Editor’s note: This guide documents long-travel suspension kits developed for the original Kawasaki Teryx platform. Most were introduced between 2008 and the early 2010s, and many are now discontinued. The specifications reflect how the kits were originally offered. Confirm availability, model-year compatibility and replacement-parts support before purchasing a used or new-old-stock system.
The first-generation Kawasaki Teryx arrived with four-wheel independent suspension, a relatively narrow frame and a stout chassis. Those characteristics gave suspension builders room to install substantially longer A-arms, wider axles and longer shocks.
Depending on the system, a long-travel conversion could add 3 to 6 inches of width per side and increase wheel travel from approximately 7.5 inches to 11–16 inches or more. Some kits also moved the front wheels forward or the rear wheels backward to lengthen the wheelbase.
The result was considerably more stability and bump absorption than the stock Teryx could provide. These conversions became especially popular for desert riding, dunes and early UTV racing.
Original Kawasaki Teryx Suspension Specifications
- Front suspension: Dual A-arm with approximately 7.5 inches of travel
- Rear suspension: Independent rear suspension with approximately 7.3 inches of travel
- Overall length: Approximately 115.7 inches
- Overall width: Approximately 58.3 inches
- Overall height: Approximately 75.4 inches
- Wheelbase: Approximately 75.8 inches
- Ground clearance: Approximately 11.2 inches
What a Teryx Long-Travel Kit Changes
A complete long-travel system does more than move the wheels outward. The arms, axles, steering components and shocks must work together while maintaining usable CV-joint angles, steering geometry and suspension alignment.
Many of the original kits increased both track width and wheel travel. Some also stretched the wheelbase by moving the front wheels forward, the rear wheels backward or both. A Teryx fitted with a plus-6-inch-per-side kit could approach 70 inches wide, which was extremely wide for a UTV of this era.
Offset wheels or wheel spacers can increase track width, but they do not create additional suspension travel or reproduce the geometry of a properly engineered long-travel system. They also increase leverage on wheel bearings, steering components and suspension hardware.
What Should a Teryx Long-Travel Kit Include?
Suspension Arms
Longer front and rear arms establish the new track width and suspension geometry. Original kits used chromoly tubing, boxed plate, billet aluminum or mild steel. Construction quality, joint placement and geometry matter more than material alone.
Check whether a used kit includes every arm, cross tube, mounting bracket and spacer. Missing proprietary hardware can be difficult or impossible to replace when the original manufacturer no longer supports the system.
Bushings, Heim Joints and Uniballs
Different kits used bushings, spherical bearings, heim joints, uniballs or retained factory ball joints. Each design has different maintenance, contamination resistance and replacement requirements.
Before buying an older kit, identify every wear component and make sure replacements are still available. An inexpensive used suspension kit can become unusable if it depends on discontinued joints or proprietary sleeves.
Axles and CV Joints
Longer arms require longer axle shafts. Some early kits reused the factory CV joints with replacement shafts, while others included complete axle and CV assemblies.
Inspect used axles for twisted splines, damaged boots, clicking CV joints and wear caused by excessive operating angles. Confirm that the axle combination matches the exact differential, hub and model year of the Teryx.
Tie Rods and Steering
Some systems used tie-rod extensions, while others included complete longer tie rods. Verify steering travel through the full suspension cycle and check for bump steer, binding and contact between the tie rods, wheels and suspension arms.
Shocks and Mounting Locations
Shock selection is one of the largest factors in ride quality and total cost. Spring rates, valving, installed length and mounting position must match the suspension’s motion ratio and intended use.
Some kits retained stock-length shocks. More aggressive systems used longer shocks and relocated upper mounts through bolt-on or weld-on towers. Do not substitute shocks solely because their extended length appears correct.
Spindles, Hubs and Wheel Bearings
Most kits retained the factory spindles, although some companies offered reinforced replacements. Added track width, larger tires and harder driving increase loads on hubs, wheel bearings and steering components.
Frame Reinforcement
Longer arms place additional leverage on the factory suspension mounts. Some manufacturers developed bolt-on or weld-in gussets for high-speed desert use, jumping and racing.
Inspect the chassis around every suspension pickup point before installing a used kit. Cracks, elongated mounting holes or previous repairs should be corrected before the suspension is assembled.
