Test drive Can-Am Commander: everything for sport, everything for victory!..

Can-Am Commander 2021

The Commander was Can-Am's first buggy model, coming shortly after the RZR. It was more comfortable and had much better trailing arm rear suspension, while the RZR had A-arms.

Another unique feature of the original Commander was the two compartments in its folding body - one regular, and the second, semi-sealed, underneath. And although that Commander had a number of serious design flaws (in particular, the engine and variator were located between the passengers under a thick layer of cladding, which seriously hampered maintenance), it was a very serious Can-Am entry into the utilitarian all-terrain vehicle market.

Can-Am Commander Speed

Can-Am powers the proven 976cc V-twin in its ATVs, and it was also found in the first generation Commander and some Mavericks. In the new Commander, that engine is back in action, and it's quite fast! The new Can-Am Commander XT-P accelerates easily and quickly to 75 mph. Of course, it picks up this speed not like some turbocharged all-terrain vehicle, pressing heads and shoulders into the backs of the seats, but very quickly and cheerfully. The engine produces 100 hp, and does not make too much noise, at least to the eyes of those sitting in the cabin. From the outside, the sound is very pleasant and impressive, indicating an all-terrain vehicle on the ground.

Belt

Yes, the Commander XT-P 1000 is equipped with a classic all-terrain V-belt variator connecting the engine to the gearbox. The belt is easily accessible and is located behind the driver's seat. The belt lasts a very long time, and it works reliably in the most difficult conditions without breaks or other damage. However, for the first time in this class, the XT-P 1000 has a dedicated storage compartment for a spare belt located next to the left fender. There is also a pulley puller there.

SUV design

innovative developments and original solutions into every new product of the BRP brand , so the 1000 XT model, released in 2013, absorbed all the best.

The unique appearance sets the BRP Commander 1000 XT apart from other utilitarian-tourist class ATVs.

The first thing that catches your eye is the “Side-by-side” seating pattern , which allows the passenger to sit comfortably next to the driver, and not behind him, which is very convenient and safer.

The aggressive appearance is formed by twin headlights, reinforced bumper structures, luggage compartment and sill arches, fender extensions and original 20-inch alloy wheels with Maxxis Bighorn tires.

A special feature of the Commander 1000 XT all-terrain vehicle is the folding side of the body, which has an additional spacious luggage compartment , which will delight both extreme tourists and fishermen and hunters.

The advantages of the Yamaha Warrior 1700 include the somewhat non-trivial appearance of the motorcycle, excellent road performance, and engine characteristics.

A review of a motorcycle from Kawasaki, which at one time became a legend thanks to its highest performance and speed.

Can-Am Commander Pendants

All four Commander suspensions feature large 2.5 Fox QS3 struts. In stock form, the shock absorber springs are rather stiff, and it even feels like the vehicle's floor (and body) is too high, which can make it unstable. Apparently, the manufacturer included in the suspension the ability to immediately load the car with cargo, because it copes with its transportation perfectly, even on steep climbs without trying to lift up the wheels and maintaining complete stability, for which we must thank the stiff springs and 10-inch wide XPS Hammer Force tires (254mm) with flat profile.

However, the Fox QS3 struts are highly adjustable, so you can easily tune them for a softer, more comfortable ride. On this model, all four suspension travel is limited to 14 inches (355mm) , the same as the Polaris General XP and slightly less than the Yamaha RMAX. But the suspension's performance is further enhanced by its 90.6-inch (2,300mm) wheelbase—it's the same length as the RZR XP and significantly longer than the RMAX and any General. The long wheelbase helps it ride better over bumps and corner very predictably without any of the nervousness associated with short-wheelbase ATVs.

Specifications

Weighing 585 kilograms, the 1000 XT all-terrain vehicle has the following dimensions:

• Length - 304.0 cm;
• Width - 148.9 cm;
• Height - 182.9 cm;
• Wheelbase - 192.4 cm;
• Ground clearance - 27.9 cm.

The machine frame is made of high-strength 51mm steel pipes.

In terms of fuel reserve (38 liters) and power characteristics, the 1000 XT is a leader among production models of the UTV class .

As a power plant, the manufacturer chose a liter 2-cylinder 4-stroke unit, with 4 valves per cylinder.

Such an engine consumes fuel moderately and, with its 85 “horses,” develops a tractive effort of 680 kilograms.

The front suspension of the model is double wishbone, and the rear is equipped with a stabilizer bar (transverse). Both have oil-adjustable Motion Control shock absorbers.

The braking system consists of ventilated discs and 2-piston calipers. The steering is rack and pinion , with height adjustment.

