Workhorse Kawasaki quads tough it out

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KVF750 Brute Force 4x4, descended from an old favourite that hasn't been available in South Africa for some years, now with electronic fuel-injection and electric power steering.

Scarcely had the dust settled after the SA introduction of Kawasaki's four-seat Teryx4, than it let fly with another two new quads - more conventional, single-seaters this time with handlebar steering.

The first is the KVF750 Brute Force 4x4, descended from an old favourite that hasn't been available in South Africa for some years, now with electronic fuel-injection and electric power steering.

Its 749cc four-stroke V-twin engine now kicks out a claimed 37kW and 59Nm, with a wider torque band for low-down grunt. It's also more compact than before so the chassis, suspension and body panels have also been revised to take advantage of that, making the whole package smaller and lighter.

SELECTABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

Standard features include front disc brakes, a constantly veritable belt-drive transmission with reverse gear, selectable all-wheel drive, and on-demand variable front differential control.

There's also the totally sealed waterproof and dustproof rear brake that Kawasaki uses on most of its four-wheelers. And it's not just a play-toy - the KVF750 is rated to tow a 560kg trailer load.

Compact but tough KVF300 has load platforms fore and aft.

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It costs R94 995, or there's a special-edition model finished in grey and blue that retails for R2000 more.

LITTLE BRUTE FORCE

Kawasaki's all-new KVF300, on the other hand, is built as a “crossover” quad, intended to be as much fun over weekends as it is a workhorse from Monday to Friday.

It has a 271cc single overhead camshaft, single-cylinder four-stroke engine that brings 16kW and 22Nm to the party, feeding it to the ground via a CVT transmission with a centrifugal clutch.

Large storage platforms front and rear handle the payload while sports-derived suspension and triple disc brakes handle the rough with the smooth.

The Kawasaki Brute Force KVF 300 retails at R40 995. As with its 750cc sibling, it comes with a 12-month warranty.

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