Yamaha YXZ Review: Paddle Shifters And A Sequential Gearbox Make All The Difference

Instead of a soul-sucking CVT, Yamaha sells the YXZ 1000R SS with paddle shifters to control a sequential gearbox. Sure, the YXZ is down a bit on power compared to the most powerful (not to mention expensive) Polaris RZR and Can-Am Maverick variants but in terms of pure driving engagement, the short wheelbase, peppy inline-three, and paddle shifters make all the difference.
HotCars contributor Michael Van Runkle recently drove Yamaha's entire lineup at Gunsite Academy in Arizona, on a cross-promotional adventure with Glock, Nosler, and Shoot United. But even John Wick-style firearms training couldn't distract him from banging the redline repeatedly in the Yamaha YXZ.
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[@DUNEATV]

As a former YXZ owner I can tell you this machine is so awesome!!! I put 5000 miles on mine without an issue!

[@lobbyrobby]

You were supposed to sell that to me! What the hell man

[@DUNEATV]

@@lobbyrobby Lol! Sorry

[@danjim7056]

Oh dang, you got rid of the yxz? Your videos helped me decide to get a yxz.

[@DUNEATV]

@@danjim7056 Yes, I went back to a quad. Raptor 700R. Mid life crisis I guess! Lol

[@danjim7056]

@@DUNEATV I hear ya, the sxs was my mid-life crisis purchase. Still have my yfz450 and yz426 along some old Atc's and other toys. Maybe all of it was my midlife crisis since I went from 1 pitbike to 12 machines in 2 years.

[@justinharris8002]

I work at the Yamaha plant in GA and I helped bought 6 of these 😊

[@tackhammer222]

You explained the YXZ perfectly! I love mine👍

[@rickdavid1795]

I bought one today, picking it up next Tuesday.
I’m pretty excited.
Thanks for the video

[@michaeldavison430]

The YXZ although a dated chassis at this point is still in a class of it's own when it comes to the intensity of the driving experience. It is very much "the drivers car" of the utv world. If Yamaha would update the suspension geometry it would make a big difference.

[@georitchie3313]

Great commentary

[@johnshuler1396]

Were you able to try the model with the 5 speed transmission and clutch? Would really like to get your take on that model!

[@danjim7056]

They make steering quickeners for the yxz.

[@paulbeltran7132]

Does it feel more tippy ? Or rollover prone ?

[@Yan7001978]

64" can am x3 DS is lighter and the Popo XP 100 pounds more than the X3. I'd give the xp and the yxz a tie for weight. About an exposed engine wh6 he's worried about that?

[@garyferguson1552]

Does Yamaha sell a kit to make it road legal??

[@logan65]

Why is it so slow though??

[@lukejohnson1274]

Column mounted IS proper. You should never shift in a turn anyway and column mounted is always in the same place.

[@kdiddy7076]

I'll have to disagree with you on that one Luke. While I have the male version with a manual clutch, if I were to be forced by circumstance to drive an SS, I would replace the paddles with thumb pushbutton momentary switches. One in each steering wheel spoke. Then one could change gears no matter the position of the wheel. Quick steer mod would be nice as well.

[@defconsupply3990]

Never seen any John Wick type shooting at Gunsite

[@Eastern_SA]

Can’t beat the chassis and suspension design of Textron Wildcat xx with same engine but more power NA.

[@edwardworley88]

Just wish they would make it just a pure automatic like rmax then I'm sold.. Not everyone wants to shift

[@garretwitterholt5842]

They do now. Go out and buy