2010 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i Review

Rick Sosebee
by Rick Sosebee
Kawi's V-Twin powered Brute never fails to impress

Gazing into the future of our sport there are a few things I know will change, but one thing is for certain and that is that Kawasaki will fight for every inch of real estate in this industry with great products. One such product is the line of Brute Force sport utility 4×4 ATVs.

Having had the privilege of riding many of the utility models of Kawasaki’s 2010 line, the Brute Force is one of my personal favorites. The 2010 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i with independent rear suspension is solid performer and with power of the V-Twin the ride is explosive. Let’s not forget it is also a fuel-injected, fire breathing ground pounder.

The classic style of the Brute is basically the same for 2010, though the graphics have changed just a bit. Regardless, this is still a great machine and it deserves another look.

Starting with the ergonomics of the Brute Force 750 we found the same comfortable seating we had grown accustomed to and control placement is still within reach for most every rider’s needs. Riding or just sitting in the camp I found that the Brute’s urethane foam seat was extremely comfortable. Riding this machine for hours isn’t out of the question with comfort like this, while full coverage floorboards ride keep you protected from trail obstacles. Utilizing aluminum pegs, which are replaceable, on the larger displacement Brute Force helps save weight.

2010 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i

2010 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i

The control center is made up of a digital dash and some exclusive controls. The first item is the small yellow lever on the rider’s left grip that controls the amount of drive that is put to the front wheels. Kawasaki calls this its “Variable Front Differential control.” This lever actuator is input sensitive and allows you to control how much power is put to the front wheels in the tough situations by simply pulling back on the lever. This works great when you are plunging into deep mud!

The Brute Force is more than enough ATV to challenge just about any rider.

The Brute Force is more than enough ATV to challenge just about any rider.

The digital dash on the Brute Force 750i has many key features that not only lets you know the amount of fuel you’ve got left, but also other elements such as trip meters, speedometer and odometer. Monitoring the amount of hours on the machine’s engine is also included in the digital dash, as well as a clock so you can see when it’s time to head back to camp. These items are important and help keep the rider informed.

Having recently ridden the Brute Force in such varying conditions at the Badlands Off Road Park in Indiana I realized how much I appreciate the independent rear suspension. IRS adds an additional comfort level that makes riding more enjoyable. With a front travel of 6.7 inches and rear travel jumping to 7.9 inches I couldn’t resist the temptation to open this wild ride up and tackle most obstacles in the trail. Challenging myself is made easy at high speeds with dual arm independent suspension like this. The A-arms are also mounted with a combination of needle bearings and ball joints to keep everything swinging smooth.

Front and rear shocks also proved effective in keeping my ride under control. The preload adjustability and dual rate springs mounted on gas charged cartridges help cushion the blows at any speed. The caster angle on the front gives a bit of a light feel to the steering and to some this could be a negative but adding a simple steering stabilizer will smooth out the feel for the discriminating rider.

Despite its big-bore weight, the Brute Force is easy to handle on flat trails.

Despite its big-bore weight, the Brute Force is easy to handle on flat trails.

Achieving high speeds certainly isn’t a problem with the Brute Force 750 4x4i, but weighing on your mind might be ”How well does it stop?” Have no fear, as the Brute is equipped with dual front disc brakes that are built with dual pistons in the calipers. The most ingenious find on the rear of this Brute Force is the “SEALED” rear braking system. Yes you did read it correctly, the rear brakes are sealed in an oil-bathed case with the rear differential. This is just another advancement in the industry that Kawasaki has added to its arsenal. This means that even if the front brakes get wet and slip a bit the rear brakes will always be functional. They cannot get wet and slip like conventional brakes are occasionally inclined to do.

Electronically controlled engine braking is also in place to help add that extra security to the steep descents and manage the machine as it slows to a crawl. The best thing about this Kawasaki Engine Braking Control is that it is not overwhelming when you drop the throttle. It’s smooth and very controlled.

So moving into the powerplant of the Brute Force 750 I found the same reliable Kawasaki V-Twin fuel injected engine as it was introduced last year. Twin 36mm throttle bodies work together to deliver air to this propulsion unit. The 32-bit computer monitors these mechanical servants and with readings from coolant and air intake temps along with throttle position, vehicle speed, intake pressure and the crankshaft angle the intense job of getting the correct air/fuel mixture is achieved to perfection.

