The 2010 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 refined Kawasaki’s original two-seat sport-utility side-by-side with improved cooling, easier service access, a reinforced cargo bed and updated front styling. It retained the fuel-injected 749cc V-twin, selectable four-wheel drive and compact 76-inch wheelbase that defined the first-generation Teryx.
This page is a model-year overview based on Kawasaki’s original vehicle information. For driving impressions, see our separate 2010 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport review.
What Changed on the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx?
The 2010 Teryx was not a complete redesign. Instead, Kawasaki concentrated on durability, cooling and serviceability while retaining the basic platform introduced for 2008 and upgraded with digital fuel injection for 2009.
The primary 2010 updates included:
- A new hinged, forward-tilting hood
- More convenient access to the radiator and front suspension
- New inset headlights and updated front styling
- A larger radiator cooling fan
- A larger-diameter coolant hose for increased flow
- A relocated coolant reserve tank beneath the front hood
- An ignition cutout that prevented driving with the parking brake engaged
- A reinforced tilting cargo-bed frame
These were practical changes for a vehicle frequently used at low speeds in mud, rocks, woods and other conditions where airflow through the radiator could be limited.
Improved Cooling and Service Access
The new forward-tilting hood was one of the most visible differences between the 2010 Teryx and earlier models. In addition to giving the vehicle a more aggressive appearance, the hood provided easier access to the radiator, coolant reserve tank and front suspension components.
Kawasaki increased the size of the radiator fan so it could move more air during slow trail riding and utility work. A larger-diameter coolant hose increased coolant flow, while moving the reserve tank beneath the hood made fluid-level checks more convenient.
Owners could also more easily inspect and clean the front shocks, suspension arms and radiator area after riding in mud or debris.
749cc Fuel-Injected V-Twin
The 2010 Kawasaki Teryx retained the liquid-cooled 749cc, 90-degree V-twin used in the previous model. Its single-overhead-cam cylinder heads used four valves per cylinder, while the 90-degree layout provided natural primary balance and helped limit vibration.
Digital fuel injection had been introduced on the 2009 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI. The system used two 34mm throttle bodies and automatically adjusted fuel delivery for changes in elevation, temperature and operating conditions. It also provided automatic idle control and choke-free starting.
The engine was mounted near the center of the chassis to help balance weight between the front and rear of the vehicle. Compared with the carbureted 2008 Kawasaki Teryx 750 4×4, fuel injection was a meaningful improvement for riders traveling between significantly different elevations or temperatures.
CVT, Four-Wheel Drive and Engine Braking
The Teryx used a continuously variable transmission with High, Low, Neutral and Reverse. Kawasaki Engine Brake Control helped manage vehicle speed on descents, while the selectable drivetrain allowed the driver to switch between two- and four-wheel drive.
A cockpit-operated Variable Front Differential Control lever allowed the driver to progressively increase front differential lock when additional traction was needed. The rear wheels remained locked together rather than using a selectable turf-style rear differential.
Kawasaki also equipped the Teryx with a CVT Belt Protection System. If the engine remained at high rpm while the rear wheels were not moving, the system could reduce engine output and illuminate a warning indicator to help limit belt damage.
Parking-Brake Protection
For 2010, Kawasaki added an ignition cutout designed to prevent the Teryx from being driven with the parking brake engaged. This helped protect the braking system from overheating or premature wear if the driver forgot to release the brake before applying the throttle.
The parking brake, CVT protection system and Kawasaki Engine Brake Control addressed three different concerns: preventing brake damage, reducing CVT belt abuse and adding speed control on descents.
Compact First-Generation Chassis
The first-generation Teryx measured 58.5 inches wide and rode on a short 76-inch wheelbase. That compact footprint helped it maneuver through narrow trails and provided a favorable breakover angle for crossing trail crests and uneven terrain.
Four-wheel independent suspension delivered 7.5 inches of travel at both ends. Preload-adjustable Kayaba gas-charged shocks were used front and rear, with piggyback reservoirs on the rear shocks. A rear stabilizer bar helped control body roll.
The 2010 Teryx had 11.6 inches of ground clearance and rode on 26-inch Maxxis tires mounted on 12-inch wheels. Dual hydraulic disc brakes handled braking at the front, while Kawasaki used a sealed, oil-bathed multi-disc rear brake.
Reinforced Tilting Cargo Bed
Although the original Teryx had a sport-oriented chassis, it also included a practical tilting cargo bed rated to carry 500 pounds. For 2010, Kawasaki reinforced the bed frame to increase rigidity and durability.
The bed measured approximately 44.2 inches wide, 32.7 inches long and 11.1 inches deep. It included four tie-down points and gas-assist struts that held it in the raised position. The Teryx was also rated to tow up to 1,300 pounds.
This combination of trail capability, cargo capacity and towing ability placed the original Teryx between the dedicated utility UTVs and increasingly specialized sport side-by-sides of the period.
2010 Teryx Special Graphics Editions
Kawasaki offered four Special Graphics Edition finishes through a custom-order program: Gloss Diamond Red, Gloss Diamond Blue, Gloss Diamond Black and Gloss Diamond Silver.
The finish used an immersion-applied diamond-plate pattern chemically bonded over a colored basecoat and covered with a high-gloss clear finish. It looked textured but remained smooth to the touch and easy to clean.
2010 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI Specifications
| Engine | Liquid-cooled, 90-degree four-stroke V-twin |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 749cc |
| Valve system | SOHC, four valves per cylinder |
| Bore x stroke | 85 x 66mm |
| Compression ratio | 8.8:1 |
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection with dual 34mm throttle bodies |
| Transmission | CVT with High, Low, Neutral and Reverse; Kawasaki Engine Brake Control |
| Drive system | Selectable 2WD/4WD with Variable Front Differential Control |
| Front suspension | Dual A-arm with gas-charged shocks; 7.5 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Independent rear suspension with reservoir shocks; 7.5 inches of travel |
| Front tires | Maxxis 26×8-12 |
| Rear tires | Maxxis 26×10-12 |
| Wheelbase | 76.0 inches |
| Overall dimensions | 116.4 inches long, 58.5 inches wide and 75.8 inches high |
| Ground clearance | 11.6 inches |
| Curb weight | 1,395 pounds |
| Fuel capacity | 7.4 gallons |
| Cargo-bed capacity | 500 pounds |
| Towing capacity | 1,300 pounds |
| Original base MSRP | $11,699 |
Where the 2010 Model Fits in Teryx History
The 2010 model represented the most developed version of Kawasaki’s original short-wheelbase Teryx at that point. The major performance change had arrived one year earlier with digital fuel injection, while the 2010 updates concentrated on cooling, maintenance access and durability.
Kawasaki later took the platform in a different direction. The four-seat Teryx4 expanded the family in 2012, while the redesigned two-seat model received a longer chassis, a 783cc engine, additional storage and a more adventure-oriented layout for 2014. Our 2014 Kawasaki Teryx review explains how those changes affected its ride and trail capability.
For the complete model timeline, see the evolution and history of the Kawasaki Teryx.
