By Thad Josey
Photos by Adam Campbell Photography
The 2019 Yamaha YXZ1000R represented the model’s most substantial update since Yamaha introduced its high-revving, manual-transmission sport UTV. The revised machine received lower gearing, larger tires, stronger brakes, updated suspension settings and a rear-mounted radiator—all changes intended to make the YXZ more capable beyond wide-open desert terrain.
To find out whether those improvements translated into better real-world trail performance, we drove the 2019 Yamaha YXZ1000R on the tight, wooded and technical terrain at Stony Lonesome OHV Park in Bremen, Alabama.
This review focuses on the redesigned 2019 model and its performance on East Coast trails. For the complete story of the platform, including its introduction, major updates and eventual discontinuation, visit our Yamaha YXZ1000R model history and guide.
What Changed on the 2019 Yamaha YXZ1000R?
Yamaha did considerably more than update the colors and graphics for 2019. Engineers addressed several characteristics that had limited the original YXZ1000R in slow, technical terrain while preserving the high-rpm engine and direct-shifting transmission that gave the machine its distinctive personality.
The most important changes included:
- Lower transmission gearing
- New 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires
- Larger brakes with stainless-steel lines
- A larger, rear-mounted radiator
- Revised FOX suspension settings
- Updated Sport Shift programming
- A redesigned rollover-protection structure
- Additional underbody and suspension protection
Larger 29-Inch Maxxis Bighorn Tires
The 2019 YXZ1000R moved from 27-inch tires to 29-inch, eight-ply Maxxis Bighorns. The larger tires added ground clearance and improved the machine’s ability to negotiate rocks, roots, ruts and other trail obstacles.
The stronger eight-ply construction also provided better puncture resistance for rocky terrain. Taller tires can place additional stress on a drivetrain and reduce effective gearing, but Yamaha accounted for the added diameter with corresponding transmission changes.
Stronger Braking System
Yamaha upgraded the braking system to manage the additional size and rotating mass of the 29-inch tires. The 2019 YXZ1000R received brake rotors that were 10mm larger, along with larger caliper pistons and a 19mm master cylinder.
Stainless-steel braided brake lines helped provide a firmer, more consistent pedal while adding protection against trail debris. On steep and technical East Coast terrain, the stronger braking package provided a welcome increase in control.
Lower Transmission Gearing
Lower gearing was one of the most consequential improvements Yamaha made for 2019. First gear was reduced by 24 percent, while second through fifth gears were lowered by approximately 7 percent.
The lower first gear gave the YXZ1000R more usable torque at low speed and made it easier to negotiate rocks, steep climbs and tight sections without relying as heavily on clutch modulation. The remaining gear changes helped compensate for the move from 27-inch to 29-inch tires.
Yamaha also claimed the revised gearing and control logic significantly improved clutch durability. More importantly from the driver’s seat, the changes made the machine easier to operate in terrain where the earlier YXZ often felt too highly geared.
Larger Rear-Mounted Radiator
Another major improvement was the relocation of the radiator from the front of the vehicle to a protected position behind the occupants. Yamaha increased the radiator’s size by 32 percent and used dual fans to dramatically increase airflow.
Moving the radiator away from the front helped protect it from mud and debris that could clog the cooling fins. It also kept hot radiator air from being directed into the passenger compartment. Yamaha claimed the new arrangement reduced center-console and cupholder temperatures by 31 percent.
The removable radiator cover made the cooling system easier to inspect and clean. That was an important practical improvement for riders who regularly encounter mud, leaves and other trail debris.
Revised FOX Suspension Settings
Yamaha revised the FOX shock settings with new spring rates and higher-flow internal valving. The objective was to improve compliance at lower trail speeds without sacrificing control when the pace increased.
The updated suspension felt plush through slower, uneven sections and remained composed when driven aggressively over rough terrain. That balance was particularly valuable at Stony Lonesome, where the trail could transition quickly from tight turns and rocks to faster, choppier stretches.
Yamaha also added guards around vulnerable suspension components to provide additional protection from rocks and trail debris.
Updated Sport Shift Programming
The Sport Shift version received updated YXZ1000R SS programming for 2019. Yamaha improved clutch engagement at low speeds, reduced unnecessary clutch disengagement and refined automatic downshifting.
