Taylor Hutchinson 03.31.25
Within the mountains of Montana, a bunch of outside and motorsports writers descended on the Ranch at Rock Creek — a sprawling 6,600-acre property with entry to fly-fishing, snowboarding, and, most significantly, the all-terrain mountain trails. We gathered right here with the crew from Kawasaki for a shared outside expertise, spotlighting the all-new 2025 Ridge Crew side-by-side — their first enclosed UTV, constructed for each energy and luxury. Over the course of three days, we got down to uncover the Ridge Crew’s full potential.
As we arrived on the ranch, we received our first glimpse of the brand new 2025 Ridge Crew. I didn’t comprehend it on the time, however we have been in for a protracted day of using to place this premium side-by-side by means of its paces. Anticipating a protracted, chilly day within the wilderness, I packed my thickest layers and jacket, able to set out. The Montana air was chilly this time of 12 months, with temperatures starting from 19 to 30 levels Fahrenheit. Wind and snowstorms cascaded from the mountains all through the day—excellent circumstances to check out a totally enclosed, climate-controlled UTV. I knew the Ridge Crew had a singular HVAC system, however I by no means anticipated I might be shedding layers shortly after we began on the path.
After a very good night time’s relaxation and a hearty breakfast, we headed to the Rod & Gun Membership situated close by on the ranch. The brisk mountain air lower deep by means of my beneficiant winter layers. The earlier night, we sat by means of a short presentation over dinner, reviewing the options of Kawasaki’s new Ridge Crew lineup. We discovered about 4 new fashions within the collection: the Ridge Crew HVAC, Ridge Crew Camo, Ridge Crew XR, and Ridge Crew Restricted. At present, we’d be testing the Restricted mannequin — fortunate for us, it’s positioned because the premium tier within the lineup. The Restricted mannequin comes normal with an 8” Garmin Tread infotainment unit. Leveraging this head unit, we have been in a position to share the expertise utilizing the group journey functionality, which allow us to monitor the workforce and lead automobile with GPS on the path. I used to be instructed later that the top unit integrates with different Garmin-compatible equipment. Brad, one of many writers in our group, introduced alongside a Starlink Mini that we tossed within the 1,000-lb capability cargo mattress. Whereas it wasn’t anyplace close to 1,000 kilos, it was excellent for streaming music on these distant mountain trails. Recognize the hook-up, Brad.
We discovered that this wasn’t the one tech within the UTV. Every mannequin additionally comes normal with a 7” full-color TFT meter. Paired with the Kawasaki RIDEOLOGY app on our telephones, we might document journey logs, view extra GPS knowledge to share with pals, and assessment automobile info. Being out all day — taking photos, taking pictures movies, and jamming to tunes — was taking a toll on a few of our telephones’ and cameras’ batteries. Fortunately, every mannequin comes stocked with USB ports, 12V DC energy retailers on the dashboard, and one other within the rear.
Armed with information about this new machine, we equipped and headed out to the path. We have been all paired with one other author and a member of the Kawasaki crew. Because the solar crested the mountain ridges, filling the valley under, we stepped into the Ridge Crew for the primary time. Every mannequin incorporates a premium inside with an insulated roof liner and a dome gentle. The Ridge Crew XR is provided with adjustable seats for each driver and passenger, whereas the Restricted and base fashions provide an adjustable driver’s seat. Already beginning to get chilly, I cranked the UTV on. Kawasaki’s 999cc inline four-cylinder engine got here to life. Due to a singular exhaust system, the Ridge Crew’s design retains the cabin comfy and free from fumes. The engine’s orientation and dual-wall exhaust warmth defend enable the rider to keep up a super cab temperature in any setting. Adjusting the HVAC was easy, with choices for fan power, contemporary or recirculated air, and a defrost mode. It virtually made me neglect I used to be in a UTV.
Beginning down the path, we started to know what had beforehand solely been head information. Whereas constructed for consolation, the Ridge Crew doesn’t compromise on energy. The Ridge Crew comes outfitted with Kawasaki’s 999cc inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 92 horsepower within the base mannequin and 116 within the XR, with high speeds reaching 68 mph. It strikes a stability between low-end torque and high-RPM energy. Beginning out, I didn’t discover the standard jolt I’m used to from different UTVs when the transmission shifts into gear. Updates to the 2025 Ridge Crew, in addition to the XR’s CVT system, enable for smoother preliminary takeoff and fewer belt deflection, preserving the belt taut so the CVT can have interaction it extra easily. The CVT supplies a clean, sturdy response with predictable engine braking, utilizing a “catch and launch” methodology that interprets to a secure, assured downhill really feel — including to the driving force’s confidence.
