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 from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander

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bush

bush


Posts : 836
Join date : 2010-03-10
Age : 39
Location : Castlewood VA

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PostSubject: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 5:17 pm

The wife and I went to Snowshoe over the weekend to see the new Can-Am Commander and to watch the GNCC races. We really had a great time and the weather was perfect for racing. This was a huge event with huge classes and wall to wall spectators.

Can-Am was there offering demo rides on there entire line up including the new Commanders. They had 3 Commanders to demo, all 1000cc models plus another 1000cc XT model on display.

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I crawled all over the display model shooting as many pictures that I could. One of the Can-Am employees even asked me if I was planning on building one from scratch! At first glance it is easy to see that Can-Am has put a lot of thought and engineering into these new machines. The fit and finish on everything is top shelf. They are very well built machines. It seems that Can-Am has studied the competition and has over engineered the problems each competitor has.

Starting at the front of the machine the first thing that was impressive is the size of the radiator, this thing is monstrous, and it should be capable of cooling a small block Chevy. Being a Rhino owner this feature alone almost has me hooked.

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The front shocks on the XT are standard coil over with notched pre-load.

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Travel is claimed to be 10 inches. Front has double A-arm design that looks beefy, all welds looked to be exceptional.

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The front hood has a panel that lifts off similar to the RZR, underneath arranged in a very neat array is servable items such as air box, radiator filler, etc., servicing these items will be a snap.

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Moving on to the interior,
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the seats are very comfortable and fully adjustable. The instrument panel is very unique, mounted to the steering column so the gauge cluster moves with the wheel as the tilt wheel is adjusted. The cluster has analog type speedo and tach with digital information center in the middle (fuel, mileage, mode, etc.)

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Dashboard center is several switches, high/low beam, 4wd, sport mode (modulates the throttle by wire), and to the far right is winch in and out which is standard on the XT. Below the switches are the ignition switch, starter button, and a 12V accessory plug.
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The roll cage is very strong, made from 2 inch tubing.
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The bed is unique as well, there are two separate compartments, the top compartment is very comparable to the Rhino, Ranger, and Terex beds, however, there is a separate compartment underneath that the top box has a false floor. With the floor of the top box in place the bottom bed is lockable, by opening the bottom tailgate the false floor will lift out creating a very deep bed to haul bulky items.

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I have heard a lot of comments about the exhaust being low and concerns about submersing the exhaust, but seeing the machine in person the exhaust isn’t as low as I thought. It is above the trailer hitch about the same height above the ground as a stock RZR, just about even with the top of the rims.

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the rear suspension also claims to be 10 inches of travel, a big difference from the norm is there are no A-Arms, instead the commander uses a swing arm of sorts, BRP claims this allows the tires to travel strait up and down, eliminating wheel scrub.

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So much for the features and on to the real reason we went to Snowshoe, the demo ride. I rode the “X” model with the Fox shocks, 12 inch Big Horn 2.0 with bead locks, and heavy duty sway bars front and back. The Can-Am ride leader came over to each rider and explained all the functions of the individual machines. The commander comes with two smart keys, a black and gray key. The black key unleashes the full potential of the machine, while the grey key limits the top speed to 45 MPH. Another safety feature of the Commander is if you leave the seat belt unattached top speed is limited to 11MPH. For anyone wanting to upgrade to 4 point harness that will be a problem that someone will have to figure out, time will tell. When the group was ready the call for kick stands up came and we were ready to ride. Pushing the start button and bringing the beast to life the very first thing I noticed was how quite the Commander is, it was easy to carry on a normal conversation with the wife. Leaving the staging area and heading to the test track I laid back a bit so I could rip it a bit, punch the throttle and the Big Horns started throwing bits of chewed up turf out the back. Can you say POWER, that was fun, back off again to gain a little bit of room and whapped it again, I can’t tell you how much fun that was. Approaching a small drainage crossing I decided to hit it a bit hot, I was expecting a nice smooth bump but to my surprise the Commander hit pretty hard and bucked a little like my Rhino does. The steering is quick, almost go kart feel, but stiff, power steering would be a big help. The ride lasted for two laps around the track (sigh) but was very enjoyable. On the way home I kept thinking about the Commander hitting that cross ditch so hard, and I just kept thinking to myself “ With Fox shocks and 10 inches of travel it should have been more S like” After I got home and reviewed some of the pictures I took I understand why it was so stiff, the preload nuts was screw ¾ of the way down.