The throttle is very responsive and power is not lacking on this machine. Speaking of the throttle, Kawasaki incorporates ball bearing action with a low spring rate in the thumb throttle to keep the action and fatigue to a minimum. Putting this power to the ground is a job handled by the fully automatic power-drive system. Affectionately known as the KAPS system by Kawasaki, this CVT style drive unit uses high and low forward gears plus reverse. The Brute Force can be started in any gear as long as any brake is applied.

The urethane foam seat is plenty comfortable for a long day of riding.

The urethane foam seat is plenty comfortable for a long day of riding.

Kawasaki engineers are always thinking of ways to reduce wear and stress on their equipment. The use of Cardan joints on the output drive shafts proves this even more. The Cardan-style joint helps reduce stress by absorbing fluctuations in torque and also helps reduce vibrations. Many simple yet notable items also help set the Brute Force apart, including the four-bulb 40-watt headlights, and a standard equipment trailer hitch that can handle 1,250 pounds of cargo. The front and rear racks can also carry their weight with 88 pounds on the front and 176 on the rear. So if you’ve got work to do, don’t be afraid as this quad is no slouch in the field!

Riding the Kawasaki Brute force 750 4x4i is always fun. In the Badlands of Attica, Indiana we came across quite a wide variety of terrain to tackle. The Brute handles the sandy, pebble-style dune area well but it didn’t really feel at home there. It really performed well in tight wooded areas of the Badlands as well as crawling over the many moon rock patches that litter some areas.

This machine is very stable and has a confidence-inspiring feel that makes you want to challenge yourself to new levels. Power is always spot on and just waiting to burst into a sprint at any moment. Riding this machine through deep creeks and earth swallowing mud wasn’t easy, but the Brute Force 750 pulled through every time. And for the majority of our ride the full floorboards kept me dry and somewhat clean.

Rock crawling is just one area where the Brute Force 750 shines.

Rock crawling is just one area where the Brute Force 750 shines.

Overall the Brute Force 750 is an awesome package with great looks that many riders love. From the comfort level to the powerful V-Twin and everything in between I say it’s a must ride. Test one out and you’ll know what I’m talking about!

Comparable vehicles: Polaris Sportsman XP 850, Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI Auto 4×4, Suzuki KingQuad 750 AXi 4×4, Arctic Cat 700 H1 EFI 4×4, Can-Am Outlander 800R EFI 4×4

Related Reading


2008 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 Review


2009 Kawasaki Brute Force 650 4x4i Review


2009 Kawasaki Prairie 360 4×4 Review


2010 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Review


All Things Kawasaki on ATV.com

2010 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i Specs
Engine:Liquid-cooled, 90-degree, four-stroke V-Twin
Displacement:749cc
Starting system:Electric
Bore x stroke:85 x 66mm
Compression Ratio:8.8:1
Fuel injection system:DFI; (2) 36mm Mikuni throttle bodies
Ignition:TCBI with digital advance
Transmission:Continuously variable belt-drive transmission with high and low range, plus reverse, and Kawasaki Engine Brake Control
Final drive:Selectable four-wheel drive with Variable Front Differential Control, Shaft
Frame:Double-cradle, high-tensile tubular steel
Front suspension / wheel travel:Dual A-arm / 6.7 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel:Fully Independent, dual A-arm / 7.9 in.
Front tires:AT25x8-12
Rear Tires:AT25x10-12
Front brakes:Dual hydraulic 200mm discs with 2-piston calipers
Rear brake:Sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc
Length / Width / Height:86.4 in / 45.9 in / 48.5 in
Seat height:35.6 in
Wheelbase:50.6 in
Ground Clearance:9.7 in
Lighting:(4) 40W headlights, 5W taillight, 21W stoplight
Rack Capacity (front / rear):88 / 176 lbs.
Towing Capacity:1,250 lbs
Curb weight:652.7 lbs
Fuel capacity:5.0 gal
Instruments:Speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, clock, hour meter, fuel Gauge, 2×4/4×4 indicator, neutral indicator, reverse indicator, low Fuel warning light, low oil warning light
Colors:Woodsman Green, Metallic Nocturne Blue, Super Black and Dark Royal Red
MSRP:$8,699 – $9,049
Rick Sosebee
Rick Sosebee

Whether he is in Mexico covering the Baja 1000, building ATVs for local racers, or out enjoying the trails, Rick’s passion shows in his stories. Learning to wrench his own machines from his grandfather, Rick also has an undying appreciation for the mechanics of off-road vehicles. Do not let the dirt and mud fool you, though, as Rick also has a deep love for street cars.

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