Review of the 2011 Can-Am Commander 1000 XT all-terrain vehicle

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.

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

The release of the first Side-by-Side all-terrain vehicle in history (it was a Yamaha Rhino 2003) divided experts into two camps: some fundamentally did not see a future for this type of equipment, others, on the contrary, were delighted with the unusual combination of vehicle qualities - SUV and ATV. Time has proven the latter to be right. The success of the Rhino became obvious, and later another recreational equipment manufacturer, Polaris, expanded the Side-by-Side segment with the release of a sports model, the Ranger RZR.

All this time, the BRP Corporation did not show any activity in this area, although an all-terrain vehicle with “automobile” landing and control was expected from it. Meanwhile, Arctic Cat, Honda, Kawasaki, the Chinese represented by Kymco and CF-Moto, as well as companies traditionally involved in construction equipment: Caterpillar and Bobcat entered the Side-by-Side all-terrain vehicle market.

Apparently, BRP specialists were simply studying the market, waiting to see which way demand would swing. And, apparently, they came to the conclusion that models with a pronounced sporty note in their character are more in demand than purebred “utilitarians”. Because the long-awaited Can-Am Commander is a clear competitor to the “sportsmen” from Kawasaki and Polaris, and not to the utilitarian models from Honda and Yamaha.

A similar assumption was confirmed in a conversation with a correspondent of the Kolesa.Ru by representatives of the Russian distributor BRP. According to them, the new product from Can-Am was developed as a model primarily for outdoor activities.

When you take this into account, it becomes clear why the Commander looks rather squat compared to most of its competitors. The new Can-Am is a long vehicle (more than three meters in length), wide (1,489 mm), and its safety cage is relatively low (the total height of the vehicle is 1,829 mm). Such dimensions indirectly indicate that the designers were more concerned about the optimal weight distribution of the all-terrain vehicle than about its geometric cross-country ability. There is reason to believe that for this reason the Commander, unlike most vehicles of this type, does not exhibit an increased tendency to roll and roll over when cornering.

Such a quality as stability is very, very important for the Commander, since it is not deprived of power. The base for the new product is the Rotax 800 V-Twin EFI engine: a two-cylinder “four-stroke” liquid-cooled engine with a capacity of 800 cc. cm, used on Can-Am Outlander and Renegade ATVs. The top version of the Commander is equipped with a 1000 cc Rotax V-Twin engine producing 85 hp. With.

According to BRP, this power unit is currently the most powerful of those installed on Side-by-Side all-terrain vehicles. We readily believe, considering that the only competitor to the Commander with a 1000 cc engine is the Arctic Cat Prowler XTZ 1000.

The Commander's chassis is traditional for Can-Am all-terrain vehicles. The front suspension is independent, on double A-arms, with an anti-dive effect. At the rear is TTI's proprietary independent torsion bar suspension with anti-roll bar. Both front and rear use Motion Control oil dampers.

It was not possible to fully evaluate the Commander’s handling during short demonstration runs for the press, held as part of the finals of the Northwestern Federal District Championship in trophy-raids on ATVs “Bomberdier Trophy”. But the energy intensity of the suspension was simply amazing: on a bumpy dirt road, the Commander easily reached 100 km/h (!) and at the same time did not show the slightest signs of any swing or “goat”, clinging to the trajectory with a death grip! It seemed that the device was specially created for cross-country competitions on all-terrain vehicles!

Most owners of the new Can-Am Commander will probably use it in conditions closer to motocross than to trophy-raid conditions, since the very style in which the device is made is more geared towards driving with the breeze than on overcoming impassable terrain. swamp. Although on heavy off-road conditions the Commander, one might think, will not fail either. Its arsenal includes manually activated all-wheel drive, a Visco-Lok front differential that has proven itself on Outlander ATVs, and a ground clearance of 279 mm. And an ingenious drainage system in the air ducts and a special design of the exhaust system minimize the risk of the engine “flooding” when overcoming fords.

To sum up our preliminary acquaintance with the new Can-Am Commander, we can say that the BRP corporation, after so many years of silence, has made a very strong move: competitors, seemingly firmly “staking out” their places in the sports Side-by-Side segment, will have to now either make room or prepare a worthy response to the Canadians. I wonder what the first counterattack will be?

We are looking forward to the opportunity to conduct a full test drive of the Commander: such an interesting new product cannot but intrigue.

