2008 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 Review

Just looking at the Kawasaki KVF750 is enough to make you understand why the company uses the Brute Force logo on this series of ATVs.

Having ridden the Brute Force 650 in the past, we were curious how the new 750 would respond when the throttle was squeezed. We were not disappointed.

Kawasaki’s V-Twin engine is one of the most overwhelming, pure power motors in ATV industry. The liquid cooled, fuel injected power plant with single overhead cams and four valves per cylinder produces 50hp at 6,500 rpm and 5.6kg of torque at 4,500 rpm.

What makes it unique?

Kawasaki makes proper use of its power and manages to translate it into motion via the transmission. This is the part where the Kawasaki gains points over some other manufacturers. The belt type, fully automatic, continuously variable transmission (CVT) with all the extras provides the traction required in just about every situation.

The electronic engine braking system is superb as it slows the whole unit on downhills without adding too much or (under certain cases) too little braking effect. The 2WD/4WD system can be selected through the use of a single button and a front differential locking clutch is operated via a small lever situated over the left brake lever. You can slip it and partially lock the differential, or lock it for maximum traction under specific conditions like tough mud or extreme uphills. You are able to select high or low or even the reverse when you get stuck.

The front disc brakes provide good feel and plenty of power.

The fully independent rear suspension enhances the handling on hardcore trails.

Suspension

Kawasaki relies on dual A-arm front suspension and a fully independent suspension with dual coil-over-shocks mounted to dual A-arms in the rear. A torsion bar is also in place, which Kawasaki says helps control body roll. The handling is fine under most circumstances, thanks to good tuning.

Kawasaki engineers have invested many hours selecting variable spring rates and setting up the valves properly in order to fine tune them according to the particular ATV’s needs. Crisp handling and bump absorbing ability are two factors that show how good the overall suspension package is. Kawasaki’s Showa rear shock also attracts your attention with its immaculate operation.

Ergonomics

There is a small storage compartment under the seat.

Overall the ergonomics of the Brute Force 750 are good. The wider midsection is something we did not particularly like. Thinner is much better and more comfortable for most rider’s standards. The seat foam is neither too soft nor too tight – it lies somewhere in the middle, which makes it nice and comfortable even during a long run. The handlebars match with the seat height and provide adequate leverage even under sport riding conditions.

We liked the under-seat fuel tank, as it brings the fuel weight low on the ATV, helping to lower the center of gravity. Kawasaki placed the air filter where the tank would normally be and a small storage compartment under the air filter access hatch was a bonus. The mud guards provide excellent protection when riding through a river or muddy sections and the footrests feature an opening that enables the water to pass through them.

In action

No matter how hard the terrain is the Brute Force 750 can pull you through.

The most noticeable thing when riding on a trail is the way the suspension handles bumps. The 750 delivers good comfort at moderate speeds and it gets even better when charging the trail more aggressively. This is when its handling becomes more direct and predictable.

Its power easily handles muddy conditions too, though there is a limit to what it can take. In Kawasaki’s case this limit is about eight inches of mud before the 750 gets stuck on its skid plates.

Climbing is not an issue for this powerful Kawasaki.

Turning is unique on the Kawasaki since it boosts your confidence no matter how hard you hit the gas. It has no tendency to body roll or hook up when you enjoy controllable power slides. When it comes to sliding this is a sport utility that makes your day. The claimed 50hp guarantees the slide actuation since the responsive power can break the back tires loose so nicely, enabling you to control the arc around turns with accuracy. The engine is extremely strong and the power is noticeable from very low rpm.

The lockable differential keeps the Brute Force 750 on the move under really rough conditions, including times when you’re certain it’s going to get stuck. It’s a good climber since it is able to find traction under any sensible condition and the fully independent rear suspension rewards you with its steadiness and also provides good traction during climbing. That confident feeling really is a great bonus during a long ride. The Brute Force 750 is equally adept at descending hills. It handles superbly even if you have to apply the front brakes while steering the machine at the same time.

Braking action is great at both ends. The rear brakes are oil-cooled, sealed and nearly impossible to overheat. However, if you are riding in the winter on icy conditions you might get surprised if the temperature gets really low, since the cold oil bath minimizes the brake action.

Towing is another one of the Kawasaki’s advantages. We pulled a twin trailer with two personal watercrafts fairly easily on a sandy beach.

Features

Racks and rims match are color-matched to the body.

The two racks are useful to load any type of equipment and their color matches the NRA Outdoor graphics of the ATV. Additionally, it is equipped with small storage compartments. The instrument panel provides all the adequate information and it is possible to read it easily at any viewing angle. The skid plates cover the front arms, part of the swing arm and the crankcases, so the Kawasaki can be dragged anywhere with no worries.

The overall quality is very good and the Brute Force 750 is one of the ATVs you’ll want to consider if you enjoy aggressive riding.