[MAGNUM OFFROAD]

The Commander doesn't suck!!!

After a long wait from the dealer, and looking at them sitting in the shop for the past few weeks, it was finally time to take the cars out and see if they would really live up to all of our expectations. Glamis was the destination, and after assembling a small assortment of UTV's to make our comparisons to we were off! The group consisted of 2 RZR4's, a RZRS, an LT RZR, 2 Teryx's, a semi-built Rhino 660, and our 2 Commanders. I figured that this would be a good group to measure the Commanders overall performance against.

My initial impression behind the wheel of the X was nothing short of WOW! I have driven almost every UTV under the sun and this was definitely a whole new animal. The factory seats were comfortable with just the right amount of containment. I had swapped out the factory belts prior to the trip with Beard 4-points and was happy I did. The steering was tight and crisp, and gave an almost sport car feel. I loved the ratio of the rack, and felt that driving it through even tight technical dunes was almost effortless. After experimenting a little I definitely preferred to dune it in AWD vs 2wd. The Visco lock pulled hard and I could feel it right through the wheel. 2wd was fun for drifting the rear end around, but AWD was the ticket for pulling away from the pack! The Commander would literally pull away from all of the other UTV's with us at will. It was amazing!

Our base model Commander 1000 was just as fun. We installed a set of DWT Diablo beadlock wheels in favor of the stock steelies, and changed out the factory shocks to some Fox RC2's that we custom valved. The rear swaybar was removed, and the car rode just as good if not better than the X. We were able to tackle the biggest whoops that Wash Road had to offer at 55mph +. Body roll was minimal, and the transitions and landings were super smooth. We found the only weak link to be the oem shocks on the base and XT Commanders. Swap those out and your running with the X all day long!

Our biggest test was the dreaded "nose-dive" myth of the Commander. We were a little nervouse on the first few jumps, but found this not to be a problem when proper ramps were chosen. The Commander flew true and level, with no feeling of engine braking or nose diving. This was my biggest concern after purchasing the Commander, and now I am confident that they will fly just as the rest when done properly.

Overall I give the Commanders a 10! Can-Am has definitly raised the bar and given us UTV enthusiasts exactly what we were looking for in a sport UTV.

Enjoy the ride!!!

 

[LBR]

Nice writeup Dan.....put to rest a couple of Commander-damaging myths to boot...we thank you for that!!.....Lance

 

[BLR]

I have to say I didn't feel the nose dive either, although I perferred to be a little more on the conservative side when jumping, I made a point of staying in it till my back tires cleared the jump..no problem...

Thanks for the great write up...
I do have to agree AWD you do have more control, but I just loved kicking the arse end around.........Barbara

 

[dieselpowered]

Great review and great pictures Danny, thank you so much for sharing! That XT looks like it had no problems during flight

You did not mention it, so I assume you did not, however, did you run into any of the issues with the power cutting out during cornering?

 

[MAGNUM OFFROAD]

I did not experience any power cut-off, during normal driving or while jumping. I put over 120 miles onto my X and it ran flawless! Never got above the mid line on the temp gauge, never stuttered during acceleration, no burnt belt smell, and actually got pretty good fuel economy considering how I was driving it. The only thing I didn't like was the black plastic. One trip out and it is pretty scratched up. Other than that, thumbs up all the way!

The base model 1000 is the best value in my opinion. We put some beadlocks on it, and changed out the shocks and it was just as capable as the X. I actually think the ride may have been a little better! We are working hard on coming up with a set of Fox replacements with our own custom valving that will wow the XT and base model crowd (without breaking the bank). Our full replacement set of compression adjustable, custom valved, Fox 2.0 racing shocks complete with coils will start at $1850.

 

[dieselpowered]

Nice, I was going to ask if you were going to market those Fox shocks with your valving, good idea!

 

[Odyknuck]

Nice write up. I noticed you went with a 4 point in lieu of a 5 point harness setup. Been debating that myself Curious why? Also any recommendations on the valving for the "X" factory shocks. Sorry to hyjack your thread.

 

[Razorback Dave]

@Magnum,
If you can do Four Fox Shocks specifically for the Commander at $1850,, I will be your new customer.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[MAGNUM OFFROAD]

Nice write up. I noticed you went with a 4 point in lieu of a 5 point harness setup. Been debating that myself Curious why? Also any recommendations on the valving for the "X" factory shocks. Sorry to hyjack your thread.

Purchased 5-point belts, but waiting to install the sub once my new seats arrive. The factory seats do not allow the use of the sub belt. We are working on perfecting the X shock valving. We will offer this service to our customers shortly. Although they are a great shock, there is alot of room for improvement!

 

[MAGNUM OFFROAD]

@Magnum,
If you can do Four Fox Shocks specifically for the Commander at $1850,, I will be your new customer.

Thanks,
Dave

Hi Dave,

Yes, our M/O Commander specific shock package is now available! Each package will come complete with four Fox 2.0 Racing Shox that we have custom valved in-house for the Commander. We have also installed compression adjusters on all four reservoirs for ease of adjustment. I will have pictures and specs up shortly.

We have run our new shocks head-to-head with the X and feel that they are equal if not out perform them! Feel free to contact me with any additional questions.

 

[Xelvic]

I want to take the sway bars off my X too. Any recommendations on how to set up the stock X shocks to counter any excessive body role, and still have good wheel articulation on slow rocky terrain?

 

[MAGNUM OFFROAD]

Without giving away too much of what our X shock tune package will consist of, the only hint I can give you is once the rear bar is disconnected the rear springs will need to go as well.

 

[Odyknuck]

Yea I kind of figured that considering the sway bar is an additional spring on the trailing arm.

 

[Odyknuck]

Purchased 5-point belts, but waiting to install the sub once my new seats arrive. The factory seats do not allow the use of the sub belt. We are working on perfecting the X shock valving. We will offer this service to our customers shortly. Although they are a great shock, there is alot of room for improvement!

In looking at the OEM seats you mount the Sub belt in front of the lower front slotted bracket. Only limitation would be the Sub belt needs to be at least 24" long.