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.

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.

Review of the 2011 Can-Am Commander 1000 XT all-terrain vehicle

Impressions after a year of use

It is very difficult to part with the car after a whole year of travel. However, that's exactly what we had to do with our Can-Am Commander 1000 XT because it was time to return it to the dealer. Let's try to summarize and put together our impressions and thoughts.

The Can-Am Commander was undoubtedly the most anticipated side-by-side vehicle in the industry in recent years, and until 2010, no one believed that its release was possible, because economic conditions were far from favorable. But soon yellow posters with the silhouette of the car began to appear at various events in the United States, and enthusiasts began to eagerly anticipate the appearance of the new product. Some say that the previously leaked photo of the Commander was created in Photoshop by forum visitors, but if you compare the poster released by BRP/Can-Am and the photo, a striking resemblance will be visible to the naked eye. Does this mean that Can-Am was already testing the waters and wanted to know what fans and customers would think? Quite possible. The clever folks at Can-Am even delayed the start of prototype production so they could concentrate entirely on building the three-wheeled Spyder. This is exactly the Can-Am style: focus all your attention on one thing, and then move on to another, because that’s when you get the best results. Commander was no exception.

Some people thought that the photo (left) of the car was created by someone on the forum. However, if you compare it with the silhouette on the Can-Am poster (right), the resemblance is simply striking. Perhaps Can-Am posted this photo on purpose to gauge public opinion?

First of all, we were pleased with the unique ergonomics and appearance of this all-terrain vehicle, combined with the expected incredible power. From the front, the car, it seems to us, slightly resembled a Can-Am Renegade. The bright yellow color is Can-Am's signature color. Projector-type headlights provided excellent visibility of the road at night, and also withstood collisions with tree branches on narrow sections of the road, almost without scratching. Each headlight was 60 watts, so driving in the dark was no problem.

Although the Can-Am Commander sits higher behind the wheel than any other competing model, the driving position feels quite low.

The seating position in the cabin is incredibly comfortable. Moreover, the seats can be pulled out and used as an outdoor chair, which is an incredibly nice and thoughtful move on the part of the manufacturer. The driver sits higher than in competitive models, but it feels like you're sitting inside the car. The gear shift lever is located very conveniently, within reach of the driver's hand. Commander starts at the touch of a button like a race car, delivering a new thrill and true to Can-Am's racing heritage. The tilt-adjustable steering wheel allows drivers of almost any height to sit comfortably behind the wheel. In addition, the instrument panel on our Commander tilted along with the steering wheel, so all the necessary information was always visible in any case.

Overall, the cabin design and finishing were up to par as expected from this company; Moreover, all this equipment withstood countless trips throughout the year. Luckily, we didn't have to check the roll cage in a rollover, but the frame handled tree impacts and the like with ease.

The 976cc engine inside the Commander 1000 was incredibly powerful, but the electric throttle operation was a bit disappointing.

As expected, the Can-Am Commander 1000 XT's is impressively powerful, but over time the electric throttle didn't seem to respond quite as well as desired. However, as soon as the engine starts and gives gas, the ground under the tires literally breaks, and the car rapidly rushes forward.

The single overhead cam 4-stroke engine performs exactly as you'd expect from a Rotax engine, and if you think it sounds a lot like the Can-An Outlander 1000 engine, you're right. The main difference between the Commander engine is a redesigned crankcase, which made it possible to increase the piston stroke of the 976 cc engine. Also in the Commander the engine is located slightly lower. A 54mm throttle body and two Siemens VDO injectors ensure not only optimal power delivery, but also economical fuel consumption. But you shouldn’t overestimate the efficiency of the car, because if you like to slam the gas pedal to the floor and drive like a breeze, this will affect your fuel costs. But at cruising speed the car will provide many hours of fun without refueling.

If you don't push the throttle too hard and take your time, the Commander will provide many hours of travel on a single full tank.

The suspension on this 600 kg machine is good and handles its tasks confidently. It is equally fun and comfortable to ride on rocky, rutted paths and smooth roads. But keep in mind that factory shock absorber settings are designed for the average buyer and conditions, so don't expect perfect settings and performance right away. The Commander suspension allows the all-terrain vehicle to feel confident in various conditions, from sharp turns to high-speed off-road rides.

The Commander's standard suspension handles most driving situations very well.