As we traversed the terrain, we stopped alongside the way in which to check varied options of the Ridge Crew. A lot of the path was nonetheless coated in deep snow from the night time earlier than. In different areas, the snow had melted, giving strategy to free rock and steep inclines. Every Ridge Crew was constructed with beneficiant floor clearance — between 13 and 15 inches, relying on the mannequin — and full-length skid plates. Paired with metal wheels, the Ridge Crew presents superior sturdiness and occupant safety.
Driving to every station, I couldn’t assist however surprise about all of the use instances this explicit side-by-side would match into. With its all-season design, there’s no excuse to not go farther and deeper into the hard-to-reach corners of the wilderness. Geared up with a 2” receiver hitch and a pair of,500 lbs of towing capability, you possibly can simply preserve looking plots, distant cabins, and survival caches stocked year-round. I assumed again to a fly-fishing spot I frequent in Western North Carolina that always has its roads washed out, making it tough to get to with my full-size truck. The Ridge Crew’s tires are 27” Duro Energy Grip V2s, whereas the XR comes outfitted with 30” SunF tires. Every mannequin options 14” aluminum wheels and hydraulic disc brakes, entrance and rear. Mixed with 4WD and 4WD with diff-lock drive modes, it’d be a cakewalk by means of these washed-out trails.
I didn’t need to think about for lengthy. We have been tasked with loading hay bales into the cargo mattress — in all probability a greater check than the Starlink Mini. Loading and unloading hay bales with the assisted cargo mattress took no time in any respect. I discovered the Ridge Crew exhausting to suit right into a single class. Whereas it’s stacked with premium options, it doesn’t fall quick as a workhorse both. Once we got here throughout a couple of downed timber, we put the Crew again to work. The Restricted mannequin, outfitted with a WARN VRX 45-S winch, made quick work of them — clearing the path for us to proceed on our journey.
The journey within the Ridge Crew was clean — we barely seen the tough terrain beneath us. And on no account have been we taking it sluggish, both. The facility drive modes include Sport, Work, and Regular. We spent most of our time in Sport mode. I’ve ridden loads of UTVs — on looking properties, mountain roads between cabins, and for good old style joyriding. However the Ridge Crew felt like one thing particular. It’s one thing I might see myself sharing with my partner — or possibly even a future toddler — no exhaust fumes, no mud within the eyes, no uncomfortable journey that cuts the day quick.
After driving all morning, I handed the wheel over to my using associate, Joel, for the afternoon. This gave me the possibility to expertise the Ridge Crew from the passenger’s perspective. Each journey feels proper once you’re the one driving. But it surely’s all the time a special story from the passenger seat. The Ridge Crew XR mannequin comes with adjustable seats for each the driving force and passenger, whereas the Restricted and base fashions embody an adjustable driver’s seat. I stand at 5’11” on a very good day and weigh in at 165 kilos — exceptionally common — however I by no means felt cramped within the passenger or rear seats. Rear legroom extends below the entrance seats, letting you stretch out on these longer rides. The rear security bar rubbed in opposition to some taller riders’ knees, however I can see the place the engineers have been coming from — balancing security and legroom.
The afternoon introduced new challenges for the Ridge Crew — steeper inclines, heavier snowfall, and stronger winds as we climbed larger into the mountains. At a couple of factors, the path narrowed into sharp 30-degree turns with steep cliffs simply past the sting. Leveraging the Ridge Crew’s entrance and rear cameras gave us some peace of thoughts as we navigated these tight spots. They’d additionally turn out to be useful when hooking up a trailer or backing as much as a lately harvested deer. Sadly, the cameras don’t activate routinely when shifting into reverse — a element we flagged for the Kawasaki techs, who have been onsite and taking all our suggestions with grace.
As we headed again to the ranch after summiting the mountainside, I rolled the ability home windows down — it was beginning to get heat contained in the cab. Glancing at my telephone, I noticed the skin temperature learn 19 levels. I turned down the warmth and was surprised by how nicely insulated we have been. The cab cooled down, and we rode comfortably again to the ranch, already dwelling on the reminiscences we’d simply made.
The outside is all about expertise. Christopher McCandless — higher often called Alex Supertramp — ventured into the Alaskan wilderness alone, trying to escape trendy society and the routines of day-to-day life. One lesson I take to coronary heart from his story is that this: the world is finest seen by means of a shared expertise. The Kawasaki Ridge Crew UTV presents that in a premium bundle. It’s constructed for peak efficiency with consolation and energy in thoughts. I see it giving those that wouldn’t usually enterprise farther up the path — or keep out longer, in any season — an actual likelihood to expertise the wild. An opportunity to create new shared experiences.
The enjoyment of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and therefore there isn’t a larger pleasure than to have an endlessly altering horizon, for every day to have a brand new and completely different solar…Happiness is barely actual when shared. —Alex Supertramp
