A Complete Guide for the Kawasaki KRX 1000

In the beginning, Kawasaki Aircraft initially began manufacturing motorcycles through Meguro Manufacturing that would later become Kawasaki Motor Sales. Starting in 1962, the company’s engineers began working on a four-stroke engine for small cars. Some of these engineers transferred to the factory in Meguro that would ultimately lead to the development of Kawasaki Motorcycle Co., Ltd. While the Kawasaki KRX 1000 isn’t exactly a motorcycle, it’s not really a car either. It is technically a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), which is otherwise referred to as a side-by-side vehicle. In the beginning, Shozo Kawasaki struggled with his Japanese-based shipping company before a breakthrough in 1878 ultimately relocated his base of operations from Tokyo to Hyogo in 1886. When he did this, he renamed his company Kawasaki Dockyard. He changed it again in 1894, to Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd. By 1906, he opened up another new factory and began to diversify the company’s production capabilities. This diversification included making parts for the automotive industry, railroad industry, and airplanes by the tail end of the first world war. Unfortunately for Kawasaki, after the conclusion of the war, plus the arms limitation agreement that was established in 1912, there was a major decline in the demand for ship-making products. When the 1929 Great Depression hit, this cause massive financial issues against Kawasaki and his company. It was, however, among the few that survived. However, it wasn’t until 1947 when the Japanese government implemented a new shipbuilding agenda, therefore giving Kawasaki the golden opportunity to capitalize on rising profits again and restore the company back to its former glory. Kawasaki spared no effort to make sure they were back on top again. By the time the 1950s hit, Japan became the largest shipbuilding manufacturer in the world.

For Kawasaki, the company opted to diversify as they no longer wished to remain so dependent on just one source of business income. This resulted in Kawasaki deciding to pull out of the shipbuilding industry as early as the late 1960s so that they could venture into manufacturing goods that have a more stable market base. This is where they began making aircraft, bridges, jet skis, railroad cards, subway cars, and tunnel-boring machines. As Kawasaki Heavy Industries, an agreement was made with the Chinese government in 1995 to manufacture the largest containerships ever built. It was a short-lived venture that was profitable at the beginning but began to decline shortly afterward. This resulted in the company looking into additional new ventures that have since seen a fluctuation of profits and losses over the years. Over time, Kawasaki has learned to reinvent themselves, something which they’ve learned how to do since the earliest days of the company’s existence. For instance, when it comes to jet skis and sea-doos, it’s not uncommon for riders to refer to all of them as Kawasakis, even if it’s a design made by another brand. The design that goes into the motorcycles belonging to Kawasaki also goes into their watercraft, as well as their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the utility terrain vehicles (UTVs). In 2007 for the 2008 model year, the first of Kawasaki’s Teryx platform for sportier utility terrain vehicles from its already popular Mule model. The Mule UTV units were and still are, popular side-by-side vehicles used in the military, as well as among tradesmen working in forestry, mining, and agriculture. Since the Mule, the Teryx UTVs came as either two-seat or four-seat models and were developing a solid fan base that has remained loyal to the brand over the years. These also saw their way onto military bases and the camps belonging to the forest industry and mining industry. Over time, as its competitors came up with machines that could put out nearly 200 horsepower, as well as other superior displays of performance, Kawasaki knew they needed to step up their own game in order to compete.

About the Kawasaki KRX 1000

Kawasaki’s response was the 2020 Teryx KRX 1000 series. In September 2019, Kawasaki unveiled its first attempt into the pure-sport side-by-side market with the Teryx KRX 1000. If the standout lime green wasn’t enough to draw attention to this impressive UTV model, its overall frame, lines and structural design certainly was. It was deemed as the best-looking UTV of the year, Kawasaki lime green and all. It was longer than the Polaris RZR Pro XP and taller than the Can-Am Maverick X3. The stance of the 2020 KRX 1000 was longer than Honda’s Talon 1000X. It was also among the heaviest of the UTV models, weighing at 1,896 pounds, which is approximately one hundred pounds heavier than the Talon. The 2021 Teryx KRX 1000 series still remained as a big side-by-side with a wheelbase that stretches nearly one hundred inches and can handle a wide variety of terrain types, including handling the rockiest ground a driver can find. The spaciousness of the UTVs makes it easy for even the tallest riders to enjoy the vehicle and all of the premium features that come with it. Upon the presentation of the 2021 lineup, there are three variants riders were able to choose from between its base model, a special edition, and a trial edition. After making your choice, there is also a long list of aftermarket parts that each feature the Kawasaki brand name. The base models of the Teryx KRX 1000, when sold as new, go for $20,499 USD and are in two different color schemes. The first option is a vibrant blue with metallic onyx black while the second is Kawasaki’s signature lime green with the metallic onyx black. For $22,599 USD, the special edition of the 2021 series has metallic moondust white with metallic onyx black, and the trail edition was priced at $22,999 USD and in fragment camo gray. The special editions and trail editions are also dolled up with graphics, along with certain features that justified the price boost for each variation of the KRX 1000 units. In addition to the base model of the KRX 1000 series, there is also the 2022 Teryx KRX 1000 Special Edition, which starts at $22,999 USD and has the turquoise meets metallic onyx black coloration. The boost behind the special edition has a high-grade HIFONICS Bluetooth AM/FM audio system and the WARN VRX 45 power sport winch. As for the $23,499 USD fragment camo gray-colored 2022 Teryx KRX 1000 Trail Edition, it features the sport front and rear bumpers, nerf bars, KQR sport roof, and the WARN VRX 45 power sport winch.

