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I followed your advice and found a 2021 xtr 1000 and added gytr head cams and dasa full exhaust and tune and I absolutely love it best advice I’ve ever taken from a total stranger but thank you it was and wasn’t exactly what you said I opted for the black/green one over black and tan!!! If I had to do it again I’d have the exact same machine and while they do look funny put it in a pack of assorted other sbs and she really stands out looking damn good again if anyone is interested and torn it’s like this if your looking to put around don’t do it but if your looking for something that will run with dirt bikes in the woods this is the toy for you at Hatfield and McCoy trails my wife and daughter drive the yxz me and my 5 sons rip our dirt bikes and she stick’s right there with us….another fine Yamaha off-road toy it fits right there with the rest aka: blaster banshee yz490 raptor it haulsass and hovers through the dirt!!!!
That Side by side hey soon as I heard the motor I was like none of them sound like that then I remembered that Yamaha paddle shifters but it’s still sounds like a street bike👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
If you're gonna leave it stock and enjoy it for what it is then YXZ is fine (I have one as well). But Can AM and RZR have blown way way way way past YXZ TRX and Talon. If I bought a new YXZ today I would have 35K+ in it to be able to ride with all the RZR bros. Mine has all the external eng upgrades and Shock Therapy and cage and 30s etc etc but it's still unbelievably outdated. I live out west with all the big cars and big $$ and my moderately pimped out YXZ is a toy in comparison. WHY doesn't Yamaha take our bitchin powertrain and adapt it to an upgraded chassis??? The brand new RZR is in extreme buggy category with 29" of travel and more HP than my old 5.0 Mustang! We have 17" of travel still. AND CAN AM redesigned their car I'm sure to adapt a big motor in the near future. I like Talon too but you won't like riding with RZRs they will blow you away bc they have far superior suspension and it's not even close. I just can't buy a belt car but if YAM or HON doesn't step up I might have to..
@@FORTYSIX_N2 I agree. The YXZ is still a great machine and you get a lot for your money but Yamaha is definitely far behind in the SXS market these days. I am holding out in hopes that they will come out with a new sport SXS with a factory turbo, more suspension travel, and a low gear. I don't know if we will ever see one though. I like the new Maverick R a lot but I cant make myself pay that much and Im not exactly in love with the look.
My Polaris Razor died (engine, clutch were gone). I got tired of constantly have to repair it. I just bought a 2021 YXZ. It is so far a greater experience!
Good overview. I’ve owned both a 17 and now a 20 ss se. the updates done in 2019 make it feel like a completely different machine. The changes to the valving in the suspension and the gearing made it way more capable then previous generations. Also the 29” tires are now an 8 ply tire. 3400 kms now and I have yet to puncture one. The 6 ply 2.0 horns on the 17 would go flat if you looked at them funny. Wouldn’t trade my Y for anything on the market right now. Not the highest performing but definitely the most fun in my opinion. And I’ve tried quite a few different models.
Thanks! really good info. I have always heard terrible things about bighorns but I have had zero issues with mine. I have hit a lot of things that I thought for sure would puncture my tires. It must be because I have the 8 ply.
"Man that is a beautiful piece of machinery." I just bought a 2022 base model SS and I say the same thing every time I look at it. Honestly I can't even go past half throttle before I feel like I'm going too fast. Very happy with it man.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad To be fair, when hooning a UTV like this about, it's not actually about how fast you can go anyway, but rather how _long_ you can go fast for. But my question is this: why is it more about how long you can go fast for rather than outright speed?
16:50 After my dad's buddy got one we went out to kind of test it, but after a bit we softened the suspension on all corners and the difference in ride quality was astounding.
Spot on assessment! I agree with everything you said, I've owned multiple rzrs and I prefer my 19 yxz. I ride mostly dunes and it rips..Love your channel.
I rented a RZR 1000 once and I really didn't like the floaty-ness of it. It definitely didn't feel as planted as the yxz does. The suspension was quite a bit smoother though. Thank you for the kind words I really appreciate it.
Put one of my 2017 thru the ice and under the water on the great lakes and two hours later finally got it out. After changing all the fluids multiple times, it still runs fabulous. I wrote off my ss yxz at glamis and now glad to have the manuals.
That’s impressive that it ran well after being submerged. That’s crazy. I would like to try a 3 pedal and see how it compares. I mainly do fast trail riding and the ss is awesome for that. There has been a few time hill climbing when I was rolling backwards and reaching for a clutch pedal that wasn’t there. I feel like taking off by dropping the clutch would be much better than the ss launch control. I feel like the launch control is too difficult to be useful. Maybe I’m not smart enough to use it.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Paid $800 to weller racing to do my clutch after hours. Wonderful people. While on holidays climbing hills in Arizona. My fault, didn't understand little yellow light was clutch slipping on a hill were I could not turn around. First yxz was the SS so the wife and kids would find it easier. Try the manual if you can. I love being more involved.
Totally agree with your reasoning. I bought one of the first YXZ's (2016) I could not wait for the sport shift! Soon as I saw three pedals and it was Yamaha I was sold! I regret nothing! Sure it is not perfect but the sound and the revs in the dunes, It's the most fun. I've upgraded a bit but that's part of the fun with these. Only ever tore the sidewall on one tire in 5 years. For rock crawling I would go with the KRX, built like a tank for around 20K. May actually buy the 4 seat Rmax when I retire but will keep the YXZ for the dunes. Really enjoy your videos!
I’m with you on these reasons I went with this as my first sxs. So far 1300 trouble free miles on my 19 YXZ SS SE I lucked up and got mine at $16,500.00 with 91 miles. It was bought then traded back in on a pioneer 1000. Salesman told me the guys wife didn’t like it and she wouldn’t let the grandkids ride in it
Spot on vid. I started with the krx for its room and beefiness for rock crawling but found i much preferred the dunes. I bought a 22 yxz ss xtr and wont look back. Its plenty fast and and reliable and uses HALF the fuel as my krx did. Cheers
The yxz is definitely more fun to drive on my opinion. As long as your back can handle the ride of the yxz it’s definitely a lot more exhilarating. The KRX is definitely a gas hog. I couldn’t believe how much gas it goes through. The krx is comfortable and great at crawling but the yxz fits my style of riding perfectly.
The Yamaha YXZ is hands down the best SXS on the market! I put almost 5000 miles on a 2017 without a hiccup! My buddy has a 2016 and a 2019 with a turbo…both rock solid!
I just bought a 2017 YXZ SS SE with 104 actual miles on it, looks like it just came off of the showroom floor. So much fun to drive, unless of course you are rock crawling, then not so much.
Writing a couple years later, but, I've wanted the yxz since they came out, got a z950 instead, some learn the hard way and I'll probably lose alot selling the 950. But with the yxz I know I'd be smiling ear to ear. Nice video, thx
I think most the manufacturers make a 64” version of their sport SXSs except for Kawasaki. I think only Polaris, arctic cat/textron and can an offer 50” versions to fit down a quad trail. I’d like to pick up a narrow rzr 800 or 900 and get into some tighter trails. Wide trails aren’t as exciting.
Very informative video! I moved to Kanab Utah recently, and one of the reasons (besides the incredible landscape) was to eventually purchase a YZX. There are hundreds of miles of trails here, I’m told by many. Can’t wait to explore them! I’ve heard that the YXZ’s aren’t the best for rock crawling, but that type of riding doesn’t really appeal to me. I believe that’s why they have so many different machines, depends on what type of riding you want to do. Rented a 50 inch razor up in Marysvale, had a blast riding the awesome Paiute trail system, but my heart is with the YZX. Had a 79 Yamaha XS1100 for 31 years, very reliable machine until my near fatal motorcycle accident. T boned by an 18 year old girl. 17 surgeries on my left leg to keep it, it was brutal. Last day on a motorcycle. But Yamaha makes great motors in my opinion. Drive a Vette now instead! Can’t wait to get a YXZ, love to see the new ones, 2022. New subscriber here, thanks for listening! 😉
Thank you! If you are a fast paced type of driver you will love the yxz. Sorry to hear about the accident, glad you made it out alive. If you enjoyed the 50” rzr then you will definitely like the yxz. I really hope to make it out riding in Utah some day. It looks amazing. Thanks for subscribing!
I had a 2020 yxz SS SE, but had to sell it after 3000km because of school. But it is the most insane sidebyside I have ever owned, and I have been trying other sidebyside after I sold mine and all other cars seems so boring compared to this insane Yamaha. Will probably buy one of these again, because of the fun factor and reliability.
It’s definitely a great SXS for the price. Mine has been absolutely reliable. I’ve tried a few other SXSs and it didn’t feel as fun or planted. I have never gotten to try a turbo sxs yet though.
I have owned two YXZ's, both the 2016 SE and 2019 SS SE. I put on 17K miles between the two of them. I had several issues with my 2016, the gearing was way too high and I blew out the clutch in it, seals went bad, suspension was way too stiff, etc. I spent a ton of money on it to bring it up to my liking. I sold it after three years and bought the 2019 SS SE. I loved the sport shift, Yamaha made several improvements in the 2019 and newer models. I put 8K miles on my 2019 and sold it to get a four seater. My biggest complaint overall for the YXZ was the resale of the machine. Here is Utah the YXZ is not very popular, and they do not hold their value. With my 2016, even with a ton of upgrades I sold it for 11500. I contacted 5 Yamaha dealers, and none of them would take it on trade for a 2019 I was interested in. I got a better price out of my 2019, but I think it was due to COVID and the pure lack of inventory in the marketplace. I personally believe that Yamaha is putting their marketing dollars into the sport utility segment like the RMAX and not the pure sport segment. All of their factory racers have left for either Polaris or Can Am.
Yeah. I am afraid Yamaha is definitely falling behind in the sport sxs market. I’m hoping they come out with something new and really awesome soon but it’s looking doubtful.
I’ve never tried a 2016-2018 yxz but I’ve heard that a lot of people are much happier with the gearing as well as less heat in the cab and easier to keep the radiator clean on the 2019+
My 21’ turbo S has 200hrs on the OE trans, turbo, and engine. I am clutched, tuned, and belts are not an issue. I change them out at 75hrs but they never really need it. I wouldn’t shy away from a Polaris. They’re great machines too with amazing suspension
I really like the Turbo S. If I had to switch to a Polaris right now thats probably what I would buy since I don't have the extra funds to buy a Pro R. I'm not really scared to get a cvt machine. I've had snowmobiles all my life and I know its not really a big deal. If you have the clutches properly aligned, a better belt and possibly upgraded clutches you shouldn't have much issue.
YXZ is a truly special experience in a world of conformity. We need all of the exposure we can get to rally the few of us left haha. Long live the manual!!
Thanks for your honest review. I currently have a deposit for a 2023 x3. All said and done it will be over 40k. I’ll check out the Yamaha before making a final decision.
