s Toyota pickup
Why compare the sealed cab to the General or Commander ? Seams This is built to compete against the Ranger or Defender
I actually agree with you. This one is debated around our office quite a bit.
The low gears & high rpm's is a deal breaker, been trying to find a good review about it, thanks! Will stick with Polaris, plus the Polaris takes up less space in garage.
They forgot to arch the A arms
First thing I said when I saw the Ridge release. No new sxs should come without em these days!!!
Nice review. I was wondering about that machine. The next point is serviceability . Haven’t really looked into it yet. It has to be better than my old can am commander . 😅
The oil filter,drain plug is easily accessible. Change the oil every 1200 miles. Kawasaki has a really good full synthetic. Air filter is under the center console inside the vechicle.
Love the bucket seats, 118hp, full cab, NO Sway bar, center console, square tire... please no sway bar (or rear only). Cab noise is unacceptable in an enclosed SxS end of story. the Expedition at 35% more than my Commander XTP is much louder and its absurd to pay that money and not be able to easily talk to passengers on open trails.
I've seen more of them expeditions everyday alot of people like them. Personally I like sportier machines I like to ride and hear the engine, but that's just me.
My boss has the new xd1500 and that is a very quiet machine inside with that 3 cylinder engine.
@jelias999 yes Ranger is great, but it's very heavy. Not sporty or very mud friendly. Also there's a difference in nice motor noise and annoying drone and rattle. X3 or pro r is a great soundtrack with nice exhaust. Even those too loud gets old quick on a longer ride
@@adampetten1009 I'm not disagreeing my boss rides his on back roads dirt roads and takes it on long journeys but most of that isn't ridiculously rough terrain. He's all about the quiet cab and that machine is extremely quiet inside I was impressed. Id like to see the expedition like that but i personally can't justify spending that much on a sxs either way.
I have a 24xp and it's definitely loud inside (same motor as the expedition), it bothered me at 1st but now I guess I'm just used to it.
@@jelias999 I drove an Expedition yesterday. The noise is a deal breaker. The Ranger XD is quet but I cannot sit like that for longer rides. Why can't someone make a sealed cab sport machine that is quiet?
@@JRSWANDOG68 I feel you man I'm really wanting to see the same, honestly i think whoever come out with a sealed factory cab with heat and ac on a sport machine would kill it. The noise isn't a deal breaker for me, mainly because when I'm riding I like to hear the engine. But i know alot of older folks who take these things everywhere and they hate the noise. I'm sure I'll be there someday as well.
Where's the RV Mirror?
Are you guys sure the xr can be upgraded to the garmin tread? My understanding is only the limited model has the garmin tread system.
Now you've got me wondering. Will confirm...
Agree great review...The way this thing revs it's going to eat belts like crazy IMO...everything else looks wise inside and out the best out there by far...like I said my concern is belt wear and of course the $53,000 CDN price tag is outrageous.
Does the annoying sound you hear in the cab sound like chains raddling or like a bunch of washers?? We heard that sound and it was very annoying the whole ride. The seat sound that you said solved with foam? thanks!!
Kawasaki needs a 64" HVAC sealed cab KRX. People are screaming for sport HVAC machines.
Love this idea.
This ridge model vs the 2025 ranger north star, who wins and why?
@17:22 the camera person is doing the PP dance.
does it have engine braking?
Can you confirm on if Kawasaki is sending dealers fixes for the heater core bypass to eliminate heat issues in the cab?
Can't confirm at this moment but something we can look into. Stay tuned!
Screen protector
To the people complaining about noise, need to realize these are OFF ROAD vehicles not Cadillac’s. 🤦🏻♂️
Agreed😂
Agree to a degree. With a significant sticker prices and the full cab enclosure, there are expectations that the noise inside the cab will be less than it is. My feeling is this will be the next thing all manufacturers work on.
Take a ride in a Yamaha wolverine x2. You can have a normal conversation while riding. Very quiet and no motor heat
What's not mentioned here is that the limited model actually handles better for sportier driving then the XR. Also, the majority of people buying these styles of sxs's are going to prefer the bench seat, 3 seater option. IMO kawasaki is making a mistake by not offering the bench seat with the higher HP model.
100% agree, if the xr came with a bench seat(and beadlocks) id be buying one, hopefully they get on board next year.
Maybe Polaris will see the performance gap between their general and up the ante
I don’t think a touch screen would make sense , usually wearing gloves and would drive me mad if it got all scratched up
It's a very cool machine and a 4 seater version would have interested, but man, that msrp is more than I paid for my full size Nissan Titan. That being said it's insanely dusty where I go, to the point I don't want to bring my kids atv'ing so the sealed cabin might be worth it.
This is a great in depth review, but honestly the camera work was really bad. The constant swaying and poor side camera angles didn’t let us see the interior that you were talking about clearly.
k
how good does the ac work, the hvac in my defender is embarrassing
It is decent enough. Haven't tested it out in really disgustingly hot weather, but it definitely is nicer than not having it.
Our 2024 ridge cools down pretty well.
I still think a Yamaha Grizzly or Suzuki King Quad, Kawasaki Brute Force, or Honda Foreman or something of the sort....... and a rain jacket, is a better solution than building a massive cab infrastructure around a couple of people.
These things are getting as expensive as compact cars, without any of the refinements or expectations. Sure, you don't have to register a SxS like a car, but they are also much more limited in travel, transport, and are just as big and bulky. Anything this big and expensive will require big insurance.
