Jerking upon acceleration.

[htbud11]

I notice that when I put my ridge into gear and accelerate it feels like it is not in gear at first and then jerks as if it is out of gear and then goes into gear upon acceleration. Is this just the nature of the cvt transmission? I am used to my honda big red that feels like it is in gear from the moment you accelerate.

 

[Brittboy]

Heck NO........mine was God awful when I first got it, and I Installed an Aftermarket Assassin Clutch kit, using the max number of weights the arm would hold, and now it is smooth as silk on takeoff. Now, it has reduced my top end, but I teach sporting clays and plow my driveway with the machine, so top end is not an issue at all. It goes plenty fast as it is, now I wish someone would fix all the other issues with the machine. I hope you are having better luck with yours than I am

 

[bigal]

I notice that when I put my ridge into gear and accelerate it feels like it is not in gear at first and then jerks as if it is out of gear and then goes into gear upon acceleration. Is this just the nature of the cvt transmission? I am used to my honda big red that feels like it is in gear from the moment you accelerate.

mine with 30 miles is terrible at jerking, called factory and they said kawasaki had a fix that had just came out in september, so i took back to dealer and whatever the fix was, DID'N help, need sumthing else done

 

[bigal]

Heck NO........mine was God awful when I first got it, and I Installed an Aftermarket Assassin Clutch kit, using the max number of weights the arm would hold, and now it is smooth as silk on takeoff. Now, it has reduced my top end, but I teach sporting clays and plow my driveway with the machine, so top end is not an issue at all. It goes plenty fast as it is, now I wish someone would fix all the other issues with the machine. I hope you are having better luck with yours than I am

did that have ANY effect on your warranty? any idea

 

[Brittboy]

did that have ANY effect on your warranty? any idea

nope.....none at all

 

[Brittboy]

mine with 30 miles is terrible at jerking, called factory and they said kawasaki had a fix that had just came out in september, so i took back to dealer and whatever the fix was, DID'N help, need sumthing else done

The fix was the remaping of the ecu......that will do NOTHING. Get a clutch kit from Aftermarket Assissins

 

[KRXkilla]

Hey, I’m new to the forum but wanted to give my input since really put my ridge through the paces on some tough trails and have had to improve clutch issues. Im not sure how many miles you have on your ridge but the clutches get dirty and have to be cleaned from time to time. You might be experiencing the primary clutch just being dirty causing it to stick until the higher rpm centripetal force takes over forcing the clutch shut and grabbing the belt causing a jerky start.

If the belt engages fine at lower rpm but jerks while moving it maybe the inadequate clutch design from the factory. The majority of that problem is the primary clutch doesn’t have a bearing for the belt to ride on. So the belt drags on the primary clutch in neutral, this will turn the secondary clutch causing difficult gear engagement (not the problem your having I know). As you use your ridge the belt will stretch and wear causing the belt to loosen. This will add slack in the belt so when the primary clutch engages it will pull the slack out of the belt and slip (causing the jerky start) until the shives close enough to get the belt tight. You can combat the loose belt deflection by removing secondary clutch shims but that might be more involved than some people want to do and it’s a fine line between to tight and to loose.

Steve at Cornell Customs can help with this issue. I hit black trails regularly with my ridge and also use it around the farm. With proper maintenance and Steve Cornell’s help you can pretty much eliminate those issues, give him a ring.

 

[bigal]

Hey, I’m new to the forum but wanted to give my input since really put my ridge through the paces on some tough trails and have had to improve clutch issues. Im not sure how many miles you have on your ridge but the clutches get dirty and have to be cleaned from time to time. You might be experiencing the primary clutch just being dirty causing it to stick until the higher rpm centripetal force takes over forcing the clutch shut and grabbing the belt causing a jerky start.

If the belt engages fine at lower rpm but jerks while moving it maybe the inadequate clutch design from the factory. The majority of that problem is the primary clutch doesn’t have a bearing for the belt to ride on. So the belt drags on the primary clutch in neutral, this will turn the secondary clutch causing difficult gear engagement (not the problem your having I know). As you use your ridge the belt will stretch and wear causing the belt to loosen. This will add slack in the belt so when the primary clutch engages it will pull the slack out of the belt and slip (causing the jerky start) until the shives close enough to get the belt tight. You can combat the loose belt deflection by removing secondary clutch shims but that might be more involved than some people want to do and it’s a fine line between to tight and to loose.

Steve at Cornell Customs can help with this issue. I hit black trails regularly with my ridge and also use it around the farm. With proper maintenance and Steve Cornell’s help you can pretty much eliminate those issues, give him a ring.

thanks, mine is gonna be a FACTORY defect or simple poor design in clutch, only got 50 miles on it and hasnt got off road to mess with clutch yet, had the deal from Kawasaki they said would fix it but sure didn't, thanks, wish had knew more before, would probably went can am.