Ok, hang on, wait a minute, before you bash us 3 pedal car guys, just know as good as the SS model is, we enjoy our 3 pedal rigs just the same! It's not about how easy it is to drive for us, yet we enjoy the the experience. Belts over clutch cars doesn't matter, its all about performance, and those of us that love the 3 pedal cars, we love to drive them! Gave you a like and a sub.
Awesome! really appreciate it. Not trying to bash lol! I love them all. 3 pedal and SS both have their pros and cons. You are right, its all about enjoying the drive.
@@Smith39234 yeah it most certainly is! Thats not what the yxz was made for, however you can build the yxz to do tight technical trails. TubeWorks offers a 70/30 gear reduction kit, but ultimately if technical stuff is your fancy both Weismann and crawlforce offer a crawl box mod that will give you a high and low range. Best part about a crawl box is you don't have to sacrifice the high speed for the ability to crawl. Not sure on the cost through crawlforce, but the weismann kit is about 5k.
Try backing off the compression and adjust your rebound accordingly. And back off the spring rate with the nut on top of the shock. That should help with the harshness with the suspension
I love my 2019 YXZ 1000r SS SE. I have so much fun riding in Arizona and going to the dunes. Like your video and pretty much agree with your pros and cons. I just hit 3000 miles and haven't had any issues at all. I would like to upgrade to a turbo someday. I ride a lot with "Dune ATV" .
Thank you! I had been considering a turbo but I figured I would wait and see if Yamaha ever comes out with a 72" wide factory turbo machine with a trailing arm suspension and a manual transmission. I am not holding my breath on that one though. One big reason I chose to buy my YXZ was because of Dune YXZ's (now ATV) videos. He was just so passionate about the YXZ and always had great things to say about it. Not to mention I couldn't find a SXS video where he wasn't in the comments supporting YXZs. Hard to believe he kicked the YXZ to the curb LOL.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Yes, Dune ATV is why I bought the YXZ. I had a Can Am Maverick 2014 first and had lots of fun on it, but when I drove his YXZ it was so much better for the reasons you mentioned. I wish he still had his because I really miss following him at the dunes. Enjoy your channel.
Yep I have a 19 and live in Nevada and Williams AZ. This machine just loves the west coast riding. Anyone riding out east has to come out west and ride to really appreciate what the YXZ can do.
@@boatlakemead1 I would really love to get out that way some day. Its a reeeaaally long drive from Michigan. I would definitely need a better trailer to go that far.
I have a 2021 yxzr ss. Just got back from the dunes. I agree with you 100% on this video. I don't need or want a turbo this machine don't need it. No belt usage here. Go yamaha
Well done, much like my experience, 2020 SS Turbo with 1700 miles, had to replace front brake pads at 1,600 mile service other than that, I had to adjust a door striker. Thanks for the video!
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad I'm real happy with it, I have to say the launch control is so wonky, the 3 pedal would be better for drag racing but for all else the SS rocks!
@@geezerracing2895 I totally agree! I never use launch control when Im drag racing. I have a terrible time getting mine in launch control to work well for me. You have to get the sequence, timing and RPMs just right for it to be useful. I didnt know if it was just me struggling with it or if it is a common struggle. My machine is tuned so I thought maybe that had some effect on the launch control but maybe not.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad When I watch a drag race video and I see a YXZ sitting on the line after everyone left, I chuckle because I know how he feels. I stopped trying to figure mine out, I figured I would break something if I kept messing around. I have watched several of your videos, you put forth an honest effort and a quality product. Thanks, keep it up! (Subscribed)
@@geezerracing2895 yeah I have seen many launch control fail videos like that as well. Thank you for the kind words and I really appreciate the subscribe!
Love the yxz but definitely prefer the third pedal over sport shift. A halfway skilled person can out launch the ss especially in a variety of conditions. Because it's a sequential dog box transmission the clutch isn't needed while changing gears so yes absolutely the manual shifts just as fast if not faster. Loosing the ability to modulate the power or bring the rpm up with the clutch is a huge downside imo.
I’m going to buy a SxS sometime this week and I don’t know what I want. If I have to spend over 20k, then I’ll register it and drive it to work, but I think a rzr 900, commander 800, or the RMax 850 is what I want. Plus, they’re only about 15k. I’ve always been a Honda guy, so I would love a Talon.
Awesome! Any of those are pretty solid. The one issue with buying 800s, 900s, 850s would be that some replacement parts and aftermarket parts aren’t as readily available since the 1000s are much more popular. If you’re interested in a Talon I would definitely look into them. For a little bit more $ the talon is a lot more machine. You would be a lot happier with more travel, more clearance and the i4wd. That talon is a tough machine. As long as you get out on the trail and have some fun that’s all that matters though.
I currently have a 21 Rmax2 1500 miles never any issue 10 year belt warranty so not every belt machine is the same but I have been thinking I want the yxz but I see a lot of yxz guys going to rmax and are more happy with it.
If you do mainly slow speed crawling or mudding the Rmax is the way to go. For fast trail riding, and dunes the yxz is the way to go. Just depends on how you want to ride.
Great review. Best part is that unlike all other videos, you did not feel the need to have heavy metal guitar music playing in the background! Just love to hear that engine going thru the gears. Sweet music. Does sound like a street bike. I dislike the CVT's and belts. The Yamaha drivetrain seems bulletproof. Test drove all of the Polaris SXS's recently and just didn't like the need to rev at 4k RPM's just to go walking speed. Question on the powerband. You were shifting way up near redline. How is the torque down low if one short shifted? Is it possible to have a good ride shifting at 4k or 5k RPM's? Have you done any tighter trail riding at slower speeds? Really nice machine!
Thank you, I have added music in previous riding videos but I usually end up removing it. I just love the sound of the yxz engine. The YXZs are pretty reliable. You hear about some lemons here and there but I have a lot of buddies with YXZs and we have all had zero issues. Those things can take a beating. I shift around 9-10,000 rpm’s if I am really ripping. The higher rpm’s is where you get the most power and the shifts are smoother and quicker. You can definitely shift around 4-5,000 rpms but it takes a little longer to accelerate and build speed. If I am just cruising or driving around houses or through town I shift around 5k rpm to keep the noise down for a more relaxing ride and to be courteous and keep the noise down. The yxz builds all of its power at high rpms. If you short shift it will take a little longer to accelerate. It’s very much like a streetbike. Once you mash on the throttle the rpms are up to 9k very quickly. I have done some crawling and tight trails and it was no problem at all it’s just a little more aggressive than a machine with low range would be.
Thats the first I’ve seen from yamaha i own 2 raptors yamaha. A polaris ranger. And just looking into these. Dammit its all I can say it is crazy!!! This my next side by side, God willing. Thanks for content keep it up brother awesome!!!
Great Video!! I absolutely love my 2016 YXZ! I did a lot of upgrades to mine. It's not turbo but have other upgrades and keep up with the turbo cars just fine. The fun factor is very high with the YXZ! Funny story, I went riding with a group of different side by sides and was the only YXZ in the group. Someone told me I was a crazy driver with my car after drifting and taking corners while down shifting. LOL.
I had a car ALWAYS make sure to get in behind us bc he loved hearing the snap of my throttle. At the time I had Graves exhaust tip. Better than that droning dead RZR sound. I HATE being near a RZR. SeaDoo on land but unfortunately have moved into a couple classes above YXZ and Talon..
I figured I would go with the sport machine and eventually get a trailer hitch and pull around my small trailer. Either that or buy a used cheap Kawasaki mule or ranger to do work around the house.
2021 3 peddle car. Anti theft built in as most can't drive around here. Amazing machines for what they are and even "aren't". I built mine to be full street legal in my state and the looks I get are hilarious.
That is true! I have wanted to make mine street legal. I thought it would really make a good video. The glass windshields are really expensive though and I feel like I would break it really quickly.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad lucky Montana doesn't require it. Literally just mirrors and a horn. I did add turn signals just for ease of use. People don't remember what hand signals mean.
1500 miles in 2 years?? You need to ride more. I've got 6500 miles on my 20 RZR XP TURBO. Never had an issue (other than deer). Do general maintenance and I only use Polaris belts (big deal). Mine is tuned and I love the power. I'm glad you're happy with your purchase. To each their own.
Yeah. I have been working on being able to ride more. I lived in west Michigan and had about a 2 hour drive to get to any decent trails. I just moved up to northern Michigan where there are trails everywhere. I’d love a RZR turbo or any turbo sxs. Changing belts really isn’t a big deal. Just trying to list some of the pros and cons of the yxz. It’s not the best out there but definitely fun for the price. As long as you are hittin the trails and havin a good time that’s all that matters right?
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad yeah the belts aren't a big deal. I dont like the idea of belt driven cars but there must be something we don't know. Even Robby Gordon's "perfectly designed" Speed UTV is belt driven. I would just recommend buying your replacement belts from the manufacturer and not aftermarket sellers. That's been my experience anyway.
This is an absolutely great video. Well done. You really showed the ride and speed capabilities...which i feel is usually quite hard to capture. Good job, and keep up the good work.
Great video! Nicely done! I'll be getting my first SXS soon; a 2021 YXZ SS SE or the 2022 YXZ SS SE. One thing that helps(besides upgrading shock springs) with the rear 'buck' is to mount a spare tire on the rear. This changes the suspension geometry on these short wheelbase two seaters. Keep up the good reviews, and safe travels!
I’ve watched this video a few times and several more of your other ones. Thank you for making them and good job. I have a 21 RMAX XTR fir four seater that does everything very well. It’s surprisingly good at rock crawling. But I want an all sport machine too. So next week I’m getting a new to me 21 YXZ XTR SS to match my RMAX. So now I’ll have the minivan 🚐 (RMAX) for the family, and Dad gets his race car 🏎. A new cage really helps the overall look of the machine. The list of parts and goodies I want for it gets a little longer everyday. Priority is making it more Montana winter friendly with a cab. Eventually I’d like to add the low gear crawl box. I always find a rock that needs ran over. Hahaha 🍻
I have a 2019 and it would run 88mph stock. I have upgraded the clutch and that's it. I love mine. I do wish they had a low range. I know there are turbo kits that wil surpass 225 hp now for under 5k. People with big hands like me have trouble with catching fingers in those paddles. I love mine anyways and at least it isn't driven by a damn rubber band. I have had my fill of Polaris belt trouble and Can Am four wheel drive system Is crap. I just ride anyway, and could care less about jumping and mud bogging and stuff like that. When you are approaching 50 like me that stuff looses it's luster...
