Next up on our test ride was the Can-Am
Commander 1000. We were very excited to see what this
1000cc engine had to offer and it did not disappoint!
The liquid-cooled, single overhead cam engine 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 what the temperature is outside or what altitude
you are at.
With an incredible 85HP stock, the Commander 1000 had
more than enough power and in fact, in aggressive driving
situations, it seemed to have a little too much power
for 2WD mode. We found that the machine handled much
better in 4WD while using the performance key, which
made it feel very controllable and brought about confidence.
The performance of the Commander 1000 was similar to
that of the 800r, but with a noticeable power difference.
“The power on both machines was really good, better
than any other manufacturer’s stock products,
but the 1000 had really fast tones of power. It was
a little too much in 2WD mode but when you put it in
4WD; it transferred the power very well. It pulled evenly
coming in and out of turns; it improved the handling
and made it easier to drive. It really worked awesome,”
said Goodman.
The Commander 1000 comes as a standard base model
or with two package options. The XT package offers
the same options as the 800R XT but with the additional
choice of red as a primary color. The Commander 1000
also has a high performance X package as well.
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Commander
1000 X Package Black & Yellow Accent Free-standing
Seats
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Commander
X fully Adjustable front & rear Fox Racing
Shox's HPG piggyback shocks |
The X package was our favorite as it comes with an
array of suspension upgrades. The Can-Am Commander
1000 X comes equipped with fully adjustable front
and rear Fox Racing Shox HPG piggyback shocks, a front
sway bar, 26” Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires mounted
on 12” aluminum beadlock wheels, an analog/digital
gauge, a heavy duty front bumper, rock sliders, a
leather steering wheel and X-package seat trim and
graphics. This unit comes in black with yellow accents
and looks sharp!
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2011
Can-Am Commander 1000 X UTV / SxS
|
After two days of driving the Can-Am Commander 800R
and 1000 lines, we were very impressed with just about
every aspect of these machines. Both models have excellent
power and come with plenty of options to suit just
about every need, from a serious work horse, to a
high performance power house with exceptional handling.
Even the base models have great suspension, although
we preferred the XT and X packages because of the
extras and we really like the tire and wheel combination
offered with the upgrade. It seems that once again
Can-Am/BRP has gone above and beyond by delivering
two of the best side-by sides on the market. The Can-Am
Commanders are excellent units and we cannot wait
to get one of our own!
