Outdoors

Yamaha lets the all-new Wolverine RMAX 1000 out of the cage

Yamaha lets the all-new Wolverine RMAX 1000 out of the cage
Yamaha launches its latest Recreation side-by-side: the Wolverine RMAX 1000
Yamaha launches its latest Recreation side-by-side: the Wolverine RMAX 1000
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Whether you need two or four seats, the new Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 has you covered
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Whether you need two or four seats, the new Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 has you covered
Yamaha launches its latest Recreation side-by-side: the Wolverine RMAX 1000
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Yamaha launches its latest Recreation side-by-side: the Wolverine RMAX 1000
WIth its three-mode drive system and adjustable suspension, the Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 tackles whatever's ahead of it
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WIth its three-mode drive system and adjustable suspension, the Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 tackles whatever's ahead of it
The Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 1000 pushes full-steam ahead
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The Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 1000 pushes full-steam ahead
Set the D-Mode system to "Crawl" and maneuver over all kinds of imposing obstacles
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Set the D-Mode system to "Crawl" and maneuver over all kinds of imposing obstacles
The 2WD, 4WD limited slip and 4WD lock help manage traction
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The 2WD, 4WD limited slip and 4WD lock help manage traction
The utility bed holds up to 600 lb and features a hydraulic dump lift
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The utility bed holds up to 600 lb and features a hydraulic dump lift
The Fox iQS suspension equipped on the Limited Edition (LE) trim provides rocker switch damping adjustment
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The Fox iQS suspension equipped on the Limited Edition (LE) trim provides rocker switch damping adjustment
The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 rides on rugged 30-in tires
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The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 rides on rugged 30-in tires
At the helm of the RMAX2 1000
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At the helm of the RMAX2 1000
The available Adventure Pro nav/information system with 7-in display
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The available Adventure Pro nav/information system with 7-in display
Putting the dump feature to work
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Putting the dump feature to work
Tiptoeing carefully ...
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Tiptoeing carefully ...
Rolling in the mud
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Rolling in the mud
Staring in the eyes of Yamaha's new four-seat Wolverine RMAX4 1000
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Staring in the eyes of Yamaha's new four-seat Wolverine RMAX4 1000
The Wolverine RMAX4 1000 takes a breather and poses for the camera
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The Wolverine RMAX4 1000 takes a breather and poses for the camera
The RMAX4 1000 has the same 14.2 in of suspension travel as the RMAX2 up front, but well less in the rear with 13.3 in
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The RMAX4 1000 has the same 14.2 in of suspension travel as the RMAX2 up front, but well less in the rear with 13.3 in
Loading up the RMAX4 1000 bed for a day of fun
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Loading up the RMAX4 1000 bed for a day of fun
Dropping the tailgate
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Dropping the tailgate
Working through slick, sloppy rock and dirt
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Working through slick, sloppy rock and dirt
The all-new Yamaha Wolverine RMAX4 1000
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The all-new Yamaha Wolverine RMAX4 1000
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Yamaha USA reaches for new heights of versatility with its latest 999cc engine-powered side-by-side family. The Wolverine RMAX 1000 lineup of two- and four-seaters combines a powerful twin-cylinder engine with a triple-setting D-Mode drive system that adapts the response of the drive-by-wire to the tasks and terrain ahead. Hop in with one or three of your closest companions and tear desert floor to fine dust, slow-crawl steadily through swampy backcountry, or haul tools around the work site.

The RMAX 1000 line becomes the flagship of Yamaha's "Recreation" category, striking the balance between a workhorse UTV and an all-out performer like the YXZ1000R our own Loz Blain put through the forward and sideways paces a few years ago. It includes three trims (standard, XT-R and LE) in both two-seat (RMAX2) and four-seat (RMAX4) configurations, building on the capabilities of the Wolverine X2 and X4 for a careful balance of fast, furious four-wheeling, steady, precise crawling and capable, no-quit hard-working.

Inside a newly optimized chassis, the Wolverine RMAX 1000 models feature a more powerful iteration of Yamaha's 999cc DOHC eight-valve parallel twin-cylinder that revs right up to an 8,500-rpm redline. The engine is mated to an Ultramatic CVT transmission, with power delivery, throttle response and engine braking managed via the new D-Mode driving system that Yamaha calls a first in the industry.

Staring in the eyes of Yamaha's new four-seat Wolverine RMAX4 1000
Staring in the eyes of Yamaha's new four-seat Wolverine RMAX4 1000

"Trail" mode finds a comfortable middle ground, delivering linear throttle response for smooth acceleration while cranking up engine braking to keep things controlled. This mode seems likely to appeal to the widest range of riders and comes as the standard preset.