Yeah, the yxz is still a really fun, reliable machine. Easy to make them pretty fast too. Yamaha needs to get on releasing an updated yxz with a better suspension, factory turbo, and a low gear. A 4 seat option would also really bring in more customers for them as well. I love my yxz still. Best thing I’ve ever bought, I even picked up a second one for my wife.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Yea I will probably ride mine till Yamaha comes out with a turbo model or something then upgrade. I live in the mountains and the trails are tight anyway so speed isn't paramount to me. I would really like to have a crawlbox.
Great overview of the YXZ. I have an older style Commander and will probably be getting a new machine next year and I'm trying to figure out what to get. I want something a little sportier next time around. This machine will be on my list of possible machines to get. Good job.
Great review man!! I was looking at a X3 RR, but no manual shift available. I was hoping they would change that, I should check again. Yamaha has great engineers and are super reliable, I've had and used a lot of their stuff.
The Yamaha yxz and Honda talon are still the only Manual SXSs. They are both really reliable but no factory turbo and a little lacking in the suspension department. I wish they made a manual x3. That would be a blast.
Thanks for the video. I have a 2018 CanAm Maverick 1000 and thinking about upgrading to a newer machine. My issue with belt drive is the lag when put in gear and start applying power to when the trans engages. It feels and sounds like the trans is being ripped out of the machine. Also it sounds like a loud thrashing machine from inside the cockpit. I'd love to have something quiet enough to hear what my passenger is saying...
The yxz is a great machine for the price. I have heard a lot of guys that buy yxzs that came from an OG maverick are really happy with making the switch. As long as you don’t like doing a lot of low speed crawling and mudding you should really like the yxz. The yxz is fairly quiet stock. I could have a conversation while cruising.
We gotta 22 x3 max on 34s as a family rig, always liked yamaha products and the YXZ sounds sweet! Been wanting a 2 seater and the price and manual have me sold! Be a fun lil duner, gonna hafta check one out when they get in stock, nice vid 👌🏻
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad They look fun, no we’d keep the canned ham, Id just use the yamaha for trails and when I wanna go out on my own, a turbo kit would be excellent so long as it stayed reliable!!
I definitely agree that the bighorns suck in sand. I was focused on replacing the tires a while back but I took so long to decide on a set that I like that I ended up getting used to the bighorns in the sand. The sand pulls you all over but after a while it’s predictable how it’s gonna handle. I’d still like to try some different tires. Tires are so expensive that I want to make an informed decision but tire reviews are all over the place. Some people will say a set of tires is amazing and others will say they are the worst tires they’ve ever owned. I’ll make a decision eventually.
With your experience in sand buggies have you ever wanted turning brakes on the rear? I grew up riding in a Glamis sand rail most weekends and now I'm researching UTVs. I figure they would help stabilize these narrow rigs and help keep them upright. Plus I just like using them. I know of three UTVs that might work. The Talon uses the brakes instead of diff lockers, an interrupter switch might work when a turning lever is pulled. The 2018-? CanAm 50" Trail has a rear diff unlock, I wonder why it's limited to their low HP UTV. Some RZR Trails have turf mode but have some problems and again it's on the low HP Trail. Any others? I have sand dunes not far plus I read about a 4x4 rock climber that uses turning brakes instead of rear wheel steer like his buds use and keeps up with them. TY
I recently sold my sand rail with an ecotec swap. I had a turning brake on that because it had a aluminum beam and heavy engine so it wheelies all the time. Turning brakes were necessary on that thing. The Turning brake also helped when you would get stuck to apply power to the correct wheel like a locker. I haven’t needed a turning brake on my yxz. It steers great in the sand and it has a diff lock so I haven’t really thought about it. I have been thinking about adding some additional calipers on the back to run a handbrake. This system would be standalone from my stock brake system. Maybe you could do a similar thing with turning brakes.
So basically no cons lol you got me sold..I don't need a 6 foot wide sxs, I'm not hitting big jumps in my 20k machine, I don't care for a turbo thats prone to fail eventually, and I love the look!
For the type of riding I like to do there are no cons to the yxz. Best value sxs on the market in my opinion. Less than $20k, insanely reliable, and it will do 96mph with a $250 tune to remove the speed limiter.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad yea my buddy just got the 2022 Talon.. I'm a Yamaha guy so I'm definitely looking to get one especially now that I know they have an actual tranny...CVTs scare me lol
I just bought a commander last year but I know my next sxs will be a sport version not sure which one though so I appreciate your review, I am from Michigan also can you say where you were riding as I’m always looking for new areas to ride. Thanks again for your great content
If you do a lot of trail riding you will be so much happier with a sport SXS. Having a bed can be really handy but the suspensions on those machines don't seem to be great. I decided for my situation it would be much better to have a sport SXS that's quick with a decent suspension and put a hitch to pull a trailer than to have a utility SXS with a bed. I live in the Grand Haven Michigan area kinda near the Silver Lake Sand Dunes but we have a cabin in Houghton Lake, Michigan. I do most of my riding in the northern lower peninsula in like Houghton Lake, Baldwin, Leota, Kalkaska and Saint Helen. I like the northern lower peninsula because there are trails everywhere and you can pretty much ride town to town. My parents live about 5 minutes from Bundy Hill Off-road park and I go there often as well. Thank you! So glad you enjoy the channel.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Yes it is .I was always a Honda fan but the YXZ is amazing and the reviews like yours made me try the Yamaha and I am not disappointed mine has the alba package. Dirt Ferrari is the closest comparison I can make to it. Take care
They make an aftermarket crawl box for the yxz that gives the yxz a low gear. I have heard amazing things about the crawl box. I have heard that the crawl box and turbo makes the yxz nearly the perfect machine. Minus some suspension adjustments. It would be way better if Yamaha offered a low gear and turbo from the factory though.
So if I understand you correctly, the only can am you were considering was the top of the line one which obviously is not in the same price point? The base model can am x3 turbo smokes the yxz in nearly every category and has the power potential of the high end x3. All the mods your friend stated about the x3 are not needed unless you're racing them or doing silly stuff. I have a bone stock XRC and haven't had any issues either. Both are great machines and have their pros and cons.
I just knew if I was gonna get a can am I would have to get the 72” because that’s the one I really wanted. I knew even if I bought the DS I would want to convert it to the 72”. My choice was buy the biggest baddest sxs on the Market at the time (x3 xrs). Or buy a sxs that was cheaper and did all the things that I really wanted with the added benefit of shifting. I agree it’s all about riding style when it comes to reliability. I didn’t have any first hand experience with the x3 but the x3 forums seemed to mention a lot more issues. This is understandable though with more power you break more stuff. I’ll probably end up with an X3 or something similar at some point they are an awesome machine.
I own a 2023 razor pro R ultimate with shock therapy Springs and it will eat 3 foot whoops at 75 miles an hour like they never even happened it’s so badass in its proper environment, however however, unfortunately, I live in shit ass north east Ohio and the riding here is really not that great mostly tighter wooded trail type stuff occasionally I’ll take a six hour trip out to Michigan to go to the Sand dunes and the trail systems they have up there sometimes I wonder if I would be better off with a YXz living where I live and the terrain that’s available to me then again I feel like the suspension might beat my back up on a YX. I’m pretty spoiled with big horsepower and big suspension. I don’t know everything is a trade-off. It looks like an interesting little machine that would be fun to drive would like to try one out sometime just to see what I think.
You definitely have the superior machine. The YXZ is great for the price but it’s not even close to the pro R. I think in a lot of ways you would be disappointed as far as the suspension and lack of low gear. The yxz is a lot of fun in the tight trails though. Sometimes it’s more fun to drive something slow fast than it is to drive something fast slow. YXZs have been dropping in price lately. Wouldn’t hurt to have one of each lol.
A 4 seat yxz would be awesome! Yamaha is really falling behind in the sxs market. It’s definitely fun, reliable and you get a lot of machine for much less than a lot of SXSs on the market. I have two yxzs now. I have 2 kids so my wife can take a kid and I can take a kid. It works out pretty well for us but on dusty days a 4 seater would definitely be better so one of us isn’t constantly in a dust cloud. If I had to buy a 4 seater on a budget I would get a Honda talon because of the DCT/manual trans. If I was looking to spend 30k plus I would get an x3 xrs max or wait until they make the Maverick R 4 seater. I saw some spy photos that showed that it’s definitely in the works.
I am a big Yamaha fan. My drums and outboard engine are Yamaha. I am looking to buy a 2024 side-by-side. It's between the Honda and the Yamaha. The main use will be trail and sand riding. Upgrades have been made for both manufacturers since 2019. I was concerned about your comment about the ride comfort. Which manufacturer would you select for all-around riding? Ty
The YXZ is perfect for trails and sand. It sounds and feels like a rally car. It is less good at mud bogging and rock crawling but it can do them. I prefer the YXZ over the Talon just because the yxz is more exciting. High revving engine, cheaper price usually, I like the look and seating position better and just a tune will allow the yxz to go almost 100mph. The YXZ suspension is not bad but its a bit stiff which makes it feel very planted and predictable. Its still leaps and bounds above a utility SXS or a quad. 99% of the time the suspension is perfectly comfortable but when when the trails are absolutely thrashed you do get bounced around a bit. The new high dollar machines definitely take bumps better because they have more travel and larger tires but they are also the price of a small house. I think as far as excitement and bang for your buck the YXZ is the best affordable machine. As far as best all around affordable machine I think probably the Talon has it beat just because it has a low gear which is better for rock crawling and mudding. The YXZ and Talon seem to be the most reliable machines on the market currently but neither have the power, suspension or looks of the top dogs. There really isn't a bad sport SXS on the market right now so there is no real bad choice. I will say the last SXS I would purchase for my riding style currently is the Kawasaki KRX. Its extremely comfortable and capable but its so slow, its really heavy, its a gas hog and has an issue that occurs pretty early into ownership where the clutch components wear out and feels like its shifting even though its a cvt (might be fixed on the newer models but IDK). The best thing to do is find someone that will let you test drive or ride along in whichever SXS you are interested in before you buy. Most SXS owners I know love to give people rides and get them into riding.
Have you considered a different spring rate to make the ride a little softer? I have already decided on the YXZ. I just need to find one. Thank you for the video. Nice to see and hear a review that is to the point.
Thank you! I have been debating on going long travel so I have been waiting to dial in the shocks. I’m still on the fence about long travel because I ride a lot of tighter trails.
Would like to know your thoughts about the 2024 YXZ that is coming out.... I'm thinking about getting one as a second machine. I also noticed that you ride in Michigan, I'd like to do a weekend ride up there (I'm in the Toledo area) what would you recommend. Thanks man!