The only thing we'd like to change is the response of the Commander's steering wheel. A more responsive steering wheel would undoubtedly improve the car's handling. We love the trailing arm suspension design found on the Outlander and Commander, but it seems to have been improved on the Commander. The levers are located lower and wider, which makes the structure stronger. A huge torsion bar at the rear of the car makes it even more stable.

The XT package is a very profitable investment. Just the winch package, cast aluminum wheels, and Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires make this a compelling proposition.

The official US price for this Can-Am Commander 1000 XT was $14,299, which is $1,500 more than the base Commander 1000. For that money you get a winch with a 1,814 kg towing capacity, 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires, 14- inch cast aluminum wheels, an upgraded instrument panel with analog tachometer and speedometer, a heavy-duty front bumper, heavy-duty cargo bed side rails, front wheel arch mud flaps, and a custom leather-wrapped steering wheel.

After a year of off-roading, trail riding, looking under the hood, and just having fun behind the wheel of the Can-Am Commander 1000 XT, we can say with confidence that it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The marketing team did a great job creating hype around this model, and Can-Am lived up to it. The Commander has everything a fun off-road adventurer could need for years to come. Of course, some things have worn out, for example, the drive belt and the side nets that protect the driver and passenger, but nothing lasts forever, especially such components. Would we change anything? It might be a good idea to make the bottom compartment more airtight to keep water-sensitive items safe there, and it's also worth paying attention to the noise you often hear from the transmission. But to be honest, this car drives off-road, where conditions, to put it mildly, are far from ideal, so it’s not very fair to find fault after a year of operation.

For comfort, handling, utility and just plain fun on the road, the Can-Am Commander is hard to beat.

All things considered, we would definitely recommend this model to anyone looking for a quality, reliable, and powerful off-road vehicle. The Can-Am Commander 1000 XT delivers on all the manufacturer's promises and maintains its reputation as a leader. Go ahead, ride.

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.

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.

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

Advantages of Commander ATVs

BRP at one time decided to “capture” part of the lucrative ATV market by switching from the production of snowmobiles. And the company has successfully competed with such powerful brands as Polaris, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Arctic Cat.

A special “calling card” of Can-Am Commander all-terrain vehicles is the powerful V-Twin engine.

Thus, the flagship of the model range, the BRP Commander 800 ATV is equipped with a 71-horsepower Rotax 800 EFI, and the Commander 1000 is equipped with an 83-horsepower Rotax 1000 EFI.

Price

Prices for these ATVs start at $11,699. The model range belongs to the premium segment. Despite the high cost, all all-terrain vehicles in the line successfully combine luxury, comfort, powerful features and performance.

Lightweight aluminum and heavy-duty plastic are the main materials used in ATVs.

Material of manufacture

The main materials used in ATVs are lightweight aluminum and heavy-duty plastic. The unique cargo compartments (double) use a waterproof partition made from a high-strength, anti-corrosion composite that resists scratches and damage.

Power

The Rotax 800 (1000) EFI engine found in select Commander ATVs is the most powerful engine up to 1000cc in displacement, and the Rotax 1000 EFI V-Twin engine is considered the most powerful engine in the world. Each engine features electronic fuel injection, and BRP says both offer class-leading fuel economy.

Ergonomic passenger seating system – Dynamic Passenger Comfort is built into the ATVs

The Can-Am Commander family also features Intelligent Throttle Control (ITC). BRP reports that the ITC system detects unwanted bounces and filters input data. This is designed to result in greater throttle precision, especially at low speed. There are also no cables to adjust or replace.

Comfort

Commander ATVs have a built-in ergonomic passenger seating system - Dynamic Passenger Comfort. It includes optimal seating placement, increased visibility and visibility, and an overall ergonomic design. The rear seats are raised 8.9 cm for increased visibility, and have the same ergonomics as the front seats. Also, for comfort and safety, there are handrails and side nets with convenient easy fastening at the back.

It features half windshields, a rear mesh and a durable tin roof with sunroof for wind and dust protection for a comfortable off-road ride.

Half windshields installed in ATVs

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.

Model range and technical characteristics

Below are the features and benefits of the iconic Commander Series models. Each option has key features that will satisfy the needs of any ATV rider, both experienced and beginner.