The front differential has a Visco-Lok QE locking module.

The reliability of the legendary Honda Gold Wing touring bike, as well as the highest quality of its performance, is beyond doubt.

A very popular bike among fans of naked bikes:

The technical specifications for the 1000 XT are shown in the following table.

Can-Am Commander Handling

Gorgeous. The landing position is very low, as is the center of gravity, and maneuverability, on the contrary, is high. Sometimes while driving the Commander it feels like you’re sitting in an X3: it turns accurately and clearly, and if desired, breaks into a skid, but for this you need to be in 2WD drive mode. It is very nimble and easy to control, although the plastic steering wheel slips in your hands - gloves will help. (Some even think of matting the surface of the steering wheel with sandpaper, but this is clearly overkill.) A decent 34cm of ground clearance protects the underbody of this long-wheelbase vehicle from being hit by bumps.

Estimated cost

In its segment, the Commander 1000 XT model from the Canadian brand BRP is the most interesting offer.

This powerful, easy-to-operate, economical and ergonomic machine, according to experts, has a unique combination of performance characteristics .

This model is perfect for family vacations and extreme rides, as well as for work (towing a trailer) or hunting trips.

This unique SUV can be purchased from official dealers at a price of 1,800,000 rubles.

If you can’t afford a brand new copy, on the secondary market of the Russian Federation the cost of this model “starts” at one million rubles.

Remember, once you try the BRP Commander, you will never switch to an ATV of another model!

The capabilities of the BRP Maverick 1000 are very wide: you will be confident in it both in the desert and on the mountain slopes.

A middle-class ATV, one of the most popular models of the Stealth brand:

Four-wheel drive

Can-Am equips the Commander XT-P with a top-of-the-line Smart-Lok front differential. This system was originally created for the X3 mountain all-terrain vehicle, and it not only shows the condition of the front differential, but also uses a special computer to analyze various aspects of the all-terrain vehicle's movement, selecting the most appropriate differential mode. Of course, it takes some getting used to due to the large number of switches and indicators, and some may even feel that a manually locking differential would be more convenient. However, the Smart-Lok automatic differential works, and works well—planting the Commander in the mud is not that easy, even for a “professional” in this matter. There's a limited-slip differential at the rear, which can be used for sharper turns, but the best part is that this all-terrain vehicle doesn't leave black tire marks on the pavement.

Model components

Speaking about the equipment, we note that the multifunctional screen of the model reflects the following readings:

• Tachometer, speedometer and odometer;
• Fuel level and transmission mode indicators;
• Distance counter for one ride;
• Indicators for seat belt fastening, all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, as well as sport mode.

In addition, the Commander 1000 XT is equipped with the DESS anti-theft system and a speed limiter , four headlights and a taillight, a cigarette lighter, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and brake lights.

You can choose the appropriate color for the body of the all-terrain vehicle from steel, gray, yellow, camouflage and red.

Can-Am Commander Cabin

The cabin has plenty of legroom and the seats are soft. They are low, and the drop body is high, so it somewhat blocks the view to the rear. On the other hand, the Can-Am Commander is equipped with a rearview mirror. But as for space as such, comfort is sacrificed for compactness: if you are even a little larger than a skinny teenager, you will constantly be in contact with your neighbor in the cabin's shoulders. There is no central console or shelf separating the driver and passenger in the cabin. True, there are two quite convenient glove compartments (which are glove boxes), but otherwise there is little space on the front panel not only for accessories, but even for switches

Photo gallery

The advantage of all-terrain vehicles compared to their counterparts, a motorcycle or an SUV, is their maneuverability and ability to safely pass any unevenness, even such as logs and stumps, but even on the highway no utilitarian-tourist competitor can compare with it.
And thanks to its appearance, it definitely won’t go unnoticed.

Can-Am Commander price and competitors (using the example of the US market)

The new Can-Am Commander comes in several variants: the XT-P 1000 being tested, a direct competitor to the Yamaha RMAX and the Polaris General/General XP. The XT-P 1000 costs $22,199. A similarly equipped Yamaha Wolverine RMAX XT-R costs $1,000 less than the Commander, with similar engine displacement, suspension travel and functionality. This version features a Magellan GPS module that Yamaha calls Adventure Pro. Polaris' General XP costs $22,999. The General is equipped with its own GPS module called Ride Command, as well as other similar features: beadlock wheels, full doors, a roof and a winch. There's also a base Can-Am Commander model with smaller wheels, less suspension travel and weaker equipment, and it costs $16,399.