2024 Yamaha Wolverine X2 1000 Goes Screaming Down the Trail - Does More Power Make it Better?

We've had great success swapping the primary CVT weights out with 23-24 gram ones from UTVEngineering, which lowers the RPMs by about 1000. If you're not racing, you still have plenty of power and low range actually becomes more useful.

I bought mine in mid June, it does everything that I need, it’s super fast and handles mud water and sand with no issues. Have not had to use 4wd much at all it has so much power and the big horn tires are perfect for mud and sand. Yamaha has really perfected this machine. I highly recommend the Wolverine X2 1000 for anyone looking for a side by side.

We just got back from our local Yamaha dealer where we compared the 850 with the 1000 side by side (sorry). I found noise level criticisms to be highly subjective. Yes, the smaller engine is somewhat less intrusive, however, the upgrades to power/tires/suspension are huge—not to mention the availability of a D-mode switch. We don’t go “screaming down the trail”, that’s not how we roll, and with a few select mods (D-mode switch, CVT weights etc.) we felt the premium standard equipment of the 1000, plus the additional power available, was just too much to pass up. Besides, we come from a motorcycling background where the last thing you do before you strap on a helmet is insert some foam earplugs.

Great review Stephan. You keep getting better & better with the powersports reviews. Answering the questions that are important to prospective buyers should be thinking about. I bought an Rmax before this machine came out. I hate how it is always at 5000 RPM’s. Previous machine was a Honda Pioneer at it hardly ever went over 3000 RPM’s and it makes a difference after a day on the trail. I know you can do things with clutch weights but for this kind of money i shouldn’t have too. I bought the Yamaha because i thought it was the best CVT system out there.

Bought one a month ago and I agree with you on everything including I was going to buy a Rmax but didn't want to spend the money but definitely wanted a 1000cc. I Have plans to tear the unit down and sound insulat it cause the noise is really bad and I bought this for adventure riding but all in all its built like a truck and I'm happy with what I got.

Love this I am going to get one I priced the base model with all the windows and soft top plus a wintch and heater installed he in the USA out the door for 24,000$

was looking to purchase this unit eventually settled on a polaris general

I bought a new 2024 Rmax back in May and yes it's a bit on the loud side but not annoyingly so IMO and I rarely use a helmet...I also own a 2019 Can Am X3 and it's as loud if not louder than the Rmax but again not something bad enough bothersome once one gets used to driving these SxS's...I will say with the Rmax which you touched on is the steering once you start driving it fairly fast the steering to me is a bit on the light side and makes the handling coming out of a turn a bit twitchy...one other thing I wish Yamaha would have done is built the doors higher rather that had that plastic pad not so much for safety but for looks...I just think the Rmax would look much better with higher doors...other than those two minor things the Rmax works great.

Great review, How's the noise compared to the Kawasaki teryx?

I'm between this and a Can Am Meverick Sport.

Have every test ride cfmotos?

Is it smaller than the original wolverine’s like 17-19 years

Can you please start testing the cf moto line up? There sales have been taking off. They are competitive with all the others!!

I wonder why everyone did away with turf mode. It should be standard, especially for the price!

Starts at $20k USD!!! You gotta be shittin me man. Insane.

How come you always wear a child's helmet?

If Yamaha could nudge the dial on this unit just a couple ticks toward utility, with a tad bigger bed, more payload, and a turf mode, then I’d be all over it. The Viking is 🤮.