I think the 2014 with the automatic will definitely be faster since the gear shifts are automated to remove human error. It’s gonna be a while though before tuning companies will have the codes cracked to reprogram the ecu. I would guess the tunes would be a bit more expensive also since they are more involved. I definitely think this will make the yxz a more popular option since more people will be able to drive them. I have always rode dirt bikes and quads and really prefer the manual transmission in the yxz. It’s really easy and a lot of fun. I was really bummed about the 2024 release because I was hoping for an upgraded suspension and a factory turbo but neither happened. If you are coming up to ride in Michigan you are gonna want to go to either the northern lower peninsula or travel up into the U.P. If you want to get a lot of trail riding in I would stay in Houghton Lake, Grayling, Kalkaska, or Fife Lake and ride trails 5,6,7 and 76. I can send you some cool spots to check out if hit me up in email. If you want a more extreme riding experience I would go to Saint Helen. They have big sand bowls, rock crawling, hill climbs and really cool trails. If you go to Saint Helen you could also check out Bull Gap it’s a pretty big sand hill climb. You could also stay around the Baldwin area and ride the “Little O” and “Big O” tails for a day or two and then head over to Silver Lake Sand Dunes for a day or two. There is no lack of places to ride in Northern Michigan. You say you are from Toledo maybe you could check out Bundy Hill Off-road park in Jerome, MI. That’s 5 minutes from where I grew up. That place keeps getting better and better.
Thank you. I’m unsure of the trail number exactly. It’s the North Missaukee route. We cross that bridge when we ride from Kalkaska or Houghton Lake to get to Traverse City. The bridge is on the west side of 131 just after the trail crosses the highway in Wexford just south of Fife Lake. Here is the exact location in google maps: maps.app.goo.gl/4jnEoN22dPAjxYpMA?g_st=ic The trail is on old us 131. Here is the dnr trail map of the trail in that area: www2.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/forestslandwater/ORV/Maps-Trail/mccct_cross_state_connector.pdf
Hey guys 😃, I just wanted to ask if you could give me some recommended parts which should be changed/done after buy just to protect the car for commen issues? Btw, great Video, Love that driving parts 🥰
Absolutely! The Weller rear frame brace is a great mod that really helps strengthen your rear frame. The frame is not weak exactly but it can bend if you take a really hard side impact on the rear wheels- like sliding sideways and catching a rock or tree. It’s also really important to get an aftermarket cage. The stock cage is not the safest and you can find tons of pictures online of the stock YXZ cage crushed. It’s an expensive mod but very necessary. Also as far as safety I would definitely get some racing harnesses. The stock seatbelts don’t hold you secure enough in a big rollover or accident. I have videos on all of those things. Other common issues that I have never encountered is that the steering rack can wear out the mounting holes if it becomes loose and isn’t noticed right away. Weller makes a steering rack support bracket for that. Also I have read that the welds on the yxz drive shaft or the coupler on the driveshaft are prone to breaking with repeated clutch dumps. I have never dealt with this but I plan on installing an Avenger driveshaft to prevent those issues. Other than that there is not much as far as common issues. Some people say that the tie rods are weak and could be upgraded ,especially with larger tires, but I believe the tie rods are designed to be a weak link so that you don’t break more expensive steering components if you accidentally catch a tree or something. Tie rods are cheap and easy to replace compared to the steering rack or power steering system. After you take care of the common issues I would definitely do an exhaust and tune. It really wakes the yxz up and the top speed and throttle response is greatly increased. Hope this helps!
Honestly I have never noticed any bucking in the 3 years I’ve owned it. I do notice it nose diving over jumps. Maybe the bucking is a bigger issue for the desert guys? The yxz suspension is perfect in the trails, it did good rock climbing and was good in the little bit of dunes I have ridden. The suspension is definitely outdated but it’s not as bad as people make it out to be, especially after they watch the shock therapy video on the yxz suspension. The yxz is far from the top dog but you get a lot of bang for your buck.
I have a cheap Nilight Light bar. Its a 42" flat light bar and I took the front light cover off and plasti-dipped the chrome on the face of the lights black. I had a Krash Offroad aftermarket cage built for my yxz because the stock yxz cage is really weak. When I was having the cage made I shipped Krash my light bar and they put the mounting tabs on the cage for it. Here is a link to the light bar I used: amzn.to/3RSsnyQ Here is a link to the video about my cage: ruclips.net/video/FDLvdgWGxnI/видео.html
All Terrain - YXZ - no. I looked at the 2023 YXZ, KRX, RZR Pro, Talon and the X3. I was concerned about the transmission issues on both the Talon and the YXR. Whereas I love Yamahas from the past (125-250 dirt bikes) , I have to say that the YXZ falls short on Rock climbing and river wades. It's fast, sporty and can jump. But weak front a-arms, and not near as universal as the KRX. It's a dune buggy, not all terrain.
I have taken the YXZ crawling a little bit and I was really impressed at how well it did. I did have low expectations though. The 2019+ YXZs have the new gearing and I can crawl pretty slow. Don't get me wrong, it would definitely be much better at crawling or mudding with a low gear, but I was impressed at how well it actually does. The YXZ definitely shines at higher speed trail riding, dunes and short course but its more capable than people would think. I've never heard of the weak a-arm issue honestly. The frame has some weak points for sure but I thought the a-arms hold up pretty well. My buddy that is on the channel has a KRX. It is much better at crawling, mainly due to ground clearance. The KRX is very comfortable and versatile. I have driven the stock KRX multiple times and it could definitely use a tune or something. The acceleration is good but not great and the top speed feels really slow. This might be due to how good the suspension is though. My buddy has been having issues with his KRX clutch. Apparently something is worn in the clutch and you can feel a "shift" when accelerating. I guess this is a common issue. Not bashing on the KRX at all, I just thought if you have a KRX or are considering buying one you may want to look into that.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad - Agree 100%. KRX does not have near the top end of the YXZ and the 2023 YXZ seemed to have better low end torque over the 2022. Trust me, I grew up always having both a YZ and a RM dirt bike because I loved both of them. But they were very different. I looked at the YXZ because of the reliability of Yamaha, its known performance, and it just looks beasty. I wish Yamaha would bring the front wheels out about 6" more. I would also say honestly, that any "High end" Side by Side will need added support for things like shock towers, skid plates, and other things the factory should improve on. That includes the KRX. But we can probably both agree that things could be worse, we could be riding a RZR or CFMoto 🙂 - See ya on the trails !!!!
Looking into either a yxz or x3 but I live in Mississippi and mudding is big down here. Is there a good amount of aftermarket support to make the yxz a more capable mudding machine?
Your gonna have a lot mor options with the x3 as far as upgrades for mudding. I mean they make gear reduction kits and bigger tire setups but you will mostly see a yxz set up for sand dunes, desert or short course racing.
Understandable. It’s not for everyone. The SS is really easy to shift. No clutch pedal and it will auto downshift for you. I don’t even think about shifting or realize I’m doing it honestly. I
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Where did u get front cross bars on the front of roll bar. I have a 2020 YXZ and looking to purchase
I followed your advice and found a 2021 xtr 1000 and added gytr head cams and dasa full exhaust and tune and I absolutely love it best advice I’ve ever taken from a total stranger but thank you it was and wasn’t exactly what you said I opted for the black/green one over black and tan!!! If I had to do it again I’d have the exact same machine and while they do look funny put it in a pack of assorted other sbs and she really stands out looking damn good again if anyone is interested and torn it’s like this if your looking to put around don’t do it but if your looking for something that will run with dirt bikes in the woods this is the toy for you at Hatfield and McCoy trails my wife and daughter drive the yxz me and my 5 sons rip our dirt bikes and she stick’s right there with us….another fine Yamaha off-road toy it fits right there with the rest aka: blaster banshee yz490 raptor it haulsass and hovers through the dirt!!!!
That Side by side hey soon as I heard the motor I was like none of them sound like that then I remembered that Yamaha paddle shifters but it’s still sounds like a street bike👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
If you're gonna leave it stock and enjoy it for what it is then YXZ is fine (I have one as well). But Can AM and RZR have blown way way way way past YXZ TRX and Talon. If I bought a new YXZ today I would have 35K+ in it to be able to ride with all the RZR bros. Mine has all the external eng upgrades and Shock Therapy and cage and 30s etc etc but it's still unbelievably outdated. I live out west with all the big cars and big $$ and my moderately pimped out YXZ is a toy in comparison. WHY doesn't Yamaha take our bitchin powertrain and adapt it to an upgraded chassis??? The brand new RZR is in extreme buggy category with 29" of travel and more HP than my old 5.0 Mustang! We have 17" of travel still. AND CAN AM redesigned their car I'm sure to adapt a big motor in the near future. I like Talon too but you won't like riding with RZRs they will blow you away bc they have far superior suspension and it's not even close. I just can't buy a belt car but if YAM or HON doesn't step up I might have to..
@@FORTYSIX_N2 I agree. The YXZ is still a great machine and you get a lot for your money but Yamaha is definitely far behind in the SXS market these days. I am holding out in hopes that they will come out with a new sport SXS with a factory turbo, more suspension travel, and a low gear. I don't know if we will ever see one though. I like the new Maverick R a lot but I cant make myself pay that much and Im not exactly in love with the look.
My Polaris Razor died (engine, clutch were gone). I got tired of constantly have to repair it. I just bought a 2021 YXZ. It is so far a greater experience!
Awesome! I hope it remains reliable for you.
hows the YXZ? i just bought mine yesterday a brand new 2020
Good overview. I’ve owned both a 17 and now a 20 ss se. the updates done in 2019 make it feel like a completely different machine. The changes to the valving in the suspension and the gearing made it way more capable then previous generations. Also the 29” tires are now an 8 ply tire. 3400 kms now and I have yet to puncture one. The 6 ply 2.0 horns on the 17 would go flat if you looked at them funny. Wouldn’t trade my Y for anything on the market right now. Not the highest performing but definitely the most fun in my opinion. And I’ve tried quite a few different models.
Thanks! really good info. I have always heard terrible things about bighorns but I have had zero issues with mine. I have hit a lot of things that I thought for sure would puncture my tires. It must be because I have the 8 ply.
"Man that is a beautiful piece of machinery." I just bought a 2022 base model SS and I say the same thing every time I look at it. Honestly I can't even go past half throttle before I feel like I'm going too fast. Very happy with it man.
really glad to hear that! Yeah a lot of people don't realize how fast the yxz is.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad yes! Love you videos man given me ideas for mine. See you in the next one
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad To be fair, when hooning a UTV like this about, it's not actually about how fast you can go anyway, but rather how _long_ you can go fast for.
But my question is this: why is it more about how long you can go fast for rather than outright speed?
16:50 After my dad's buddy got one we went out to kind of test it, but after a bit we softened the suspension on all corners and the difference in ride quality was astounding.
I just bought a house with a lot more property. I’m hoping to f get my suspension dialed in soon
Spot on assessment! I agree with everything you said, I've owned multiple rzrs and I prefer my 19 yxz. I ride mostly dunes and it rips..Love your channel.
