Top of the line Can-Am Commander 1000 X

Can-Am enters the UTV market with a bang and their top-of-the-line Commander 1000 X. It is an incredible side x side vehicle right from the factory. With and industry leading 85 HP, Fox Racing Shox 2.0 RC2 shocks and beadlock wheels, it is ready to rip through the desert, dunes or rocks as it sits.

I was lucky enough to get to chances to drive the Can-Am Commander 1000 X before it was introduced to the public on June 8, 2010. Once at Little Sahara Sand Dunes and then in Montreal for the Media Intro.

Can-Am Commander 1000 X Information:

Rotax® 1000 V-Twin engine // Newly developed for this project, the Rotax 1000 80º V-twin is the most powerful side-by-side engine in the industry* with 85 HP. The liquid-cooled, single overhead cam power plant features four valves per cylinder and is fed by a 54mm Bosch‡ throttle body and two VDO Seimens‡ fuel injectors. The sophisticated electronic fuel injection system automatically keeps the engine’s performance at its peak, regardless of temperature or altitude.



Commander 1000 X Package Upgrades

For the side-by-side rider who demands the best performance and features from their vehicle, BRP offers the Can-Am Commander 1000 X. Starting with the base Commander 1000, the X Package adds a host of features designed to bring performance- based features like high-end, piggyback Fox Racing Shox mounted both front and rear, a front sway bar, 12-inch aluminum beadlock wheels, rugged rock sliders on both the driver and passenger side and more. The X Package components, when combine together, build the ultimate side-by-side.

Front and rear Fox Racing Shox HPG piggyback shocks // Large-diameter 47-millimeter aluminum piggyback shocks built by Fox Racing Shox are fully adjustable with high- and low-speed compression, high- and low-speed rebound and multi-position preload adjustment. Both front and rear shocks have 10 inches (25 cm) of travel. With advanced high- and low-speed tuning available, one can dial in suspension performance to their preference. The large-diameter design and piggyback construction help dissipate heat.



Front sway bar // The 5/8-inch (1.6 cm) front sway bar helps reduce body roll in aggressive cornering enhancing the handling of the Can-Am Commander 1000 X.

12-inch Aluminum beadlock wheels // Aluminum beadlock wheels mean added performance under heavy acceleration and cornering. A Can-Am exclusive design clamps the tire bead securely to the Commander 1000 X wheel for the ultimate in performance.

26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires // These rugged tires feature six-ply radial construction, yet are lightweight to cut down on unsprung weight. They absorb the terrain for a smooth ride and have a non-directional pattern to provide predictable cornering and to claw across roots, rocks and other tough terrain for climbing confidence.

Analog/digital gauge // The gauge on the Commander 1000 X has an upgraded gauge on the base model. Featuring state-of-the-art instrumentation with an analog tachometer and speedometer combined with an advanced digital information center.

Heavy-duty front bumper // A sleek, heavy-duty front bumper adds rugged durability to the Can-Am Commander 1000 X and completes the X-Package look of the side-by-side vehicle.

Rock sliders // Both sides of the vehicle feature rock sliders that allow the Commander 1000 X to slide against obstacles like rocks and trees in challenging terrain. This helps keep obstacles away from the body panels of the vehicle.

Leather steering wheel // A premium leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard on the Commander 1000 XT.

X Package seat trim and graphics // The Can-Am Commander 1000 X features a premium X Package look with an stunning black design with yellow accents. It is designed to look sleek and fast even when sitting still and will certainly impress.

More Commander details:
Can-Am Commander 800
Can-Am Commander 1000
Can-Am Commander 1000 X

I like it!

Very nice !! I like that 85 hp ,not so sure about the bumble bee look ? Maybe it will grow on you or you will get totaly sick of it. We will have to see?

What a fantastic looking machine!!

Great job on this John!!

Looks like it uses rear trailing arms instead of A-arms. Kinda like a buggy.

From the pic.....rear trailing arm construction ie; welds look Joyner'ish.

Any word on a price tag ?? Will look much better with some doors vs nets. Can't wait to see what SDR will do to one of these.

I just read on another site that the base 800 will be priced closed to a Teryx and the 1000X will be priced about $500 more than a Rzr-S, nothing official though.

I dig it!

I like it, I also like the bumble bee look! It kind of grows on you, all their other stuff is black/yellow.

I like it!

why not put long travel on it from the factory? it cant cost that much more, can it? with that engine setup, i think they really missed the boat.

