Purchased Kawasaki Ridge Limited

[ehart814]

Traded in my trusty Pioneer 1000-5 deluxe on a Ridge Limited. Posting here in case anyone is doing research. As I get some time on it, I'll post pics and thoughts.

So far, the cab is super nice. Little quirks here and there.

Sweet engine, typical CVT. It's a high RPM inline 4 so it's buzzy but the top end rips. It is very smooth with zero vibration. Time will tell if it has enough bottom end torque for my use.

Great seats. Heater works great. Doors seem like they seal really well. Power windows are nice. Has some nice design features. The bed is not huge, but seems bigger than the 1000-5 bed. Will be getting a remote start installed in a couple weeks.

The quality is there for the most part. I do like how Kawi's are built. They are tough and they have probably the best warranty in the industry.

I'll post the first photo, even though I posted it in the other thread. Will probably move the discussion here for the most part to keep the forum organized.

 

[Admin]

 

[JACKAL]

Congrats on the new machine, hope it serves you well. Interested in hearing your long term ownership experience with it.

 

[Hondasxs]

Nice,
This is a nice concept that Honda is missing out on. Honda is so close to having similar, but it's like they just gave up and said F-it. Lets just slap on this door that has air holes all over the place.
I know its kinda a niche market within the industry, but for older folks or those that dont want to get dirty and even street legal groups its going to be a requirement that will push them into the sealed units like the Ridge or Canam

Keep us updated on any issues and accomplishments.
Thanks.

 

[ehart814]

Nice,
This is a nice concept that Honda is missing out on. Honda is so close to having similar, but it's like they just gave up and said F-it. Lets just slap on this door that has air holes all over the place.
I know its kinda a niche market within the industry, but for older folks or those that dont want to get dirty and even street legal groups its going to be a requirement that will push them into the sealed units like the Ridge or Canam

Keep us updated on any issues and accomplishments.
Thanks.

I'm sure Honda will offer something similar (and probably better) in due time. It is my opinion that Honda takes their time to get a good product out there.

I kicked around the idea of installing hard doors and a heater. But I knew after spending $3000 or more I would not be satisfied with all the air leaks, etc. These newer HVAC machines have the ROPS contoured so they are designed to seal with doors and I think the makes a huge difference.

Also, Honda has been making cars for like 50 years. So they have tons of resources dedicated to HVAC and minimizing NVH - so I think whenever their HVAC model does come out, it should be the best on the market

Look at all the HVAC models out there from Polaris, Canam, John Deere, and more. It's not such a niche anymore. There are tons of them and people are buying them. Even in my area I'm seeing those enclosed Polaris Adventure models driving around. A friend of mine just dropped $40k on a Gator with HVAC. I believe HVAC models are going to be more and more common. Honda sees all the people buying $50k+ Polaris models and they will go for their 10% market share in that area eventually

 

[ehart814]

Nice,
This is a nice concept that Honda is missing out on. Honda is so close to having similar, but it's like they just gave up and said F-it. Lets just slap on this door that has air holes all over the place.
I know its kinda a niche market within the industry, but for older folks or those that dont want to get dirty and even street legal groups its going to be a requirement that will push them into the sealed units like the Ridge or Canam

Keep us updated on any issues and accomplishments.
Thanks.

I wish you were closer so I could let you borrow this thing. Some good product ideas that are right in your wheelhouse, that would sell like crazy. How the hell did they not put backup lights on this thing????

 

[Hondasxs]

I wish you were closer so I could let you borrow this thing. Some good product ideas that are right in your wheelhouse, that would sell like crazy. How the hell did they not put backup lights on this thing????

I know.
I focus on 3 machines on the market. And we cant keep up now. lol.

 

[ehart814]

I know.
I focus on 3 machines on the market. And we cant keep up now. lol.

But, that's why you have good products. Not spreading yourself too thin, doing what you do best. I loved your plug and play backup light on my Pioneer 1000-5

 

[DRZRon1]

Traded in my trusty Pioneer 1000-5 deluxe on a Ridge Limited. Posting here in case anyone is doing research. As I get some time on it, I'll post pics and thoughts.

So far, the cab is super nice. Little quirks here and there.

Sweet engine, typical CVT. It's a high RPM inline 4 so it's buzzy but the top end rips. It is very smooth with zero vibration. Time will tell if it has enough bottom end torque for my use.

Great seats. Heater works great. Doors seem like they seal really well. Power windows are nice. Has some nice design features. The bed is not huge, but seems bigger than the 1000-5 bed. Will be getting a remote start installed in a couple weeks.

The quality is there for the most part. I do like how Kawi's are built. They are tough and they have probably the best warranty in the industry.

I'll post the first photo, even though I posted it in the other thread. Will probably move the discussion here for the most part to keep the forum organized.View attachment 454475

new toys always exciting 😎.

looks great - enjoy it !

 

[Hello_Darkness]

I know.
I focus on 3 machines on the market. And we cant keep up now. lol.

Maybe you need another set of hands 👀

 

[ChadD]

I'm sure Honda will offer something similar (and probably better) in due time. It is my opinion that Honda takes their time to get a good product out there.

I kicked around the idea of installing hard doors and a heater. But I knew after spending $3000 or more I would not be satisfied with all the air leaks, etc. These newer HVAC machines have the ROPS contoured so they are designed to seal with doors and I think the makes a huge difference.

Also, Honda has been making cars for like 50 years. So they have tons of resources dedicated to HVAC and minimizing NVH - so I think whenever their HVAC model does come out, it should be the best on the market

Look at all the HVAC models out there from Polaris, Canam, John Deere, and more. It's not such a niche anymore. There are tons of them and people are buying them. Even in my area I'm seeing those enclosed Polaris Adventure models driving around. A friend of mine just dropped $40k on a Gator with HVAC. I believe HVAC models are going to be more and more common. Honda sees all the people buying $50k+ Polaris models and they will go for their 10% market share in that area eventually

And yet jeep owners take roof and doors off at first chance they get 🤦‍♂️🙄🤣. Nobody is ever happy. Cast as far from shore as you can, then get in boat and cast as close to shore as you can 🤣. Put deer blind in fence row and hunt the neighbors 🤷‍♂️🤣.

 

[ChadD]

Maybe you need another set of hands 👀

TWSS

 

[906UP]

Congrats on the new machine!

 

[GRANITE]

congrats. I wished they made a 4 seater.