First-Generation Kawasaki Teryx Long-Travel Kit Comparison
The following systems are presented as a historical reference. Measurements and components reflect the information supplied when the kits were originally marketed. Current availability has not been assumed.
Cognito Motorsports
Width: Plus 5 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 1 inch rearward
Wheel travel: 14 inches
Shocks: FOX
Axles: Summers Brothers
CST Performance Suspension
Width: Plus 3 inches per side
Wheelbase: No change
Wheel travel: 12 inches
Shocks: Stock-length shocks
Custom Creations
Width: Plus 6 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 1.25 inches front and rear
Shocks: Sway-A-Way air shocks or coilover shocks
Axles: Summers Brothers
DragonFire Racing
Width: Plus 6 inches per side
Fabtech Motorsports
Width: Plus 5 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 2 inches forward and 2 inches rearward
Wheel travel: 13 inches
Shocks: Fabtech Dirt Logic 2.0
Fireball Racing
Width: Plus 6 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 1.5 inches rearward
Shocks: Elka or Bilstein
FST Motorsports
Width: Plus 6 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 2 inches forward and 2 inches rearward
Wheel travel: 14 inches
Shocks: King or Elka
Funco Motorsports
Original status: Available when documented
Width: Plus 4 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 1 inch rearward
Wheel travel: 14 inches
Shocks: Sway-A-Way or King
HCR Racing
Width: Plus 6 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 1 inch forward and 1 inch rearward
Wheel travel: 15 inches
Shocks: King
HRT Motorsports
Width: Plus 5 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 2 inches rearward
Wheel travel: 14 inches
Shocks: FOX
iShock/Hydrodynamics
Width: Plus 5 inches per side
Shocks: iShock
Lonestar Racing
Original status: Available when documented
Plus-3-inch kit:
Wheelbase: Plus 1 inch rearward
Wheel travel: 11.5 inches
Shocks: Stock length
Plus-5-inch kit:
Wheelbase: Plus 1 inch rearward
Wheel travel: 14.2 inches
Shocks: Elka or FOX
Long Travel Industries
Width: Plus 5 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 1.5 inches
Wheel travel: 14.5 inches
Shocks: King
Additional components: 7/8-inch upper and lower uniballs and 300M axles
Magnum Offroad
Width: Plus 6 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 2 inches forward
Shocks: FOX
SDR Motorsports
Original status: In development when documented
Width: Plus 6 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 2 inches rearward
Wheel travel: 16 inches
Shocks: FOX
Axles: Summers Brothers
Shaw’z Metal Fabrication
Width: Plus 6 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 2 inches forward and 2 inches rearward
Wheel travel: 16.5 inches front and 14.5 inches rear
Shocks: FOX
Additional components: Relocation bracket for the front upper shock mount
Xtreme Machine & Fabrication (XMF)
Original status: Available when documented
Width: Plus 5 inches per side
Wheelbase: Plus 1.25 inches rearward
Wheel travel: 15.5 inches
Shocks: Walker Evans Racing
Related Kawasaki Teryx Resources
- Kawasaki Teryx Long-Travel Suspension Review
- Kawasaki Teryx Race Build
- Kawasaki UTV News, Reviews and Builds
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide is a long-travel Kawasaki Teryx?
Width depends on the kit. Original systems generally added 3 to 6 inches per side, potentially increasing the early Teryx from approximately 58 inches wide to between 64 and 70 inches.
Can factory shocks be used with a long-travel kit?
Only if the suspension was specifically designed around stock-length shocks. Many systems require longer shocks, different spring rates, custom valving or relocated upper mounts.
Can wheel spacers replace a long-travel suspension kit?
No. Wheel spacers increase track width but do not add wheel travel or change the suspension geometry. They can also increase loads on wheel bearings, hubs and steering components.
Will an original Teryx long-travel kit fit a Teryx4 or Teryx KRX 1000?
No fitment should be assumed. The original Teryx, later Teryx and Teryx4 models, Teryx KRX 1000 and supercharged Teryx H2 platforms use different chassis and suspension designs.
What should be inspected when buying a used kit?
Inspect the arms for cracks or bends, check the axles and CV joints, identify every bushing or spherical bearing, verify that all brackets and spacers are present, and confirm that replacement wear parts remain available.