The result was much smoother operation while creeping through technical terrain. Engine braking also felt more predictable during descents and when slowing for tight turns.
The revised system retained the YXZ’s steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, allowing the driver to select gears without operating a clutch pedal. For a closer look at how the earlier Sport Shift system performed, see our Yamaha YXZ1000R SS review.
Launch Control was another entertaining Sport Shift feature. Once activated, it allowed the driver to hold the engine at the selected launch rpm and accelerate hard when the system was released. It was not an essential trail feature, but it highlighted the performance-focused nature of the YXZ1000R.
Redesigned ROPS and Updated Styling
The reshaped rollover-protection structure gave the 2019 YXZ1000R a lower overall profile while improving entry, exit and forward visibility. The raised front section created a clearer view down steep descents and reduced the chance of contacting the cage while climbing into the cab with a helmet.
Yamaha also revised the hood styling. The Ultra White Special Edition included a pair of factory-installed 5-watt Cree LED lights, while similar lighting was available as an accessory for other versions.
Driving the 2019 YXZ1000R at Stony Lonesome
Yamaha held separate media drives to demonstrate the 2019 model’s performance in different terrain. The East Coast test took place at Stony Lonesome OHV Park in Bremen, Alabama—exactly the kind of tight, wooded environment that would expose any remaining weaknesses in the YXZ1000R’s low-speed manners.
Within the first few minutes, the YXZ made a strong impression. When the trail opened enough to use full throttle and work through the paddle-shifted transmission, the engine pulled hard and continued building power as the revs climbed.
The YXZ1000R has always delivered an experience unlike a belt-driven CVT sport UTV. The direct connection between the engine, transmission and driver makes gear selection part of the experience. The 2019 updates made that character easier to enjoy across a wider range of terrain.
Handling and Suspension Performance
In tighter sections, downshifting before sharp turns helped keep the engine in its powerband while providing useful engine braking. The YXZ felt quick, nimble and responsive, following the selected line without excessive front-end push.
The revised suspension was compliant at slower speeds and absorbed rough terrain well as the pace increased. Paddle shifting quickly became natural, and the smoother clutch engagement made precise throttle control easier than it had been in earlier Sport Shift models.
The naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine remained responsive, so drivers still needed a measured right foot when traction was limited. The machine rewarded deliberate control rather than casual throttle inputs.
Slow-Speed and Technical Capability
The YXZ1000R remained most exciting when there was room to accelerate and use its sequential transmission, but Yamaha substantially improved its behavior at lower speeds.
We deliberately tested the machine while creeping through rocks, climbing steep hills and navigating confined trail sections. The lower first gear and refined clutch programming allowed it to maintain a controlled pace without the previous model’s tendency to feel overly aggressive or highly geared.
It climbed long, steep grades smoothly and worked through large rocks with greater confidence. Drivers interested in more extreme technical terrain can also read our YXZ1000R SS rock-crawling review, which tests the platform on California’s Rubicon Trail.
Who Is the 2019 Yamaha YXZ1000R For?
The YXZ1000R was never intended to be a relaxed recreational cruiser. Its high-revving engine, sequential transmission and driver-focused cockpit appealed most strongly to enthusiasts who wanted an involved, performance-oriented driving experience.
The 2019 revisions did not change that identity. Instead, they expanded the types of terrain where the machine could be driven confidently. It became more comfortable and manageable on tight trails while retaining the responsive handling and engaging power delivery that distinguished the YXZ from conventional CVT-equipped sport UTVs.
Drivers comparing different versions of the platform may also want to read our YXZ1000R woods review and YXZ1000R SS dune review.
Final Verdict
The 2019 Yamaha YXZ1000R was a meaningful evolution of Yamaha’s pure-sport platform. Its larger tires, stronger brakes, revised suspension, rear-mounted radiator and redesigned ROPS were valuable updates, but the lower gearing and improved Sport Shift programming made the greatest difference on East Coast trails.
Those changes made the YXZ easier to crawl, climb and maneuver at low speeds without compromising its high-rpm performance or direct-shifting character. It still demanded more driver involvement than most sport UTVs, and that remained a central part of its appeal.
For enthusiasts who wanted an engaging sport UTV capable of handling both fast sections and technical wooded terrain, the redesigned 2019 YXZ1000R was the most versatile version Yamaha had produced to that point.
