Gone are the days when side-by-sides were mere toys or farm machines. The modern adventure-focused UTVs have shattered those old boundaries, seamlessly blending utility and fun.
The ’23 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000, a trailblazer in today’s market, obliterates the limitations that once held vehicles of its kind back from the realm of adventure.
A New Horizon of Adventure
In a new segment of the UTV market where boundaries blur, the Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 emerges as a fearless and stylish pioneer.
No longer confined to the realm of utility, this UTV has evolved into an off-roading powerhouse that easily surges through challenging terrain, bears the weight of cargo with composure, and conquers vast distances while pampering its riders in unprecedented comfort.
The new RMAX is a testament to Yamaha’s commitment to redefining the definition of adventure on wheels.
Engineering & Style
Yamaha’s reputation for reliability and performance puts them atop the market, and the updated RMAX, with two body styles, amplifies this legacy. The ’23 RMAX cleans up the model’s styling, with cleaner and sleeker lines that are muscular and purposeful. LED lightning gives the Wolverine RMAX its signature looks and better nighttime performance.
Optimized for spirited performance, the RMAX2 has an 86.7-inch wheelbase and two seats, while the RMAX4 checks in at 90.2 inches with four seats. Both frames are designed with bigger tires in mind, with the RMAX2 offering up to a 30-inch tire from the factory and the RMAX4 maxing out at 29 inches.
RMAX2s use a square tire setup, which means the same size is used on all four corners, making it easier to carry a spare. RMAX4 models use a staggered setup for improved handling. Both versions ride on 14-inch wheels and beadlocks are available.
The RMAX’s heavy-duty, wide-arc A-arm suspension is designed for maximum articulation at slow speed, damped by Fox shocks that are highly resistant to bottoming but are tuned to feel balanced in normal trail riding. The RMAX2 has 14.2 inches of front travel and 16.9 inches of rear travel, whereas the RMAX4 sports 14.2 inches in the front and 13.3 inches in the rear.
RMAX models equipped with the Fox 2.0 iQS (an industry first on a factory side-by-side) get an in-cabin compression adjuster, while other models have on-shock adjustments. RMAX4s have an available rear Fox bottom-out cup in the rear shocks for improved performance at the limit.
The chassis has also been designed to easily accept a Warn VRX 4500 all-metal winch, which is part of the XT-R and LE trims.
Refined Interior Design
Opening the doors reveals the three-piece door panels, which look like they would be at home in a car, and the automotive-inspired cockpit. Thoughtful placement of door handles on the inside ensures mud and muck remain in their rightful place and out of door handles that are traditionally mounted on the outside of the doors.
The interior door panels exude sophistication, providing a cushioned haven for arms and knees during those “spicier” trail odysseys.
From the moment you strap into the driver’s seat, the steering wheel, now graced with integrated soft-grip material, delivers unwavering control. Seats are more comfortable than before with more bolster and increased driver’s seat adjustment, and every seating position gets a tool-free adjustable seatbelt.
The digital gauge cluster, adorned with blue backlighting, communicates vital information with a touch of modern flair. The controls on the dashboard are designed for quick and intuitive use, outshining their clunky switch-based predecessors.
The interface allows you to make split-second decisions without having to decipher what the switch is telling you before making the change, and round dials distinctively point to their current setting, allowing for quick and easy comprehension. It may seem like a small feature, but rest assured that if Yamaha has spent this much time on a dial, the rest of the machine is just as well thought out.
Optional accessories like the illuminating blue light kit and the enveloping audio system transform the cockpit into a place of rocking or relaxation, based on the trail needs, of course.
Adventure Pro
Yamaha’s partnership with Magellan has given birth to the “Adventure Pro,” a center-stack-located digital display that fuses form with function. This command center seamlessly weaves accessories, navigation and audio into one cohesive experience.
Its high-contrast and overall brightness defies the sun’s glare, offering a wealth of data at your fingertips even in direct sunlight. Users can import GPX files, wield the power of wi-fi and bask in Bluetooth connectivity—a utopia for data aficionados.
Revolutionizing Cargo Capacity & Versatility
The RMAX dispels the cargo conundrum, boasting a capacious bed that can handle up to 600 pounds of gear, enough capacity to turn every adventure into a plush voyage.
Equipped with a 2-inch receiver, the RMAX towing capacity of 2,000 pounds elevates its utility prowess, edging close to the domain of some of the most revered off-road-focused SUVs. RMAX2 models get a hydraulic-assisted dump bed with steel tie-down points and RMAX4 models get a configurable cargo system that can flex seating positions for additional cargo space.
This feat of hauling capability owes much to the RMAX’s robust transmission design, ensuring it’s equally at home hauling loads as it is hurtling down trails.
The Art of Balance
Yamaha equips each Wolverine RMAX 1000 with a best-in-class 999cc DOHC, eight-valve, parallel twin. This engine has the most horsepower and torque in its class and uses a specially developed wet clutch and heavy-duty drive belt with an exceptionally attractive 10-year belt warranty.
The driveline features a quiet drivetrain that benefits from spiral-cut gears, helical-cut forward gears, a single inline rear driveshaft, a single-piece front driveshaft with U-joints, and rigid gears nestled in a detached transmission.
There are three drive modes, which include 2WD, 4WD Limited Slip, and 4WD Full Diff Lock. The RMAX also has what the company calls D-Mode with YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle). This system also has three modes and adds a personalized touch, tailoring pedal response across Sport (aggressive), Trail (linear), and Crawl (smooth) modes. It is a symphony of engineering balance, where power meets poise.
The smooth-running RMAX drivetrain defies expectations, melding Yamaha’s hallmark quality with an unexpected surge of performance. It dances on the edge of thrill and utility, conquering corners with finesse and maintaining stability at exhilarating speeds.
The Genesis of a New Era
If you are looking for a UTV that bridges the chasm between utility and sport, look no further than the ’23 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000. With a 10-year belt warranty and Yamaha’s legendary durability, it’s poised to redefine the crossover between full-size vehicles and UTVs. Venture off the trodden path with the confidence of a trailblazer, relishing comfort and capability like never before, all in the well-designed cockpit of the new Yamaha RMAX.
The assembled-in-the-USA RMAX2 XT-R starts at $21,999 and tops out with the LE model at $27,699, while the RMAX4 base price is $23,399 and hits $30,399 for the range-topping LE.
| Quick Specs | |
|---|---|
| Vehicle: | ’23 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 1000 |
| Base Price: | $21,999 |
| Engine Type: | 999cc DOHC Parallel Twin |
| Transmission: | Yamaha Ultramatic CVT with wet clutch |
| Suspension (F/R): | A-arm w/Fox shocks and sway bar/A-arm w/Fox shocks |
| Brakes: | 4-wheel disc w/dual piston calipers, 255mm front solid rotor and 244.5 rear solid rotor |
| Wheels & Tires: | 30 x 10 x 14x6.5-in. aluminum wheel |
| Wheelbase: | 86.7 in. |
| Wheel Travel (F/R): | 14.2/16.9 in. |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | 119.2 x 64.1 x 77.8 in. |
| Max Payload: | 600 lbs. |
| Max Towing: | 2,000 lbs. |
| Seating Capacity: | 2 |
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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 05. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.
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