2005 Kawasaki Brute Force
| 2005 Kawasak Brute Force 750 V-Twin, The |
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and still are the leading producer of a V-twin ATV engine. Motorcycle enthusiasts have long enjoyed the powerful rumble of V-twin power-plants and with good reason; nothing produces more usable power than multi-cylinders working in conjunction at opposite angles. When Kawasaki engineers designed the 650 V-twin, they used foresight and designed the basic engine block with room for expansion. They knew the engine was a winner and also knew the ATV public would soon want more from the Kawasaki V-twin. Then in early 2004, Kawasaki upped the V-twin engine’s displacement to a 700cc model, this same engine not only found its way into the Prairie but it also became the basis for Kawasaki’s sport machine, the V-Force 700cc. Now as an early release 2005 model the new Brute Force emerges, powered by 750cc V-twin engine. This is a complete new model with an aggressive new attitude, highlighting powerful engine response. Kawasaki picked the lush mountains of North Carolina for the introduction of their new 2005 Brute Force. We stayed and tested on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, which is located in Asheville North Carolina. The Biltmore 
Estate provided an exclusive package, with out leaving the grounds we were provided with all accommodations. Luxurious rooms, great outdoor eating locations and the 8,700 acre estate provided us with plenty of open fields and mountain wooded trails for our first ride evaluation of the Brute Force. The Brute Force starts out with the same basic engine, variable front differential lock, and a similar rear wet-brake system in the rear gear box. Only now Kawasaki has increased the engines size and performance level. The new 750 power-plant has a redesigned head with better air flow and larger carburetors. So basically there are only a few similarities. The new Brute Force has been designed with a totally new frame, suspension and look. Ok, lets get technical, The Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4I is powered by a liquid cooled 90-degree, four-stroke V-twin Single over head cam engine which displaces 749ccs. For now the largest engine size in its class. Kawasaki engineers have
redesigned the air intake ports on the engines cylinder heads providing a smoother more efficient airflow. They have also increased the size of the dual carburetors, up from 32mm to 34mm Keihin carburetors and Kawasaki now uses a single cable to operate both carburetors for a more synchronized operation. Air intakes for the engine and transmission are routed high and reversed for less chance of water or dirt entry. The air box lid is now part of bodywork which provides easy access for maintenance. This V-twin engine design has provided excellent power and durability in past years so keeping with the same concept only made sense to Kawasaki engineers. The automatic transmission is another feature that has worked well in past models. Kawasaki continues to use their CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission for a smooth power 
transfer. The Brute Force rider has the options of high or low range with reverse and with the flick of a thumb can go from two wheel drive to four wheel drive in a few seconds and if locking in the limited-slip front differential is not enough to get you through the deep stuff, Kawasaki continues to provide their handle bar lever which engages the Variable Front Differential Control. Pulling in the lever will load the torque to both front wheels producing a positive traction front differential. Kawasaki engineers knew that the machine had plenty of power and traction and decided to beef-up the drive-shafts in-order to reduce vibration and increase durability. When Kawasaki decided to produce this model they started with a complete new Double-cradle tubular frame and then built off the frame a new first ever for Kawasaki fully independent suspension. The independent suspension consists of shock over double A-arm front suspension with 6.7 inches of travel and an all new independent rear double A-arm suspension with sway-bar, offering 7.9 inches of travel rear. The
new Brute Force 750 4x4I is supplied with 10.6 inches of ground clearance and provides its best performance at low to medium speeds. Somehow, Kawasaki kept the weight of the unit down to a respective 604 pounds. Not bad for an ATV that can tow 1,250 pounds and haul 264 pounds on its racks. The Brute Force is a fast powerful machine with a top speed of 66mph, so braking is important. The unit uses dual front disc brakes with two-piston calipers up front and Kawasaki’s own rear gear box integrated with a sealed multi-disc, oil-bathed, wet-brake system.
The rider position is more up front with higher handle bars providing a comfortable seating position and large floor-boards. This unit is made with comfort in mind especially if you’re a large rider. Instrumentation was adequate with a large digital display and better than standard lighting is provided with the industry’s first four bulb headlights. Kawasaki’s new flagship model has had special attention to styling and improved bodywork, with new high-gloss thermo-plastic scratch resistant plastic body-work. Available in Aztec Red, hunter Green, Desert yellow and RealTree HardWoods Green HD camouflage.
Rider Impressions:
Our first ride test of the Brute Force left us wanting more seat time, the machine produces great amounts of powerful 
acceleration. The question is how much power can the rider actually use? The faster an ATV can go the better it needs to handle, remember this is not a very wide ATV. Measuring in at just 46.3 inches wide and then add 10.6 inches of ground clearance, the unit becomes high and ultimately unbalanced. I feel the overall height could be better negotiated with a wider stance, maybe a set of ITP All-Terrain-Radials would help. They are a wide profile tire and may help with some of the handling issues. Let’s just say the unit handled differently for each rider but most test riders agreed that the handling, especially on high speed corners and off-cambers would take some getting used to. The first time I came into a corner at about 35 to 40 mph, I had a hard time negotiating the turn. Seems the IRS would plant the
rear tires so well that sliding around the corner became difficult. The IRS worked well on level uneven trails, keeping the individual wheels on the trail and supplying plenty of traction but when it came to off-cambers the machine had a tendency to dive and momentum was needed to keep the unit on the trail. Like I said, I think the new Brute Force will just take more seat time so a rider can become better acquainted with the handling characteristics and feel comfortable at high speeds. There was one last negative point that stuck in my mind, the transmission did not respond well after locking the rear wheels in a braking 
effort. The transmission actually was slow to respond after hitting the brakes very hard and the rider needed to give the unit a bit of throttle to instantly bring the rear wheels out of the skid. Just a small problem that again I could easily become used to, I guess we have to remember this is a Sport Utility ATV. Kawasaki produced the Brute Force 750 4x4I to be sporty, targeting the adventure enthusiasts and sportsman, hoping to give off-road enthusiasts the exhilarating power and performance they crave.
MSRP: ,599