I don't understand why SxS are so popular or where all the powersports money suddenly came from, when the motorcycle and Quad industry struggles to get even HALF the sales they had previous to 2009.
The engine noise is absolutely intollerable. It was so disappointing to test run one of these and to be met with 7k and 8k rpm just to get out of the parking lot. One of the loudest machines Ive ever been in and at 30k its a deffinite pass.
It's like Kawasaki didn't know what they wanted the ridge to be. More sport or utility? Went with a sporty engine in a utility biased chassis. I used to ride nothing but Kawasaki bikes and am waiting for a 250+HP krx without a belt drive.
Well said 🙌
Is it just me or should a top of the line SXS that comes in at $40k in 🇨🇦 before taxes and dealer fees be equipped with a factory winch? Also the non XR bring 3 wheel drive is unforgivable. Great review but Kawi being last in the game should have gotten it more right. I’m old and can afford the right HVAC SXS. Sadly this isn’t it. Maybe CFMoto will get it done for less. Great review.
@@dirttraxtv for me it's so much like Yamaha in the snowmobile industry. Had all the technology available to compete with any Doo or Polaris. Yamaha and kawi have everything available to compete with anything made by anyone and dominate and they just stay status quo. Nice machine's but nothing industry leading except maybe the 4 cylinder in the ridge.
I think everyone is wanting the krx with more power, very nice machine but definitely needs more power.
No door locks not good?
The floppy/squeaky doors is a no go for me. They are just too large to be reliable long term.
I think they nailed it except it only needs one seat! It’s fine to make bigger 2-4-6 seaters but the fastest one should be a one seater like the RS1! That’s the one I want. Give me a RS1 style Yamaha with closed in cab AC and heat true 6 speed manual with a clutch and true shifter not paddles that auto shift that’s still no manual to me. Use Toyotas GR turbo 3 cyclinder thing would be powerful yet bulletproof! Which Yamaha already makes a good engine but still proven car engine would be better little bigger more power. Closed in cab and make it have turn signals headlights and take lights so it can be made street legal! I pay $30k for one I want to drive it every where! They drive them all over pigeon forge in TN! They put turn signals on them and tag them!
Rmax , general and commander all have far better suspension setups , ridge is like a ranger or defender
Yes.
The 4cyl was put in cause it is a much quieter engine. Btw please stop referring to the engine as a motor. Electric=motor combustion=engine
This engine is NOT quiet and is not quieter than their twin.
I have a 2021 jeep sahara 4 door. 47500 out the door.
Cool
It's just another sxs that's too loud to ride. I'd probably have a sxs by now but find them all too noisy from the drivers seat.
The u shouldn't be riding 😂.
@@ljccoppola2818 exactly lol
@ljccoppola2818 for the price of these machines cost you should be able to carry on a conservation without screaming.
No such thing as a machine being too loud lol
The joys of CVT
Sound deadening doesn't work. There are videos on youtube that prove it. 5 db cut at best. Take off the helmet and wear some sound canceling headphones.
$30,000 side by side, why bot just get a jeep
Why not a Ranger? Why not a Defender? Why buy anything? Some guys don't want a jeep.
@@dirttraxtv I guess the free market will decide if $30,000 is too much for a side by side. The consumer will also decide if jeeps or side by sides should be purchased.
I was actually thinking myself the same thing. I like the concept of a fully closed cab side by side with hvac, but for over 30 grand with not even a radio, and Extremely Loud cabin, I could buy a slightly used Bronco Sasquatch for the same price. The prices on side by sides have gotten crazy. Over 40K for some of the sport models from Polaris and Can-Am. For vehicles made of mostly plastic, snowmobile Transmissions, and engines that don't last 10,000 MI. I bought my my Wildcat Trail special edition for under $10,000 brand new. Putting an enclosed cab and air conditioning and heat should not add $ $20,000
To much $$$
What's it $$
Listed in the description.
ت
What a hunk of crap. This day and age in utv land you need to do alot better than that. To many issues right out of the box.
After owning one Kawasaki mule pro FXR a 2023 model and mule pro mx a 2022 model I will never own a product that has the name Kawasaki on it again nothing but issues with them . And also with my piss poor Kawasaki dealer in Mount Vernon Ohio . I bought a Can-Am defender it has been a phenomenal machine
Interesting.. I rarely hear anything negative about the Mule
@@Nicks_Shop The FXR I was driving down the road The back wheels locked up and the transmission was leaking oil my dealer would not covered under warranty and I had a couple other issues with us seen unit but when I treated it my local Can-Am dealer sent that machine to a different dealer and they told me the different dealer did cover it under warranty . In the MX unit had a lot of issues with fuel filters and they put a fuel pump in it and that same unit would keep dying at idle and other issues going on with that unit as well but when I got to k&m defender it just seems like the Cana I'm just running so much easier smoother and haven't had any issues with it at this time and I do not mud run with those I use them on a farm for spray and hauling a lot of stuff . So yes Kawasaki makes me very upset a company is only as good as it's warranty and their dealers
Too many things to go wrong with it👎
just tell the truth about the heat and noise ; here you dont !
I was actually the first one on our team to drive this machine back in January. I have some strong opinions on what I don't like on the unit. Not sure what you wanted to hear about heat, but he was really clear at 22:454 about the noise inside the cab and I agree with him one hundred percent. This machine is loud and something Kawasaki needs to work on and THAT is the truth.