 

[KRXkilla]

thanks, mine is gonna be a FACTORY defect or simple poor design in clutch, only got 50 miles on it and hasnt got off road to mess with clutch yet, had the deal from Kawasaki they said would fix it but sure didn't, thanks, wish had knew more before, would probably went can am.

I’m sure they’ll get it addressed for you and with some a few upgrades the ridge is a great platform and very capable machine. Good luck!

 

[bigal]

I’m sure they’ll get it addressed for you and with some a few upgrades the ridge is a great platform and very capable machine. Good luck!

i sure hope so, already tried once but didn't help it.

 

[mossrock98]

mine with 30 miles is terrible at jerking, called factory and they said kawasaki had a fix that had just came out in september, so i took back to dealer and whatever the fix was, DID'N help, need sumthing else done

They

 

[mossrock98]

They have an upgrade to the computer that fixes the jerking

 

[bigal]

They have an upgrade to the computer that fixes the jerking

must be different one than was used on mine, didnt help mine

 

[bigal]

nope.....none at all

thanks, where d u git the new clutch

 

[mossrock98]

must be different one than was used on mine, didnt help mine

Sorry to here that but it fixed mine
Kellys in Mesa performed the fix on mine

 

[Maple 21]

thanks, mine is gonna be a FACTORY defect or simple poor design in clutch, only got 50 miles on it and hasnt got off road to mess with clutch yet, had the deal from Kawasaki they said would fix it but sure didn't, thanks, wish had knew more before, would probably went can am.

Ours started around 5,000 miles to cough at high acceleration. Acts like not getting gas, going 50 mph or so or up a hill step on it and falls on its face like had fuel than no fuel again and again. Brought to dealer they said clutch was muddy so apparently worked fine for them. Got back home and started failing again for us. Did notice that doesn’t seem to bother too much when cold. Floor it after 1st start and seems to go fine til warmed up? Very Discouraged not sure what to do. Was going to install the aftermarket clutch because the belt squeaks when first start to move no matter what range or direction you head. New belt does the same thing have done since new so was told to put aftermarket clutch kit in. Would aftermarket clutch fix the problem at high RPM’S also? Thank You

 

[Spike]

Ours started around 5,000 miles to cough at high acceleration. Acts like not getting gas, going 50 mph or so or up a hill step on it and falls on its face like had fuel than no fuel again and again. Brought to dealer they said clutch was muddy so apparently worked fine for them. Got back home and started failing again for us. Did notice that doesn’t seem to bother too much when cold. Floor it after 1st start and seems to go fine til warmed up? Very Discouraged not sure what to do. Was going to install the aftermarket clutch because the belt squeaks when first start to move no matter what range or direction you head. New belt does the same thing have done since new so was told to put aftermarket clutch kit in. Would aftermarket clutch fix the problem at high RPM’S also? Thank You

Have you replaced the fuel filter? Check the tank vent? Either could starve it of fuel. If it is fine when cold and gets worse as you go it could be a plugged up tank vent. Try taking the gas cap off when it acts up. See if there is pressure or a vacuum on the tank. See if it is better after you put the cap back on for a bit.

 

[bigal]

beginning to wonder if made right choice with the ridge. 100 miles on new 2025, NEVER been in ANY KIND of ruff stuff, and its blessed with ISSUES, jerky acceleration, doors pop lose, terrible squeaking, and not complaining bout HEAVY on gas but definitely is, and seems to me rpm's way to hi at say 25mph, wondering if its a VERY expensive LEMON?

 

[Treeman1942]

beginning to wonder if made right choice with the ridge. 100 miles on new 2025, NEVER been in ANY KIND of ruff stuff, and its blessed with ISSUES, jerky acceleration, doors pop lose, terrible squeaking, and not complaining bout HEAVY on gas but definitely is, and seems to me rpm's way to hi at say 25mph, wondering if its a VERY expensive LEMON?

I've owned my 2025 Ridge Camo for almost exactly a year, the first one sold at my Michigan dealership. I had the same issues & concerns with my Ridge for the first six months: jerky acceleration, door popping open, squeaking, and the high RPM. I now have 3000 miles on the Camo, and the dealer fixed the door issue. As far as the jerkiness & squeaking, I've learned to live with them, the high RPMs too. I've learned to love my Camo, even though it has so many quirks. I had a screeching belt too, but the dealer told me to always use low gear when below 20MPH. It seemed odd at first, but now normal, and very little screeching now. And, yes, the fuel usage is not the best, especially if working it!

 

[bigal]

I've owned my 2025 Ridge Camo for almost exactly a year, the first one sold at my Michigan dealership. I had the same issues & concerns with my Ridge for the first six months: jerky acceleration, door popping open, squeaking, and the high RPM. I now have 3000 miles on the Camo, and the dealer fixed the door issue. As far as the jerkiness & squeaking, I've learned to live with them, the high RPMs too. I've learned to love my Camo, even though it has so many quirks. I had a screeching belt too, but the dealer told me to always use low gear when below 20MPH. It seemed odd at first, but now normal, and very little screeching now. And, yes, the fuel usage is not the best, especially if working it!

thanks