Kawasaki Teryx Roll Cages

Posted on November 17, 2013

Kawasaki Teryx Roll Cages, Side Panels & Doors

The roll cage on a Kawasaki Teryx is a factory-installed ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure) designed to provide basic occupant protection. It features a two-inch diameter steel tube construction with a simple, four-post design that extends over the driver and passenger compartments. The factory cage includes integrated mounting points for accessories like roofs, windshields, and light bars, but it lacks additional reinforcement seen in modern sport UTVs. Unlike later models with more advanced safety features, the 2008 Teryx cage is relatively basic, making aftermarket reinforcement or full replacement a popular upgrade for those who engage in aggressive off-road riding. Many aftermarket manufacturers offer gusseted, DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) steel tube cages with additional bracing for improved rollover protection and increased rigidity.

The Kawasaki Teryx has a roll cage that looks pretty similar to a Yamaha Rhino. Separate headrests are located on angled bars behind occupant’s heads. Seat belts are mounted on the vertical outside part of the cage. The Teryx cage is removable in about the same locations as a Rhino. The Teryx does have one additional passenger grab bar on the ceiling

It is interesting that Kawasaki chose to not come from the factory with more to keep the driver and passenger in the vehicle. Although the Teryx does have a molded plastic area near your feet to help keep them in the vehicle, I would have thought that Kawasaki would have gone farther.

Four Seat Kawasaki Teryx Roll Cage from SDR Motorsports

The Teryx fuel fill is directly below the passenger seat instead of behind it like on the Rhino. This will make it a bit more difficult for aftermarket manufacturers to build a side door.

What to look for:

Material selection – Chromoly, mild steel or aluminum and what wall thickness. Each material & thickness has pros and cons – cost, strength, weight, etc. Make sure you ask questions.
Cage Design – Gussets and triangulation increase the strength without adding much more weight.
Removeable? – Most aftermarket cages are bolt-on. Besides mounting to stock lower bars, does the cage add any mounting locations? A custom made cage that is bolted or welded to the frame is stronger than one that bolts to the factory cage location, but cost will increase and you won’t be able to get the cage off as easily or at all.
Restraint Mounts – Make sure the cage includes a bar behind the front seats for attaching shoulder harnesses. Shoulder harnesses should be attached slightly below your shoulder level. If the cage does not allow for this, find another cage. Restraints should be as short as possible, and mounting them down on the floor seriously affects their effectiveness.
Head Clearance – Make sure that all parts of the cage are sufficiently away from all passenger heads.