I rented a RZR 1000 once and I really didn't like the floaty-ness of it. It definitely didn't feel as planted as the yxz does. The suspension was quite a bit smoother though. Thank you for the kind words I really appreciate it.
I’ve been on the fence between the yxz and x3 as well and considering buying an older yxz versus a new one. This helped out a lot. Thank you!
Thank you! I'm really glad it helped.
Put one of my 2017 thru the ice and under the water on the great lakes and two hours later finally got it out. After changing all the fluids multiple times, it still runs fabulous. I wrote off my ss yxz at glamis and now glad to have the manuals.
That’s impressive that it ran well after being submerged. That’s crazy. I would like to try a 3 pedal and see how it compares. I mainly do fast trail riding and the ss is awesome for that. There has been a few time hill climbing when I was rolling backwards and reaching for a clutch pedal that wasn’t there. I feel like taking off by dropping the clutch would be much better than the ss launch control. I feel like the launch control is too difficult to be useful. Maybe I’m not smart enough to use it.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Paid $800 to weller racing to do my clutch after hours. Wonderful people. While on holidays climbing hills in Arizona. My fault, didn't understand little yellow light was clutch slipping on a hill were I could not turn around. First yxz was the SS so the wife and kids would find it easier. Try the manual if you can. I love being more involved.
Totally agree with your reasoning. I bought one of the first YXZ's (2016) I could not wait for the sport shift! Soon as I saw three pedals and it was Yamaha I was sold! I regret nothing! Sure it is not perfect but the sound and the revs in the dunes, It's the most fun. I've upgraded a bit but that's part of the fun with these. Only ever tore the sidewall on one tire in 5 years. For rock crawling I would go with the KRX, built like a tank for around 20K. May actually buy the 4 seat Rmax when I retire but will keep the YXZ for the dunes. Really enjoy your videos!
Thank you! I have been looking at the RMAX as well. I could use more seats for the family. It looks like a really capable machine.
I’m with you on these reasons I went with this as my first sxs. So far 1300 trouble free miles on my 19 YXZ SS SE
I lucked up and got mine at $16,500.00 with 91 miles. It was bought then traded back in on a pioneer 1000. Salesman told me the guys wife didn’t like it and she wouldn’t let the grandkids ride in it
wow that is lucky. I feel bad for the poor guy who had to go from a yxz to a pioneer lol.
You just sold me the Yamaha! Thanks for your input and first hand honesty! Straight forward video thank you!
It’s a great machine for the price for sure. If you get one let me know what you think of it. Thank you!
Spot on vid. I started with the krx for its room and beefiness for rock crawling but found i much preferred the dunes. I bought a 22 yxz ss xtr and wont look back. Its plenty fast and and reliable and uses HALF the fuel as my krx did. Cheers
The yxz is definitely more fun to drive on my opinion. As long as your back can handle the ride of the yxz it’s definitely a lot more exhilarating. The KRX is definitely a gas hog. I couldn’t believe how much gas it goes through. The krx is comfortable and great at crawling but the yxz fits my style of riding perfectly.
The Yamaha YXZ is hands down the best SXS on the market! I put almost 5000 miles on a 2017 without a hiccup! My buddy has a 2016 and a 2019 with a turbo…both rock solid!
Definitely the best value SXS on the market.
@notAdvised no where near as fun as the manual sequential or paddles
I just bought a 2017 YXZ SS SE with 104 actual miles on it, looks like it just came off of the showroom floor. So much fun to drive, unless of course you are rock crawling, then not so much.
That’s a good find. Yea not much ground clearance for rock crawling.
Writing a couple years later, but, I've wanted the yxz since they came out, got a z950 instead, some learn the hard way and I'll probably lose alot selling the 950. But with the yxz I know I'd be smiling ear to ear. Nice video, thx
All of these utv makers should make models that are 60 inches and under for us guys that like to make our own way through tight trails and woods.
I think most the manufacturers make a 64” version of their sport SXSs except for Kawasaki. I think only Polaris, arctic cat/textron and can an offer 50” versions to fit down a quad trail. I’d like to pick up a narrow rzr 800 or 900 and get into some tighter trails. Wide trails aren’t as exciting.
Very informative video! I moved to Kanab Utah recently, and one of the reasons (besides the incredible landscape) was to eventually purchase a YZX. There are hundreds of miles of trails here, I’m told by many. Can’t wait to explore them! I’ve heard that the YXZ’s aren’t the best for rock crawling, but that type of riding doesn’t really appeal to me. I believe that’s why they have so many different machines, depends on what type of riding you want to do. Rented a 50 inch razor up in Marysvale, had a blast riding the awesome Paiute trail system, but my heart is with the YZX. Had a 79 Yamaha XS1100 for 31 years, very reliable machine until my near fatal motorcycle accident. T boned by an 18 year old girl. 17 surgeries on my left leg to keep it, it was brutal. Last day on a motorcycle. But Yamaha makes great motors in my opinion. Drive a Vette now instead! Can’t wait to get a YXZ, love to see the new ones, 2022.
New subscriber here, thanks for listening! 😉
Thank you! If you are a fast paced type of driver you will love the yxz. Sorry to hear about the accident, glad you made it out alive. If you enjoyed the 50” rzr then you will definitely like the yxz. I really hope to make it out riding in Utah some day. It looks amazing. Thanks for subscribing!
I had a 2020 yxz SS SE, but had to sell it after 3000km because of school. But it is the most insane sidebyside I have ever owned, and I have been trying other sidebyside after I sold mine and all other cars seems so boring compared to this insane Yamaha. Will probably buy one of these again, because of the fun factor and reliability.
It’s definitely a great SXS for the price. Mine has been absolutely reliable. I’ve tried a few other SXSs and it didn’t feel as fun or planted. I have never gotten to try a turbo sxs yet though.
Very well said, I agree with you on just about everything you mentioned, I bought my 21 yxz xtr for fast trail riding and reliability, love it so far
Thank you! I really like the xtr model. The tires look like they would work better than bighorns. Also the winch would be real handy.
I have owned two YXZ's, both the 2016 SE and 2019 SS SE. I put on 17K miles between the two of them. I had several issues with my 2016, the gearing was way too high and I blew out the clutch in it, seals went bad, suspension was way too stiff, etc. I spent a ton of money on it to bring it up to my liking. I sold it after three years and bought the 2019 SS SE. I loved the sport shift, Yamaha made several improvements in the 2019 and newer models. I put 8K miles on my 2019 and sold it to get a four seater. My biggest complaint overall for the YXZ was the resale of the machine. Here is Utah the YXZ is not very popular, and they do not hold their value. With my 2016, even with a ton of upgrades I sold it for 11500. I contacted 5 Yamaha dealers, and none of them would take it on trade for a 2019 I was interested in. I got a better price out of my 2019, but I think it was due to COVID and the pure lack of inventory in the marketplace. I personally believe that Yamaha is putting their marketing dollars into the sport utility segment like the RMAX and not the pure sport segment. All of their factory racers have left for either Polaris or Can Am.
Yeah. I am afraid Yamaha is definitely falling behind in the sport sxs market. I’m hoping they come out with something new and really awesome soon but it’s looking doubtful.
I had 2016 and just traded it for 2023, it’s awesome I’m from the northeast and the better gearing is a total game changer!
I’ve never tried a 2016-2018 yxz but I’ve heard that a lot of people are much happier with the gearing as well as less heat in the cab and easier to keep the radiator clean on the 2019+
My 21’ turbo S has 200hrs on the OE trans, turbo, and engine. I am clutched, tuned, and belts are not an issue. I change them out at 75hrs but they never really need it. I wouldn’t shy away from a Polaris. They’re great machines too with amazing suspension
I really like the Turbo S. If I had to switch to a Polaris right now thats probably what I would buy since I don't have the extra funds to buy a Pro R. I'm not really scared to get a cvt machine. I've had snowmobiles all my life and I know its not really a big deal. If you have the clutches properly aligned, a better belt and possibly upgraded clutches you shouldn't have much issue.
As a yxz owner I'd say you covered it quite well, excellent review.
Much appreciated!
YXZ is a truly special experience in a world of conformity. We need all of the exposure we can get to rally the few of us left haha. Long live the manual!!
@@michaeldavison430 EXACTLY!
I have a Talon. My neighbor has a YXZ. We love them both.
one of the demos and reviews I've seen in a long. thanks it was a huge help answering any questions i had!!
Awesome! Thank you!
Thank you so much. I'm wanting a side by side.... Your review just sealed the deal for me!!! I love Yamaha.... I'm ordering one. Thank you.
Glad the video helped. You will love it.
Thanks for your honest review. I currently have a deposit for a 2023 x3. All said and done it will be over 40k. I’ll check out the Yamaha before making a final decision.
The x3 is awesome but they are super pricey. Definitely a good idea to check both out in person, sit in them and hopefully drive them before you buy.
Ok, hang on, wait a minute, before you bash us 3 pedal car guys, just know as good as the SS model is, we enjoy our 3 pedal rigs just the same!
It's not about how easy it is to drive for us, yet we enjoy the the experience.
Belts over clutch cars doesn't matter, its all about performance, and those of us that love the 3 pedal cars, we love to drive them!
Gave you a like and a sub.
Awesome! really appreciate it. Not trying to bash lol! I love them all. 3 pedal and SS both have their pros and cons. You are right, its all about enjoying the drive.
I feel like it would be super annoying on slow technical trails
@@Smith39234 yeah it most certainly is!
Thats not what the yxz was made for, however you can build the yxz to do tight technical trails.
TubeWorks offers a 70/30 gear reduction kit, but ultimately if technical stuff is your fancy both Weismann and crawlforce offer a crawl box mod that will give you a high and low range.
Best part about a crawl box is you don't have to sacrifice the high speed for the ability to crawl.
Not sure on the cost through crawlforce, but the weismann kit is about 5k.
Try backing off the compression and adjust your rebound accordingly. And back off the spring rate with the nut on top of the shock. That should help with the harshness with the suspension
Thank you! I will definitely try it.
I love my 2019 YXZ 1000r SS SE. I have so much fun riding in Arizona and going to the dunes. Like your video and pretty much agree with your pros and cons. I just hit 3000 miles and haven't had any issues at all. I would like to upgrade to a turbo someday. I ride a lot with "Dune ATV" .
Thank you! I had been considering a turbo but I figured I would wait and see if Yamaha ever comes out with a 72" wide factory turbo machine with a trailing arm suspension and a manual transmission. I am not holding my breath on that one though. One big reason I chose to buy my YXZ was because of Dune YXZ's (now ATV) videos. He was just so passionate about the YXZ and always had great things to say about it. Not to mention I couldn't find a SXS video where he wasn't in the comments supporting YXZs. Hard to believe he kicked the YXZ to the curb LOL.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Yes, Dune ATV is why I bought the YXZ. I had a Can Am Maverick 2014 first and had lots of fun on it, but when I drove his YXZ it was so much better for the reasons you mentioned. I wish he still had his because I really miss following him at the dunes.
