A man bought a Kawasaki Ridge off-road UTV, but he has one major issue. He wants to drive it more than his regular truck at home, and would take it on the road if he could.

TikTok content creator Michael Schieffer (@themichaelschieffer) mentions in a video with over 6,700 views that his side-by-side drives significantly better than his truck.

“ If I were an 80-year-old man and had no reason to go to town, ever, I would only have one of these,” he said. 

But what’s stopping him from just driving the vehicle like a car? 

What Is a Kawasaki Ridge?

The Kawasaki Ridge is a side-by-side that’s considered a premium vehicle in the Rec-Ute market. Newer Kawasaki Ridges are often called “luxury” UTVs. They come with special amenities like group ride radios and “automotive-style” interiors, making them prized travelers for off-road excursions. 

For that reason, Kawasaki Ridge vehicles have generated a ton of attention and acclaim, especially for off-roading. Newer Kawasaki Ridge models are purported to be able to replace some consumer trucks or automobiles due to their functionality and amenities. 

In general, the UTV is incredibly popular. There are even Facebook Groups dedicated to it with titles like “Kawasaki Ridge addicts.” 

Newer Kawasaki Ridge vehicles can cost $23,999, which is about as much as a regular car. The price, according to many diehard fans, is well worth it for excursionists or those that need its incredibly powerful horsepower and maneuverability. 

Can a Kawasaki Ridge Truly Replace a Truck?

Newer Kawasaki Ridge models admittedly have some limitations in comparison to an average truck. That said, they can fulfill everyday requests with ease. 

The 2024 Kawasaki Ridge can apparently hold 1,000 pounds and has a 2,000 pound towing capacity, for instance. So, for everyday truck users who cannot see themselves hauling more than 1,000 pounds or towing more than 2,000, it could be a more flexible fit for their needs. 

Kawasaki Ridges also come with a few additional perks. For one, they’re fairly easy to repair and maintain. Plus, they’re often more affordable than an average truck and “over-deliver” in every area, according to some reviewers.

Can You Drive a Kawasaki Ridge on the Freeway?

While the Kawasaki Ridge is amazing for at-home use and large hauls, it does have some limitations. UTVs are usually classified as off-highway vehicles. Depending on the state and even local jurisdiction, a UTV like Kawasaki Ridge would need to meet certain requirements to ride in certain areas. This means that it generally can’t be used as a “primary vehicle,” depending on the location. 

There aren’t really any universal laws when it comes to UTV usage on roadways. For instance, a state like Idaho doesn’t require headlights and taillights for a vehicle to be street legal. Still, the state has limitations on UTVs. California doesn’t allow UTVs to be converted to be street legal, and does not allow UTVs on other public roads. 

Other states, in contrast, may allow UTV owners to convert their vehicles or register their vehicles for street riding. But, enough states have specific rules about UTVs that it would be extremely difficult to make it a “primary vehicle.” Even if a person were to live in a state with special UTV conversion exceptions, if they were to travel, they might end up getting pulled over. 

Commenters Sound Off

But, for Schieffer, the vehicle works just fine. A commenter mentioned on his post that he could have purchased a reliable Tacoma or other vehicle for Kawasaki Ridge prices. He replied, saying, “I thought of that, but the jeep or Tacoma I thought of still aren’t near as maneuverable off-road in the cattle pasture as these things. I thought about getting a used Jeep.”

So, he won’t be taking the Kawasaki Ridge on the freeway. Still, the vehicle will help him with his cattle pasture and seems to fulfill everything he needs from it. 

@themichaelschieffer

♬ original sound – Michael Schieffer

We’ve reached out to Schieffer via TikTok direct message for comment. We’ve also sent an email to Kawasaki for comment. We’ll let you know if either party responds.