By Jon Crowley
We’ve had our 2021 Kawasaki KRX 1000 eS for about a year and a half now, and with it being based right next to Sand Hollow, I decided to step it up a notch. For stage 2, we partnered with SuperATV and Assault Industries and did something I never thought I’d do – portals!
Stage 2 Upgrades
- SuperATV 4-inch Dual-Idler GDP Portals
- SuperATV High Clearance Trailing Arms
- SuperATV Billet High-Clearance Radius Rods
- SuperATV Rhino 2.0 Axles
- Assault Industries Hellfire Innerlock Wheels
- Assault Industries/Baja Designs Nighthawk LED Side Mirrors
- Union Graphics Wrap
- 35-inch Maxxis Roxxzilla Tires
New Assault Industries wrap from Union Graphics
With the parts all installed by my friends over at UTV Pros in Hurricane, Utah, I headed to the Moab RedRok Rally to see how it would perform. First off, the KRX is my favorite out-of-the-box rock crawler. You can fit 35-inch tires with stock suspension, it has a good low-range for technical crawling and the suspension and wheel travel is solid.
Our Kawasaki KRX on Cliff Hanger
Most people choose portals to increase tire size, but I felt the 35-inch tires we already a good size for Moab and Sand Hollow and bumping up to anything larger is just putting additional stress on the drivetrain. With the 4-inch GDP Portals, I gained ground clearance, added width (more stability in the rocks) and dropped the gear ratio by 15% to make up for the difference from stock tires to 35-inch tires. While the 4-inch portals give you 4-inches of actual lift, I negated some of that by adjusting my ride height down a bit. Overall, I probably gained 2.5 inches to the skid plate, but also moved up the suspension and axles.
Day one we hit one of my favorite Moab trails – Cliff Hanger. This trail has gotten a bit tougher in the last several years and my new and improved KRX handled everything like a champ. Don’t think I ever hit my skid plate, the additional width made it more stable and the lower gear ratio was perfect.
Day 2 we did a modified version of the Moab Trifecta – Poison Spider to Golden Spike to Gold Bar Rim, but we added Where Eagle’s Dare. Once again my KRX performed as I expected.
After three days in Moab, I went back to Hurricane and played at Sand Hollow with SuperATV, HCR and Assault Industries. We did lots of fast trail riding and some crawling and my KRX was perfect!
Next up, I am heading to do the Rubicon Trail during UTV Con’Quest. I have not driven the KRX on this trail I am really looking forward to seeing how it will do.
Stage 1 Specifications
- 35-inch HighLifter Roctane STX tires
- MetalFX beadlock wheels
- JBS Performance clutch mods
- SuperATV Steering Rack
- Factory UTV UHMW skid plate
- Shock Therapy dual-rate spring kit, Ride-Improvement System plus Tie Rods
- Switch Works Alpha 12 digital smart switcher
- Assault Industries mirrors, steering wheel, shifter, grill and bed storage box
- Rugged Radios intercom, radio and helmet air
- PRP Seats – Seats and Harnesses
- RLB LED whips and chase lights
- SSV Works audio system
- Alpine Designs front bumper and auxiliary fuel tank
- Baja Designs LED lights
- Infinite Offroad rock lights