Enjoy your channel.
Yep I have a 19 and live in Nevada and Williams AZ. This machine just loves the west coast riding. Anyone riding out east has to come out west and ride to really appreciate what the YXZ can do.
@@boatlakemead1 I would really love to get out that way some day. Its a reeeaaally long drive from Michigan. I would definitely need a better trailer to go that far.
Wild Bill!!! I still love the YXZ!
I have a 2021 yxzr ss. Just got back from the dunes. I agree with you 100% on this video. I don't need or want a turbo this machine don't need it. No belt usage here. Go yamaha
Thanks! Yeah you definitely can’t beat a yxz for the price.
Well done, much like my experience, 2020 SS Turbo with 1700 miles, had to replace front brake pads at 1,600 mile service other than that, I had to adjust a door striker. Thanks for the video!
Its awesome that its still really reliable even with the turbo.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad I'm real happy with it, I have to say the launch control is so wonky, the 3 pedal would be better for drag racing but for all else the SS rocks!
@@geezerracing2895 I totally agree! I never use launch control when Im drag racing. I have a terrible time getting mine in launch control to work well for me. You have to get the sequence, timing and RPMs just right for it to be useful. I didnt know if it was just me struggling with it or if it is a common struggle. My machine is tuned so I thought maybe that had some effect on the launch control but maybe not.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad When I watch a drag race video and I see a YXZ sitting on the line after everyone left, I chuckle because I know how he feels. I stopped trying to figure mine out, I figured I would break something if I kept messing around. I have watched several of your videos, you put forth an honest effort and a quality product. Thanks, keep it up! (Subscribed)
@@geezerracing2895 yeah I have seen many launch control fail videos like that as well. Thank you for the kind words and I really appreciate the subscribe!
It sounds like a rally car!!! Straight cut gearbox sounds and everything!
Glad to watch your video i was deciding between the yxz and a rzr going with the yxz now for sure
Awesome! I don’t think you will be disappointed.
Love the yxz but definitely prefer the third pedal over sport shift. A halfway skilled person can out launch the ss especially in a variety of conditions. Because it's a sequential dog box transmission the clutch isn't needed while changing gears so yes absolutely the manual shifts just as fast if not faster. Loosing the ability to modulate the power or bring the rpm up with the clutch is a huge downside imo.
I would like the ability to pop the clutch at takeoff. The launch control works ok but it’s not very intuitive.
I’m going to buy a SxS sometime this week and I don’t know what I want. If I have to spend over 20k, then I’ll register it and drive it to work, but I think a rzr 900, commander 800, or the RMax 850 is what I want. Plus, they’re only about 15k. I’ve always been a Honda guy, so I would love a Talon.
Awesome! Any of those are pretty solid. The one issue with buying 800s, 900s, 850s would be that some replacement parts and aftermarket parts aren’t as readily available since the 1000s are much more popular. If you’re interested in a Talon I would definitely look into them. For a little bit more $ the talon is a lot more machine. You would be a lot happier with more travel, more clearance and the i4wd. That talon is a tough machine. As long as you get out on the trail and have some fun that’s all that matters though.
One of the best, on-point reviews...was thinking of a purchase now...it's a done deal. Thank you for all of the pointers
Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words. I hope you enjoy the yxz.
Manual is a must ! Terrific video I love how you just hammer out all the important points
Thank you for your support!!
We just got our 2022 yxz 1000 last April and I love it
Awesome! What color did you get?
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Yamaha team blue
Got me a 18 yxz a year ago never drove it till today and yes a i agree with you nice review
as an ex X3 owner - I like this video & concur
Thanks you for the review it really help me in making a decision in buying one of these machines.
I currently have a 21 Rmax2 1500 miles never any issue 10 year belt warranty so not every belt machine is the same but I have been thinking I want the yxz but I see a lot of yxz guys going to rmax and are more happy with it.
If you do mainly slow speed crawling or mudding the Rmax is the way to go. For fast trail riding, and dunes the yxz is the way to go. Just depends on how you want to ride.
Great review. Also congratulations on the new world record of saying YXZ. Must have trained hard. You earn it.
Thanks, When you record yourself and watch it back it’s crazy how many words you overuse lol.
Great review. Best part is that unlike all other videos, you did not feel the need to have heavy metal guitar music playing in the background! Just love to hear that engine going thru the gears. Sweet music. Does sound like a street bike. I dislike the CVT's and belts. The Yamaha drivetrain seems bulletproof. Test drove all of the Polaris SXS's recently and just didn't like the need to rev at 4k RPM's just to go walking speed. Question on the powerband. You were shifting way up near redline. How is the torque down low if one short shifted? Is it possible to have a good ride shifting at 4k or 5k RPM's? Have you done any tighter trail riding at slower speeds? Really nice machine!
Thank you, I have added music in previous riding videos but I usually end up removing it. I just love the sound of the yxz engine. The YXZs are pretty reliable. You hear about some lemons here and there but I have a lot of buddies with YXZs and we have all had zero issues. Those things can take a beating. I shift around 9-10,000 rpm’s if I am really ripping. The higher rpm’s is where you get the most power and the shifts are smoother and quicker. You can definitely shift around 4-5,000 rpms but it takes a little longer to accelerate and build speed. If I am just cruising or driving around houses or through town I shift around 5k rpm to keep the noise down for a more relaxing ride and to be courteous and keep the noise down. The yxz builds all of its power at high rpms. If you short shift it will take a little longer to accelerate. It’s very much like a streetbike. Once you mash on the throttle the rpms are up to 9k very quickly. I have done some crawling and tight trails and it was no problem at all it’s just a little more aggressive than a machine with low range would be.
Man this thing would be a blast on the lumber roads in NB Canada.
Sure would!
I'm from nb Canada , i just bought a 2024 yxz1000rss an love it. I find im running outta gears on the big roads
Thats the first I’ve seen from yamaha i own 2 raptors yamaha. A polaris ranger. And just looking into these. Dammit its all I can say it is crazy!!! This my next side by side, God willing. Thanks for content keep it up brother awesome!!!
Thank you! Yeah they are definitely an awesome machine for the price and absolutely reliable.
Great Video!! I absolutely love my 2016 YXZ! I did a lot of upgrades to mine. It's not turbo but have other upgrades and keep up with the turbo cars just fine. The fun factor is very high with the YXZ! Funny story, I went riding with a group of different side by sides and was the only YXZ in the group. Someone told me I was a crazy driver with my car after drifting and taking corners while down shifting. LOL.
Thank you. It’s definitely fun. Not the most power, not the most suspension but still insanely fun.
I had a car ALWAYS make sure to get in behind us bc he loved hearing the snap of my throttle. At the time I had Graves exhaust tip. Better than that droning dead RZR sound. I HATE being near a RZR. SeaDoo on land but unfortunately have moved into a couple classes above YXZ and Talon..
Someday I'd like to pick one of these up or a rmax. The rmax would be a better machine for work use but the yxz looks so fun!
I figured I would go with the sport machine and eventually get a trailer hitch and pull around my small trailer. Either that or buy a used cheap Kawasaki mule or ranger to do work around the house.
Looks are a huge thing for me , they are so funky lookin . It’s like they tried to make it look like a raptor
It’s definitely a grower not a shower. They are fun though.
thanks so much for this!!! i like to go to Baja and hate burning up belts!
You’re welcome. Yeah. Belts are a pain in those conditions
2021 3 peddle car. Anti theft built in as most can't drive around here. Amazing machines for what they are and even "aren't". I built mine to be full street legal in my state and the looks I get are hilarious.
That is true! I have wanted to make mine street legal. I thought it would really make a good video. The glass windshields are really expensive though and I feel like I would break it really quickly.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad lucky Montana doesn't require it. Literally just mirrors and a horn. I did add turn signals just for ease of use. People don't remember what hand signals mean.
How do you have a 21 with a clutch pedal? I thought they were all 2 pedals with paddles.
@@davidpalmer8419 dealer in North Dakota called me after a waiting list. They are still pumping out 3 pedals.
@@matty8272 yeah I looked into it and I was 100% wrong. Dumb question but do you still push in clutch when shifting through gears?
1500 miles in 2 years?? You need to ride more. I've got 6500 miles on my 20 RZR XP TURBO. Never had an issue (other than deer). Do general maintenance and I only use Polaris belts (big deal). Mine is tuned and I love the power.
I'm glad you're happy with your purchase. To each their own.
Yeah. I have been working on being able to ride more. I lived in west Michigan and had about a 2 hour drive to get to any decent trails. I just moved up to northern Michigan where there are trails everywhere. I’d love a RZR turbo or any turbo sxs. Changing belts really isn’t a big deal. Just trying to list some of the pros and cons of the yxz. It’s not the best out there but definitely fun for the price. As long as you are hittin the trails and havin a good time that’s all that matters right?
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad yeah the belts aren't a big deal. I dont like the idea of belt driven cars but there must be something we don't know. Even Robby Gordon's "perfectly designed" Speed UTV is belt driven.
I would just recommend buying your replacement belts from the manufacturer and not aftermarket sellers. That's been my experience anyway.
This is an absolutely great video. Well done. You really showed the ride and speed capabilities...which i feel is usually quite hard to capture. Good job, and keep up the good work.
Thank you! I really appreciate it
Great video! Nicely done! I'll be getting my first SXS soon; a 2021 YXZ SS SE or the 2022 YXZ SS SE. One thing that helps(besides upgrading shock springs) with the rear 'buck' is to mount a spare tire on the rear. This changes the suspension geometry on these short wheelbase two seaters. Keep up the good reviews, and safe travels!
I’m going to mess with some suspension settings soon and get it close to good then maybe add some weight on the back.
You will still need to revalve your shocks. Weller Racing did mine and it was night and day. I did the spare tire in the rear but that wasn't enough.
Adding weight doesn’t change geometry.
I’ve watched this video a few times and several more of your other ones. Thank you for making them and good job. I have a 21 RMAX XTR fir four seater that does everything very well. It’s surprisingly good at rock crawling. But I want an all sport machine too. So next week I’m getting a new to me 21 YXZ XTR SS to match my RMAX. So now I’ll have the minivan 🚐 (RMAX) for the family, and Dad gets his race car 🏎. A new cage really helps the overall look of the machine. The list of parts and goodies I want for it gets a little longer everyday. Priority is making it more Montana winter friendly with a cab. Eventually I’d like to add the low gear crawl box. I always find a rock that needs ran over. Hahaha 🍻
I already hit that subscribe button. Cheers 🍻
Those two machines would be an awesome combo. I’ve heard really good things about the crawl box. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it.