The 2022 Teryx KRX 1000 Specifications

The 2022 lineup boasts a number of varieties of the series, starting with the basic model of the Teryx KRX 1000, which is based-valued at $20,499 USD. There are two color options available with this particular model. The first is lime green with metallic onyx black and the second is a sunbeam red with metallic onyx black.

Power Specifications

Engine specification: 4-stroke, DOHC, 8-valve parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine
Displacement: 999 cubic centimeters
Bore by Store: 92.0 by 75.1 millimeters
Compression Ratio: 11.5:1
Maximum Torque Performance: 76.7 lb-ft @ 7,000 RPM
Fuel System: DFI with two 50-millimeter throttle bodies
Ignition: TCBI with electronic advance
Starting System: Electric
Transmission: Automatic CVT with a centrifugal clutch (H-L-N-R)
Final Drive: Selectable two-wheel-drive (2WD)/four-wheel-drive (4WD) with locking front differential, shaft
Engine Braking

Chassis Specifications

The frame of the Kawasaki KRX 100 is a ladder-type, made from tubular steel. The overall length remained at 130.1 inches long and the overall width is 68.1 inches wide. The height is 74.8 inches tall. The curb weight is 1,896.3 pounds and the wheelbase is 98.8 inches with wheel types that are made with an alloy with bead-lock wheels. The instruments involved in the makeup of the KRX 1000 are;

Multi-function digital meter with bar-style tachometer and its two display options

Digital Speedometer
Bar-style Fuel Gauge
Gear Indicator (L-H-N-R)
Power Mode
Driving Mode Indicator (2WD/4WD/4WD+Diff-Lock)
Economical Riding Indicator
Clock
Odometer
Dual Trip Meters
Hour Meter
Water Temperature
Digital Battery Gauge
Bar-style CTV Temperature
Seatbelt Warning Lamp
Oil Warning Lamp
Engine Check Lamp
Water Temperature Lamp
Neutral Indicator Lamp
Reverse Indicator Lamp
Parking Indicator Lamp
EPS Warning Lamp
CVT Belt Warning Lamp
Additional Specifications
Front Suspension/Wheel Travel
Double Wishbone
Fox 2.5 Podium LSC shocks with piggyback reservoir
Fully adjustable preload
twenty-four position adjustable compression damping
Wheel Travel @ 18.6 inches
Rear Suspension/Wheel Travel
Four-link trailing-arm rear suspension
Fox 2.5 Podium LSC shocks with piggyback reservoir
Fully adjustable preload
Twenty-four position adjustable compression damping
Wheel Travel @ 21.1 inches
MAXXIS Carnivore 31×10.00R15 8PR (front and rear) tires
Electric Power Steering (EPS) with rack and pinion
Dual hydraulic front brake discs with two-piston calipers
Dual hydraulic rear brake discs with single-piston calipers
Maximum Ground Clearance: 14.8 inches
10.6 Gallon Fuel capacity (40 liters)
20.3-foot turning radius
Cargo Bed Dimensions: 14.6 inches by length, 33.1 inches by width, and 9.1 inches by height (370 millimeters by 840 millimeters by 230 millimeters)
351-pound cargo bed capacity (159 kilograms)
781-pound load capacity (354 kilograms)
Two-passenger seating capacity
Lighting: Two LED headlights, two LED taillights, and a LED stoplight

Reviewing the KRX 1000 Series

The observations made by UTV Driver see no real difference between the 2021 KRX 1000 models and the 2022 models at the base, aside from color differences and a few minor tweaks. As for the 2022 special edition, it now has a Hifonics audio system with an in-dash LED screen that plays through the door speakers. There is also a subwoofer that can add to the excitement as you’re riding the trail with beat-thumping music. However, if you’re more into trail performance as your means of entertainment instead of going stereo, the nerf bars down the sides and the sport bumpers help buffer whatever the UTV gets into. There is also a KQR sport roof for the trial edition, as well as rigged in mounts for up to six LED dome lights. There is also a VRX 45 winch that has fifty feet of steel cable that can have the KRX 1000 pull up to 4,500 pounds. According to Motorcyclist Online, when they reviewed the 2020 KRX 1000 model, the first comment was about how it looked like a customized offroad buggy due to the big thirty-one-inch tires and the UTV’s framework. The biggest kick was learning how well the utility terrain vehicle handled even the rockiest ground, seeming to hug the stones with care as one climbs up, zips around, and speeds down whatever the UTV could handle.

What’s Next for KRX 1000

For three years solid, Kawasaki has brought forth the KRX 1000 models as top-quality UTV machines on the market that has been hard to beat. Although the formula has proven to be a successful one so far, Kawasaki isn’t known for sitting back for too long to allow the competition to come up with something to overshadow them. With the growing popularity of utility terrain vehicles on the rise, so is the demand for technology to keep up with the expectations of the consumer. While recreationalists love this big toy to go adventuring around in, the military and tradespeople also appreciate what the UTV can do where no other vehicle can. Kawasaki, who has a history of observing and listening to the public, will no doubt have a 2023 KRX on the horizon that may turn even more heads than they have already. There has been mention by Kawasaki’s production team of new models and designs in mind for the KRX 1000 models. There is hope there will be four-seater models on the horizon. Some had hoped for a turbo model, which is a possibility the company could be considering. There is also a growing demand for models that use electric motors instead of combustion, something Kawasaki is likely paying attention to.