The Best Off-Roading 90 Minutes from LA: In the Kawasaki Teryx H2
We at ATV.com took the most powerful production side-by-side ever built out to the ultimate testing ground: the legendary Johnson Valley and Lucerne Valley in Southern California.
This incredible off-road playground, located just 90 minutes outside of Los Angeles, offers every challenge an extreme vehicle could face—from flat-out, high-speed desert roads and deep sand washes to punishing whoops and technical, rock-crawling terrain.
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The Supercharged Beast
At the heart of the Teryx 5 H2 is its game-changing engine: a 999cc inline four-cylinder, supercharged powerhouse pumping out a breathtaking 250 horsepower. This flagship machine isn't just about straight-line speed; its wide stance, long wheelbase, and highly rigid frame ensure that all that immense power is delivered smoothly and predictably, even when pushed to the absolute limit.
Conquering the Desert
In our video review, you’ll see our tester, John Beck, putting the Teryx 5 H2 through its paces. Watch as we:
- Test the Handling: See the difference as we switch between two-wheel drive for sliding through sand and four-wheel drive for optimal traction, even leveraging the differential lock for technical situations.
- Ride on Air: The massive suspension travel—more than 23 inches up front and 24 in the rear—paired with the on-the-fly damping adjustment (Soft, Normal, Firm) makes the roughest terrain feel like a carpet. We find out which damping mode is best for cruising versus tackling those big hits.
- Trust the Components: The standard 33-inch Maxxis Carnivore Plus tires grip the sand and rocks, while three-piston calipers gripping 270mm rotors provide confidence-inspiring stopping power when those high-speed corners rush up on you.
Ready to see 250 horsepower chew up the California desert?
Click the link below and watch our full video review to see the Kawasaki Teryx 5 H2 redefine the high-performance side-by-side segment!
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