I have a 2019 and it would run 88mph stock. I have upgraded the clutch and that's it. I love mine. I do wish they had a low range. I know there are turbo kits that wil surpass 225 hp now for under 5k. People with big hands like me have trouble with catching fingers in those paddles. I love mine anyways and at least it isn't driven by a damn rubber band. I have had my fill of Polaris belt trouble and Can Am four wheel drive system Is crap. I just ride anyway, and could care less about jumping and mud bogging and stuff like that. When you are approaching 50 like me that stuff looses it's luster...
Yeah, the yxz is still a really fun, reliable machine. Easy to make them pretty fast too. Yamaha needs to get on releasing an updated yxz with a better suspension, factory turbo, and a low gear. A 4 seat option would also really bring in more customers for them as well. I love my yxz still. Best thing I’ve ever bought, I even picked up a second one for my wife.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Yea I will probably ride mine till Yamaha comes out with a turbo model or something then upgrade. I live in the mountains and the trails are tight anyway so speed isn't paramount to me. I would really like to have a crawlbox.
Great overview of the YXZ. I have an older style Commander and will probably be getting a new machine next year and I'm trying to figure out what to get. I want something a little sportier next time around. This machine will be on my list of possible machines to get. Good job.
Thank you! The YXZ would be a great step up from the commander and it’s affordable.
Great review man!! I was looking at a X3 RR, but no manual shift available. I was hoping they would change that, I should check again. Yamaha has great engineers and are super reliable, I've had and used a lot of their stuff.
The Yamaha yxz and Honda talon are still the only Manual SXSs. They are both really reliable but no factory turbo and a little lacking in the suspension department. I wish they made a manual x3. That would be a blast.
Thanks for the video. I have a 2018 CanAm Maverick 1000 and thinking about upgrading to a newer machine. My issue with belt drive is the lag when put in gear and start applying power to when the trans engages. It feels and sounds like the trans is being ripped out of the machine. Also it sounds like a loud thrashing machine from inside the cockpit. I'd love to have something quiet enough to hear what my passenger is saying...
The yxz is a great machine for the price. I have heard a lot of guys that buy yxzs that came from an OG maverick are really happy with making the switch. As long as you don’t like doing a lot of low speed crawling and mudding you should really like the yxz. The yxz is fairly quiet stock. I could have a conversation while cruising.
We gotta 22 x3 max on 34s as a family rig, always liked yamaha products and the YXZ sounds sweet! Been wanting a 2 seater and the price and manual have me sold! Be a fun lil duner, gonna hafta check one out when they get in stock, nice vid 👌🏻
Thank you! Might want a YXZ with a turbo if you’re coming from an X3. You might miss some of that power. The YXZ is a blast though.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad They look fun, no we’d keep the canned ham, Id just use the yamaha for trails and when I wanna go out on my own, a turbo kit would be excellent so long as it stayed reliable!!
I just bought a 2023 yxz yesterday.
I have a 2019 and it's bad ass! The big horn tires suck in the sand..I send it hard! But I change oil and transmission fluid regularly.
I definitely agree that the bighorns suck in sand. I was focused on replacing the tires a while back but I took so long to decide on a set that I like that I ended up getting used to the bighorns in the sand. The sand pulls you all over but after a while it’s predictable how it’s gonna handle. I’d still like to try some different tires. Tires are so expensive that I want to make an informed decision but tire reviews are all over the place. Some people will say a set of tires is amazing and others will say they are the worst tires they’ve ever owned. I’ll make a decision eventually.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad that's why I still run my big horns. I just make them work
👍👊
With your experience in sand buggies have you ever wanted turning brakes on the rear? I grew up riding in a Glamis sand rail most weekends and now I'm researching UTVs. I figure they would help stabilize these narrow rigs and help keep them upright. Plus I just like using them. I know of three UTVs that might work. The Talon uses the brakes instead of diff lockers, an interrupter switch might work when a turning lever is pulled. The 2018-? CanAm 50" Trail has a rear diff unlock, I wonder why it's limited to their low HP UTV. Some RZR Trails have turf mode but have some problems and again it's on the low HP Trail. Any others? I have sand dunes not far plus I read about a 4x4 rock climber that uses turning brakes instead of rear wheel steer like his buds use and keeps up with them. TY
I recently sold my sand rail with an ecotec swap. I had a turning brake on that because it had a aluminum beam and heavy engine so it wheelies all the time. Turning brakes were necessary on that thing. The Turning brake also helped when you would get stuck to apply power to the correct wheel like a locker. I haven’t needed a turning brake on my yxz. It steers great in the sand and it has a diff lock so I haven’t really thought about it. I have been thinking about adding some additional calipers on the back to run a handbrake. This system would be standalone from my stock brake system. Maybe you could do a similar thing with turning brakes.
So basically no cons lol you got me sold..I don't need a 6 foot wide sxs, I'm not hitting big jumps in my 20k machine, I don't care for a turbo thats prone to fail eventually, and I love the look!
For the type of riding I like to do there are no cons to the yxz. Best value sxs on the market in my opinion. Less than $20k, insanely reliable, and it will do 96mph with a $250 tune to remove the speed limiter.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad yea my buddy just got the 2022 Talon.. I'm a Yamaha guy so I'm definitely looking to get one especially now that I know they have an actual tranny...CVTs scare me lol
2021 YXZ 1/4-mile: 12.72 sec. @ 105.51 mph
Dang! That’s quick.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Yep
Good review bud. Sound is a big deal to me, love Yamaha. Really like your video. Thanks a lot.
Thank you!
Really well done video. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
i have the 2019 model but not the last one. i love that ssv very fun
Love the sound of the transmission.
That’s good because it makes a lot of sounds
I just bought a commander last year but I know my next sxs will be a sport version not sure which one though so I appreciate your review, I am from Michigan also can you say where you were riding as I’m always looking for new areas to ride.
Thanks again for your great content
If you do a lot of trail riding you will be so much happier with a sport SXS. Having a bed can be really handy but the suspensions on those machines don't seem to be great. I decided for my situation it would be much better to have a sport SXS that's quick with a decent suspension and put a hitch to pull a trailer than to have a utility SXS with a bed. I live in the Grand Haven Michigan area kinda near the Silver Lake Sand Dunes but we have a cabin in Houghton Lake, Michigan. I do most of my riding in the northern lower peninsula in like Houghton Lake, Baldwin, Leota, Kalkaska and Saint Helen. I like the northern lower peninsula because there are trails everywhere and you can pretty much ride town to town. My parents live about 5 minutes from Bundy Hill Off-road park and I go there often as well. Thank you! So glad you enjoy the channel.
Great video man! I will be purchasing soon and this helped a ton. Love these machines
Thank you! They are a blast. Keep the rpms up for smooth shifting and you will love it.
You are living my dream life bro❤👊
Thanks man! Really means a lot to me.
No belt paddle shift I own 2017 love it many videos on youtube on the durability and reliability alba makes good stuff for these Love mine
It’s an amazing machine for the price
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad Yes it is .I was always a Honda fan but the YXZ is amazing and the reviews like yours made me try the Yamaha and I am not disappointed mine has the alba package. Dirt Ferrari is the closest comparison I can make to it. Take care
I love YXZ's but they should have a low range. If Yamaha put a 2 speed case in there and a turbo, it would be my favorite machine.
They make an aftermarket crawl box for the yxz that gives the yxz a low gear. I have heard amazing things about the crawl box. I have heard that the crawl box and turbo makes the yxz nearly the perfect machine. Minus some suspension adjustments. It would be way better if Yamaha offered a low gear and turbo from the factory though.
should be a six speed, I bought one the first ones released, I told the yamaha rep that the first time I drove it.
So if I understand you correctly, the only can am you were considering was the top of the line one which obviously is not in the same price point? The base model can am x3 turbo smokes the yxz in nearly every category and has the power potential of the high end x3.
All the mods your friend stated about the x3 are not needed unless you're racing them or doing silly stuff. I have a bone stock XRC and haven't had any issues either.
Both are great machines and have their pros and cons.
I just knew if I was gonna get a can am I would have to get the 72” because that’s the one I really wanted. I knew even if I bought the DS I would want to convert it to the 72”. My choice was buy the biggest baddest sxs on the Market at the time (x3 xrs). Or buy a sxs that was cheaper and did all the things that I really wanted with the added benefit of shifting. I agree it’s all about riding style when it comes to reliability. I didn’t have any first hand experience with the x3 but the x3 forums seemed to mention a lot more issues. This is understandable though with more power you break more stuff. I’ll probably end up with an X3 or something similar at some point they are an awesome machine.
Excellent review! I need to trade my wolverine x2 in on one of these.
Thank you. Yeah that if you are coming from a wolverine you should love the yxz. As long as you don’t need to haul much that is.
This video helped alot , was undecided on x3 or yxz.
Awesome! Good to hear
I own a 2023 razor pro R ultimate with shock therapy Springs and it will eat 3 foot whoops at 75 miles an hour like they never even happened it’s so badass in its proper environment, however however, unfortunately, I live in shit ass north east Ohio and the riding here is really not that great mostly tighter wooded trail type stuff occasionally I’ll take a six hour trip out to Michigan to go to the Sand dunes and the trail systems they have up there sometimes I wonder if I would be better off with a YXz living where I live and the terrain that’s available to me then again I feel like the suspension might beat my back up on a YX. I’m pretty spoiled with big horsepower and big suspension. I don’t know everything is a trade-off. It looks like an interesting little machine that would be fun to drive would like to try one out sometime just to see what I think.
You definitely have the superior machine. The YXZ is great for the price but it’s not even close to the pro R. I think in a lot of ways you would be disappointed as far as the suspension and lack of low gear. The yxz is a lot of fun in the tight trails though. Sometimes it’s more fun to drive something slow fast than it is to drive something fast slow. YXZs have been dropping in price lately. Wouldn’t hurt to have one of each lol.
Really wish Yamaha would make a 4 seater, that would solve my problem of choosing a SxS .
A 4 seat yxz would be awesome! Yamaha is really falling behind in the sxs market. It’s definitely fun, reliable and you get a lot of machine for much less than a lot of SXSs on the market. I have two yxzs now. I have 2 kids so my wife can take a kid and I can take a kid. It works out pretty well for us but on dusty days a 4 seater would definitely be better so one of us isn’t constantly in a dust cloud. If I had to buy a 4 seater on a budget I would get a Honda talon because of the DCT/manual trans. If I was looking to spend 30k plus I would get an x3 xrs max or wait until they make the Maverick R 4 seater. I saw some spy photos that showed that it’s definitely in the works.