I agree with ob about the trailing arms very Joyner looking!!!

what? no long travel? that one pic is a freekin advertisement for long travel

From what I have learned, Can-Am is only going to set-up a small amount of dealers for this UTV.

In a typical fashion for Can-Am, they set-up seperate fanchises for each of its product. ATV, Spyder, and now the UTV.

What does this mean for the average consumer?

Less dealers and less competition and likely higher cost to the consumer.

Commander Pricing

Based on this pic alone, I see a recall with wheel spacers and removal of the rear sway bar in their future...

I like that. Pretty smart actually.

Not a very good advertisement for Can-Am or UTVs in general right here.

That was driver error. Just trying to make a good roost for the photo and came in a little hot.

Each key is a different color. Performance key is black, normal key is gray, and work key is orange.

Now, by simply choosing a key color, you can get your Commander to simulate all of the competing manufacturers' side-by-sides.

Black = Arctic Cat
Gray = Rzr
Orange = Rhino

do you have a ride review beyond just a spec list?

I really don't know if I can say this, because it deals with another forum, but on Rhinoforums Brian B who posts on here also was one of the beta pilots in Glamis. Very good review, he is also a Rotax conversion owner. He does a great interview on it. I'm sorry if I wasn't allowed to mention another forum.

it doesn't hover?? Yeah they missed the boat allright.

Just a guess but;

Most of the State and Federal ORAs have width restrictions and width limit posts at each trailhead.

Can-am hit it again, I have the DS650 and I will have the Commander 1000X
baby you can not beat Rotax, Real Sweet! Wait till Tim gets one.

85 HP stock, unreal

SS

gotta go measure my trailer, brb

Cool!



My only guess is either cost, or the fact that many trails limit wide vehicles (over 50" I think).

new jonh deer

Made by Can-Am like their ATVs I presume.

Thanks for the great info and pictures. Hope stock comes with more than the typical lap belt.

Misterkidd: you mixed up the black and gray keys.....black is rzr hahahahahha lol

Not from what I've heard

Not enough wheel travel and looks as if it wants to roll. Im gonna hold out. Also, according to sources Can-am wants to dominate the sidexside market and has priced to sell. The intial shipment starts with five machines per dealer with a $2k deposit. The interior and storage is awesome though..................Release date mid-august

I'm hearing the same thing.

It will only be in a very few dealers as Can Am wants to minimize competition among dealers.

I was lucky enough to be asked to test the Commander 1000 XT & 1000 X at Little Sahara Sand Dunes before I went to Montreal for the media event.



The 1000 has got lots of power, especially at the higher RPM range. I think there is Just like their ATVs, this engine really likes to run. I do think there is a good chunk of power left on the table that could be had with ECU work and a Muzzys fual exhaust. I did tell them that I would like a little more bottom end responsiveness.

As far as handling goes, I really liked the suspension setup on the 1000 X. The Fox 2.0 RC2 shocks are awesome. Really nice for fast desert sections. Not so sure I like the front sway bar o the X, but it is easy enough to remove.

The roosterpit is comfortable. Probably the most comfortable of all UTVs for me (6' 1"). Seat is adjustable. Nets are a pretty good design, just a litte tall for me. My line of sight out the side was right where the upper strap comes across. Lots of storage.

The Commander is limited to 10mph if you do not have your seat belt on. No sure how to get around that with harnesses, but someone will have an answer to that pretty quick I would guess. Smart move by Can-Am to do that.

CVT intake is nice and high up in front of the driver. Air filter is easy to access.

CVT belt is on the driver's side. Not sure how easy it is to access inthe field.

I was happy with the throttle - no cable for the Commander.

Overall in the dunes, stock vs. stock, I would prefer a RZR S over the 1000. But that is if I left it stock. I still like the lower seating and lightweight of the RZR S for the dunes. But with a +3" or +4" LT on the Commander, I might just change my mind. In the desert, I think the Commander could be king. The suspension on the X works great for high speed runs with ruts and whoops. With a little tuning on the shocks it has great potential. Lots of storage for ice chest, camping gear, etc.

I really want to see this thing in the dunes.

nice

Would it be appropriate to compare this 1k machine to the arctic cat 1k? Comparable or would one blow the other away? Any thouhgts?

These definitely look badazz.

Good question. I have a Prowler 1K w/HCR long travel. Seriously hauls the mail, but I would bet the Can-Am is a touch faster.

They were at silver lake last week and were a JOKE!! Quite a few got towed out of there, not a very good showing at all.

Based on what people are saying I doubt it.

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Gotta convince the Wifey now!!

"Nothing runs like a queer"