"Sport" mode ratchets things up a notch with quick throttle response, more aggressive acceleration and dialed-back engine braking, perfect for open trails, deserts and dunes. "Crawl" mode goes the other direction, pulling throttle response back to moderate, upping engine braking to full and delivering smooth, measured acceleration for working over rocks, through mud, or onward and upward beyond other technical challenges.

The utility bed holds up to 600 lb and features a hydraulic dump lift
The utility bed holds up to 600 lb and features a hydraulic dump lift

A separate On-Command system switches between two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive with limited-slip differential, and 4WD with locked differential.

All four-seat RMAX4 1000 models come equipped with a speed management system that caps vehicle speed at 25 mph (40 km/h) at the turn of a removable key. This system helps guarantee safe, stable operation during work tasks, useful when putting the 600-lb-rated (272-kg) bed with hydraulic dump function or 2,000-lb (907-kg) towing to work. The speed management system also comes on the top-level two-seat RMAX2 1000 LE.

Tiptoeing carefully ...
Tiptoeing carefully ...

Whatever mode the RMAX 1000 and its driver are in, the A-arm suspension with Fox 2.0 QS3 shocks smooths out the bumps and bashes. Front shocks deliver a full 14.2 in (36 cm) of travel on both the RMAX2 and RMAX4 models, while the RMAX2 leads the way with 16.9 in (41 cm) of rear travel (RMAX4 rear = 13.3 in/33.7 cm). Ground clearance is 13.8 in (35 cm) on the RMAX2 and 13.4 in (34 cm) on the RMAX4. The shocks feature tool-free adjustment to easily switch between standard trail riding, tempered cruising or aggressive all-out performance. LE models include a three-way rocker switch in the cockpit for adjusting damping between comfort, medium and firm.

RMAX2 1000 XT-R and LE models ride on 30-in Maxxis Carnivore tires with the same front and rear widths, while RMAX4 1000 models ride on 29-in Maxxis Carnage tires that run narrower up front. Base-level standard models run GBC Dirt Commander or Dirt Commander 2 tires.

The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 rides on rugged 30-in tires
The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 rides on rugged 30-in tires

Yamaha fully fortifies the Wolverine RMAX 1000 with a standard steel bumper with welded-steel tie-down points, underbody skid protection and welded-on rear tire protectors. XT-R and LE models come with a standard Warn VRX 4,500-lb (2,040-kg) winch, while standard models are prepared for accessory winch add-on.

The RMAX 1000 interior is furnished with soft-touch materials, including the rubber over-molded steering wheel, padded knee areas and soft-touch, quick-adjust passenger handhold. The available Magellan-powered Adventure Pro 7-in GPS unit is integrated neatly into a lockable dash housing, removing easily to guide users during side adventures.

The 2WD, 4WD limited slip and 4WD lock help manage traction
The 2WD, 4WD limited slip and 4WD lock help manage traction

The Wolverine RMAX 1000 models launch at Yamaha dealerships across the US today. The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 standard model starts at US$19,799, while the RMAX4 1000 starts at $21,299. Higher-spec XT-R and LE trims start at $21,999 and $23,299, respectively. Yamaha offers more than 100 different factory-designed accessories out of the gate.

Reimagine Everywhere. Reimagine Everything.

Source: Yamaha

View gallery - 21 images
4 comments
4 comments
guzmanchinky
I bought a Yamaha Rhino way back when it was a 660 with a carburetor. Since then I've had many others, but Yamaha is still the most reliable. This machine seems perfect except for the fatal flaw of it never being street legal. At that price you could easily buy a used Wrangler Rubicon 2 door , pull the doors and roof off, and take it anywhere...with heat and a/c...
BlueOak
Drive by wire and hydraulic dump on a glorified ATV. Perhaps it isn’t for you if you have to ask how much or how much it will cost to maintain those features in 10 years. Want it, but nowhere near being able to justify it for 24 grand. A lot of other toys would come first, including a nice boat. (BTW, did you know you can spend $100,000 on a twin jet full-size Yamaha boat?)

Walked by a guy at the store this week and he had a nice standard size ATV in his truck bed.

I said “sweet toy, ‘wish I could afford one!”

He responded, “so do I!”
JDC1
...and we wonder why America has a retirement income problem. Want to bet that over half of these folks who own these "can't afford" to save for retirement?
nick101
If you are a rancher or a park ranger, or a surveying geologist, these make a lot of sense. If not . . .