Kawasaki chose Badlands Off-Road Park in Attica, Indiana, to introduce the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx, giving us an opportunity to test the recreation-utility UTV across sand, gravel, mud, wet rocks, creek crossings and tight wooded trails. Cold rain made the terrain considerably more challenging—and revealed just how versatile the original two-seat Teryx could be.
This was more than a tour of a new riding area. The varied terrain provided a useful first test of the 2010 Teryx’s fuel-injected V-twin, selectable four-wheel drive, compact chassis and revised cooling system.
A Cold and Wet Introduction at Badlands
I had heard of Badlands Off-Road Park before, but I had never traveled to Indiana to ride there. That changed when Kawasaki invited me to Badlands for the introduction of the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx.
At the time of our visit, the privately owned park covered approximately 800 acres near Attica. It offered a surprising variety of terrain, including sand, pea-gravel hills, deep mud, tight off-camber woods trails, rock-crawling obstacles, steep drop-offs, water holes and creek crossings.
We arrived on a cold, wet morning in the middle of October. Temperatures were around 40 degrees, and riding in the rain was not particularly appealing. I had also looked at the park’s website before the trip and wasn’t convinced that the riding would be especially exciting.
I was in for an eye-opener.
Testing the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx
I teamed up with longtime ATV racer Nick Nelson in one 2010 Kawasaki Teryx. Thad Josey of ATV Rider and Brad Howe from Dirt Wheels followed in another Teryx.
Nick has never been known for taking it easy, so it was immediately game on.
The marked loop was approximately six miles long. It began in the park’s sand and gravel before entering the woods, where the trail became considerably more interesting. The tight, one-way route twisted left and right, climbed and dropped through the trees, crossed several creeks and eventually returned to the open terrain.
I mounted the video camera facing backward so we could capture the Teryx following us through the wet and increasingly slippery course.
V-Twin Power and Trail Handling
The 2010 Kawasaki Teryx proved particularly well suited to the variety of terrain at Badlands. Its fuel-injected 749cc V-twin produced smooth, usable power in the sand and on loose gravel without making the vehicle difficult to control in the tight woods.
The Teryx was also compact and nimble enough to work through the tree-lined sections of the course. Its 58.5-inch width would seem narrow compared with many modern recreational UTVs, but it gave the early Teryx an advantage on tight trails.
Independent suspension and approximately 11.6 inches of ground clearance helped it negotiate uneven ground and smaller rock obstacles. The Teryx was not a dedicated rock crawler or high-speed sport machine, but it could comfortably handle a little of each.
That versatility was the Teryx’s greatest strength. It had enough performance for dunes and recreational trail riding while retaining the cargo bed, towing capacity and practical design needed for camping, hunting and work.
Traction in Wet Conditions
The cold rain made rocks, sand and wooded trails slippery throughout the day. Those conditions gave us a better opportunity to evaluate the Teryx’s traction than a dry press ride would have provided.
The driver could select two- or four-wheel drive from the dashboard. Kawasaki’s Variable Front Differential Control allowed the driver to progressively increase front differential lock when more traction was required.
Combined with the permanently locked rear differential, the system gave the Teryx useful traction through mud, wet creek crossings and loose climbs. It required more driver input than a simple push-button front locker, but it let the driver determine how much front differential lock was appropriate for the terrain.
What Changed for the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx?
The original Teryx debuted for the 2008 model year. Kawasaki added digital fuel injection and introduced the Sport model for 2009. For 2010, the company concentrated on cooling, maintenance access and durability rather than completely redesigning the vehicle.
The most visible change was the new hinged, forward-tilting hood. The hood and front bodywork opened to provide much easier access to the radiator and front suspension components.
I wasn’t immediately sold on the appearance of the redesigned front end, but I definitely appreciated the improved access. A small storage compartment beneath the hood would have made the design even more useful.
- A hinged, forward-tilting hood with improved radiator and suspension access
- New inset headlights and revised front-end styling
- A larger radiator fan for improved cooling at low speeds
- A larger-diameter coolant hose for increased coolant flow and capacity
- A coolant reserve tank relocated beneath the front hood
- An ignition cutout designed to prevent driving with the parking brake engaged
- A reinforced tilting cargo-bed frame for improved rigidity and durability
For specifications, model variations and a closer examination of these changes, see our complete 2010 Kawasaki Teryx overview.
2010 Kawasaki Teryx Review Verdict
I rode in several Teryx vehicles with different drivers during the day, and the machine was entertaining every time. The changing terrain gave the test more depth, while the rain added another level of difficulty with wet rocks, wet sand, mud and cold hands.
The 2010 Teryx was at its best as an all-around recreation-utility UTV. Its V-twin delivered smooth, useful power, the relatively compact chassis worked well in the trees and the four-wheel-drive system provided traction when conditions deteriorated. It could play in the sand, explore wooded trails, negotiate moderate rocks and still carry equipment in its cargo bed.
The limited suspension travel and utility-oriented seating kept it from behaving like a modern pure-sport UTV, but that was not its purpose. The Teryx’s appeal was its ability to move between recreation and practical work without feeling completely out of place in either role.
Kawasaki’s choice of Badlands Off-Road Park proved ideal for demonstrating that versatility. What initially looked like it might be a cold and uneventful press ride turned into one of the better locations for evaluating the many sides of the 2010 Teryx.
For another perspective, read Doug Siddens’ 2010 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI Sport review, based on testing in the American Southwest. You can also explore the complete history and evolution of the Kawasaki Teryx.
2010 Kawasaki Teryx Badlands Video
Watch the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx tackle the wet, varied terrain at Badlands Off-Road Park:
2010 Kawasaki Teryx at Badlands: Photo Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx use?
The 2010 Teryx uses a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 749cc 90-degree V-twin. Kawasaki introduced digital fuel injection to the Teryx lineup for the 2009 model year.
What was new on the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx?
The primary changes included a forward-tilting hood, larger radiator fan, increased coolant flow, relocated coolant reserve tank, parking-brake ignition cutout and reinforced cargo-bed frame.
How did the 2010 Teryx perform at Badlands?
Its smooth V-twin power, compact dimensions and selectable four-wheel drive made it well suited to Badlands’ combination of sand, gravel, mud, creek crossings, wet rocks and tight wooded trails.
Is this the same as UTV Guide’s 2010 Teryx Sport review?
No. This article covers Jon Crowley’s firsthand drive during Kawasaki’s press introduction at Badlands Off-Road Park. The separate 2010 Teryx Sport review was written by Doug Siddens after testing in the American Southwest.
Learn more about the riding area at the Badlands Off-Road Park website.