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I would love to try it again with the preload backed off a bit to soften it up. After the ride the reps asked to fill out a survey, while talking to him he said these test units were the same units that was at the dealer show in Reno, I suspect they had the suspension cranked up to play in the dunes.

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PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 5:43 pm

Awesome! Thanks Bush for that added insight on the commander. It's truly appreciated. If I was in the market for a stock side x side then I dont think there would be a question-COMMANDER ALL THE WAY! Its kinda the same as when the RZR came out and all the Rhino owners were in denial. But the thing about the rzr is that it has reigned over everything else for the past two years and there are tons of aftermarket upgrades available.

If you send a stock commander my way and with my new found upgrades on my rzr, The stock commander will fall short at Windrock. --For one thing the bed on the commannder is going to hang it up in tight spots. And I need not mention the exhaust.. oh I could go on but I'm sure no ones interested 32749 ... .

I am a can am commander fan and just waiting on Polariis to answer to it..But in the mean time I'm sticking with my old 08 RZR. Heck, last tally I got 20g in it......I know pretty stupid but I've grown fond of her.. 980928




Last edited by jerrzr on Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:58 pm; edited 2 times in total
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GunRunner
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GunRunner


Posts : 5241
Join date : 2010-03-09
Age : 70
Location : North Georgia

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PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 5:55 pm

must have been the same units tim and tod rode and said they rode like trucks, i like a lot of the features but im not hearing the "shit i got to have one " from the rzr guys who have test rode them. My dealer will have some next month and i will give them a look over. thanks bush for the info 431114
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ChrisC
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ChrisC


Posts : 6746
Join date : 2010-03-10
Age : 57
Location : Marietta GA

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PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 6:14 pm



Thanks Bush..... 431114

But i think i will take tim and todds word for it.
thay ride like we do and were not impressed at all. an S it is not.

and besides Dodd and I think it is ugly...... lol!

I will be keeping my S , unless po po come out with that 1100 SS
i keep hearing about. thin i might have to write a check..... 248474

Frankly , i am happy with what i have...... 431114
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from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander Empty
PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 7:38 pm

Deposit down last Saturday...........................Sept the 18th. "X"..... cheers
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ChrisC
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ChrisC


Posts : 6746
Join date : 2010-03-10
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PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 8:44 pm


Good for you...... 431114

you keeping the short bus. or are you saleing it?...... 248474
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mason

mason


Posts : 1022
Join date : 2010-03-11
Age : 68
Location : austinville,va.

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PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 9:50 pm

i will keep my S maybe can-an later then have both.
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from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander Empty
PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 10:01 pm

ChrisC wrote:

Good for you...... 431114

you keeping the short bus. or are you saleing it?...... 248474

My deposit is refundable. If I don't like what I see, or feel, the short-bus stays!!!!! 971386
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bush

bush


Posts : 836
Join date : 2010-03-10
Age : 39
Location : Castlewood VA

from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander Empty
PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 10:05 pm

FYI !!!
the write up came from a guy with a rhino that is looking to upgrade. he has drove my S but only on the big haul road in WV.
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ChrisC
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ChrisC


Posts : 6746
Join date : 2010-03-10
Age : 57
Location : Marietta GA

from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander Empty
PostSubject: Re: from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander   from a WVSXSRIDER that rode the commander EmptyWed Jun 30, 2010 11:04 pm

bush wrote:
FYI !!!
the write up came from a guy with a rhino that is looking to upgrade. he has drove my S but only on the big haul road in WV.

if he is compairing it to a Rhino , i see why he is all excited... 547228

he just did not spend enough time in an S...... 431114
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