I am a big Yamaha fan. My drums and outboard engine are Yamaha. I am looking to buy a 2024 side-by-side. It's between the Honda and the Yamaha. The main use will be trail and sand riding. Upgrades have been made for both manufacturers since 2019. I was concerned about your comment about the ride comfort. Which manufacturer would you select for all-around riding? Ty
The YXZ is perfect for trails and sand. It sounds and feels like a rally car. It is less good at mud bogging and rock crawling but it can do them. I prefer the YXZ over the Talon just because the yxz is more exciting. High revving engine, cheaper price usually, I like the look and seating position better and just a tune will allow the yxz to go almost 100mph. The YXZ suspension is not bad but its a bit stiff which makes it feel very planted and predictable. Its still leaps and bounds above a utility SXS or a quad. 99% of the time the suspension is perfectly comfortable but when when the trails are absolutely thrashed you do get bounced around a bit. The new high dollar machines definitely take bumps better because they have more travel and larger tires but they are also the price of a small house. I think as far as excitement and bang for your buck the YXZ is the best affordable machine. As far as best all around affordable machine I think probably the Talon has it beat just because it has a low gear which is better for rock crawling and mudding. The YXZ and Talon seem to be the most reliable machines on the market currently but neither have the power, suspension or looks of the top dogs. There really isn't a bad sport SXS on the market right now so there is no real bad choice. I will say the last SXS I would purchase for my riding style currently is the Kawasaki KRX. Its extremely comfortable and capable but its so slow, its really heavy, its a gas hog and has an issue that occurs pretty early into ownership where the clutch components wear out and feels like its shifting even though its a cvt (might be fixed on the newer models but IDK). The best thing to do is find someone that will let you test drive or ride along in whichever SXS you are interested in before you buy. Most SXS owners I know love to give people rides and get them into riding.
You know know your shit im I m impressed. Just got almost trapped on a BMW GS in the shop today like me Bach at work
Thanks!
Very smart man going with Yamaha.
Can’t go wrong. Yamaha’s have been so reliable for me.
thats why i got the honda talon love shifting the gear and hitting the revv limiter
I’ve still never drove a talon. Looks like a good time though.
Have you considered a different spring rate to make the ride a little softer? I have already decided on the YXZ. I just need to find one. Thank you for the video. Nice to see and hear a review that is to the point.
Thank you! I have been debating on going long travel so I have been waiting to dial in the shocks. I’m still on the fence about long travel because I ride a lot of tighter trails.
I know that here in Maine, the law only allows SxS’s to be NO MORE THAN 65” in width.
Wow. I did not know that. That excludes a lot of people he new SXSs that are 68+
Would like to know your thoughts about the 2024 YXZ that is coming out.... I'm thinking about getting one as a second machine. I also noticed that you ride in Michigan, I'd like to do a weekend ride up there (I'm in the Toledo area) what would you recommend. Thanks man!
I think the 2014 with the automatic will definitely be faster since the gear shifts are automated to remove human error. It’s gonna be a while though before tuning companies will have the codes cracked to reprogram the ecu. I would guess the tunes would be a bit more expensive also since they are more involved. I definitely think this will make the yxz a more popular option since more people will be able to drive them. I have always rode dirt bikes and quads and really prefer the manual transmission in the yxz. It’s really easy and a lot of fun. I was really bummed about the 2024 release because I was hoping for an upgraded suspension and a factory turbo but neither happened. If you are coming up to ride in Michigan you are gonna want to go to either the northern lower peninsula or travel up into the U.P. If you want to get a lot of trail riding in I would stay in Houghton Lake, Grayling, Kalkaska, or Fife Lake and ride trails 5,6,7 and 76. I can send you some cool spots to check out if hit me up in email. If you want a more extreme riding experience I would go to Saint Helen. They have big sand bowls, rock crawling, hill climbs and really cool trails. If you go to Saint Helen you could also check out Bull Gap it’s a pretty big sand hill climb. You could also stay around the Baldwin area and ride the “Little O” and “Big O” tails for a day or two and then head over to Silver Lake Sand Dunes for a day or two. There is no lack of places to ride in Northern Michigan. You say you are from Toledo maybe you could check out Bundy Hill Off-road park in Jerome, MI. That’s 5 minutes from where I grew up. That place keeps getting better and better.
Thank you for helping me make up my mind.
going 3 pedal but I hear you, gen xer...
Any machine will last as long as you’re NOT OUT BEATING ON IT. If you go riding and treat your machine responsibly, it will be good to you
Must be a very fun machine...
Way better then belt drive
It’s a lot of fun and super reliable. It’s great not worrying about belt temps.
Well done video.
Curious what bridge/river you crossed @ 14:58?
Thank you. I’m unsure of the trail number exactly. It’s the North Missaukee route. We cross that bridge when we ride from Kalkaska or Houghton Lake to get to Traverse City. The bridge is on the west side of 131 just after the trail crosses the highway in Wexford just south of Fife Lake. Here is the exact location in google maps:
maps.app.goo.gl/4jnEoN22dPAjxYpMA?g_st=ic
The trail is on old us 131. Here is the dnr trail map of the trail in that area:
www2.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/forestslandwater/ORV/Maps-Trail/mccct_cross_state_connector.pdf
Wow, thank you!
love your video, I am going to buy me one tomorrow
Awesome! Let me know how you like it.
Hey guys 😃,
I just wanted to ask if you could give me some recommended parts which should be changed/done after buy just to protect the car for commen issues?
Btw, great Video, Love that driving parts 🥰
Absolutely! The Weller rear frame brace is a great mod that really helps strengthen your rear frame. The frame is not weak exactly but it can bend if you take a really hard side impact on the rear wheels- like sliding sideways and catching a rock or tree. It’s also really important to get an aftermarket cage. The stock cage is not the safest and you can find tons of pictures online of the stock YXZ cage crushed. It’s an expensive mod but very necessary. Also as far as safety I would definitely get some racing harnesses. The stock seatbelts don’t hold you secure enough in a big rollover or accident. I have videos on all of those things. Other common issues that I have never encountered is that the steering rack can wear out the mounting holes if it becomes loose and isn’t noticed right away. Weller makes a steering rack support bracket for that. Also I have read that the welds on the yxz drive shaft or the coupler on the driveshaft are prone to breaking with repeated clutch dumps. I have never dealt with this but I plan on installing an Avenger driveshaft to prevent those issues. Other than that there is not much as far as common issues. Some people say that the tie rods are weak and could be upgraded ,especially with larger tires, but I believe the tie rods are designed to be a weak link so that you don’t break more expensive steering components if you accidentally catch a tree or something. Tie rods are cheap and easy to replace compared to the steering rack or power steering system. After you take care of the common issues I would definitely do an exhaust and tune. It really wakes the yxz up and the top speed and throttle response is greatly increased. Hope this helps!
The YXZ is a cool machine. I think the only downfall is the rear suspension geometry.
Honestly I have never noticed any bucking in the 3 years I’ve owned it. I do notice it nose diving over jumps. Maybe the bucking is a bigger issue for the desert guys? The yxz suspension is perfect in the trails, it did good rock climbing and was good in the little bit of dunes I have ridden. The suspension is definitely outdated but it’s not as bad as people make it out to be, especially after they watch the shock therapy video on the yxz suspension. The yxz is far from the top dog but you get a lot of bang for your buck.
What lightbar you're using and is that an extension to the frame in the front or a different frame entirely? Thanks. Appreciate your content!
I have a cheap Nilight Light bar. Its a 42" flat light bar and I took the front light cover off and plasti-dipped the chrome on the face of the lights black. I had a Krash Offroad aftermarket cage built for my yxz because the stock yxz cage is really weak. When I was having the cage made I shipped Krash my light bar and they put the mounting tabs on the cage for it. Here is a link to the light bar I used:
amzn.to/3RSsnyQ
Here is a link to the video about my cage:
ruclips.net/video/FDLvdgWGxnI/видео.html
Btw i almost got stuck on that same bridge in Manton with my rzr haha
It’s really narrow. A lot of new SXSs aren’t gonna be able to make it over that one. The SXSs keep getting wider and wider.
All Terrain - YXZ - no. I looked at the 2023 YXZ, KRX, RZR Pro, Talon and the X3. I was concerned about the transmission issues on both the Talon and the YXR. Whereas I love Yamahas from the past (125-250 dirt bikes) , I have to say that the YXZ falls short on Rock climbing and river wades. It's fast, sporty and can jump. But weak front a-arms, and not near as universal as the KRX. It's a dune buggy, not all terrain.
I have taken the YXZ crawling a little bit and I was really impressed at how well it did. I did have low expectations though. The 2019+ YXZs have the new gearing and I can crawl pretty slow. Don't get me wrong, it would definitely be much better at crawling or mudding with a low gear, but I was impressed at how well it actually does. The YXZ definitely shines at higher speed trail riding, dunes and short course but its more capable than people would think. I've never heard of the weak a-arm issue honestly. The frame has some weak points for sure but I thought the a-arms hold up pretty well. My buddy that is on the channel has a KRX. It is much better at crawling, mainly due to ground clearance. The KRX is very comfortable and versatile. I have driven the stock KRX multiple times and it could definitely use a tune or something. The acceleration is good but not great and the top speed feels really slow. This might be due to how good the suspension is though. My buddy has been having issues with his KRX clutch. Apparently something is worn in the clutch and you can feel a "shift" when accelerating. I guess this is a common issue. Not bashing on the KRX at all, I just thought if you have a KRX or are considering buying one you may want to look into that.
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad - Agree 100%. KRX does not have near the top end of the YXZ and the 2023 YXZ seemed to have better low end torque over the 2022. Trust me, I grew up always having both a YZ and a RM dirt bike because I loved both of them. But they were very different. I looked at the YXZ because of the reliability of Yamaha, its known performance, and it just looks beasty. I wish Yamaha would bring the front wheels out about 6" more. I would also say honestly, that any "High end" Side by Side will need added support for things like shock towers, skid plates, and other things the factory should improve on. That includes the KRX. But we can probably both agree that things could be worse, we could be riding a RZR or CFMoto 🙂 - See ya on the trails !!!!
I just love your comments. Belts suck.
Agree with all your thoughts!
Keep telling the world! Your facts!!
Belts are BS.
Thank you!
Looking into either a yxz or x3 but I live in Mississippi and mudding is big down here. Is there a good amount of aftermarket support to make the yxz a more capable mudding machine?
Your gonna have a lot mor options with the x3 as far as upgrades for mudding. I mean they make gear reduction kits and bigger tire setups but you will mostly see a yxz set up for sand dunes, desert or short course racing.
I love Yamaha. However I don't think I could handle driving a manual shift all the time. Sometimes I just like to stab the gas and go.
Understandable. It’s not for everyone. The SS is really easy to shift. No clutch pedal and it will auto downshift for you. I don’t even think about shifting or realize I’m doing it honestly. I
@@FilthyKnobsOffRoad I did not know about the auto downshifting... That definitely changes things when all you have to do is up shift. 🤔