1000 LTD

Introduced in 2014, the limited edition BRP Commander 1000 LTD successfully combines luxury and performance. Key features of the ATV are FOX air suspension, as well as a powerful 976 cc Rotax V-Twin engine with electronic fuel injection and intelligent throttle control (iTC). The SHOC 8-valve engine is mated to a CVT and offers a choice of 2WD/4WD with a Visco-Lok automatic locking front differential.

The all-terrain vehicle is ideal for off-road travel, as well as for occasional refueling, thanks to the 37.8-liter fuel tank.

BRP Commander 1000 LTD
Important Electronic and Technical Features and Accessories:

speedometer, tachometer, odometer;
progress and time counters;
sport mode and ECO mode;
4WD indicators, self-diagnosis and automatic shutdown.

But what really sets the BRP Commander 1000 LTD apart in terms of technical specifications is the aforementioned air suspension, new three-mode dynamic power steering, Garmin navigation and a four-speaker audio system.

Attention! The Can-Am Commander Limited 1000 features a full tin roof, a windshield, a heavy-duty front bumper, a durable body, comfortable seats, and a choice of metallic gray and pearlescent white.

The Can-Am Commander Limited 1000 has a full tin roof.

MAX 1000 LTD

Released in 2021, the Can-Am Commander MAX 1000 LIMITED is one of the most luxurious four-passenger ATVs on the market. It is equipped with a powerful Rotax 1000 V-Twin engine, dynamic power steering, GPS, and proprietary FOX shock absorbers. In addition, the model comes in a new cognac color option and also has a new standard electronic drive belt guard.

Three-mode Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) allows the driver to select the level of assistance based on terrain and driving conditions.

Model Can-Am Commander MAX 1000 LIMITED

800 DPS

The 2015 Can-Am Commander 800R family has several key features. Thus, the 800R DPS model includes updated wheels and a new light gray color, as well as a powerful WARN ProVantage winch with a lifting capacity of up to 2 tons.

On the engine side, the Commander 800 DPS is powered by the proven Rotax 800 EFI V-Twin. A sophisticated electronic fuel injection system automatically maintains maximum engine performance, regardless of temperature or altitude. The progressive throttle makes the power controllable, whether you're climbing rocks or cruising softly on straight, open trails.

Important! The 54mm throttle body ensures smooth throttle delivery even when the rider's foot bounces due to the terrain. The model also has the ability to select an “eco” mode for driving in normal conditions.

Model 800R DPS
More about the features of the model:

the spiral bevel gear of the rear differential reduces noise levels;
Double A-arm front suspension allows you to avoid dives during heavy braking and rough terrain;
rear torsion bar independent suspension provides excellent control and stability, especially on rough terrain, as well as a smoother ride than competitors;
three-point seat belts allow the driver and passenger to feel safe;
three dynamic control modes with BRPS Tri-Mode DPS system;
Heavy duty front bumper for added protection in harsh driving conditions.

1000 XT

Can-Am produces many lines of ATVs. And almost every model line produces an additional series marked XT-P - this was the case with the legendary Outlander and Renegade lines, and Commander was no exception. In 2014, the BRP Commander 1000 LTD ATV was released.

Model 1000XT

The all-terrain vehicle in a classic black color made of polished black plastic with yellow accents pleases not only with its design, but also has:

fully adjustable front and rear Fox anti-skid shock absorbers;
reinforced front bumper;
four-wheel drive;
Tri-Mode DPS power steering (three driving options).

Another interesting feature of the model is the added front beam, which helps cope with slight body roll when cornering and off-road driving. This allows you to drive on almost any route, even deep mud, without getting stuck. Just in case, the kit includes a powerful winch with a lifting capacity of 1800 kg.

Important! This is one of the most expensive models of the brand, but it is fully equipped and also has various upgrades for every occasion and every taste. BRP Commander 1000 XT combines luxury and performance.

MAX 1000 XT

The 2021 BRP Can-Am Commander 1000 MAX XT is equipped with a Rotax V-Twin engine that displaces 976cc and produces 85 horsepower. Features of this representative of the model range are a Visco-Lok QE transmission with an automatic locking front differential, 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires on 14-inch aluminum wheels.

Important! The model has a double cargo compartment. The upper main section holds up to 180kg of cargo, while the lower semi-closed compartment can hold up to an additional 90kg.

The towing capacity of the ATV is 680 kg, and the included roller drive winch allows you to increase these figures to 2 tons.