The 2011 Can-Am Commander 800R was one of the first two engine choices offered when Can-Am entered the side-by-side market. Its 71-horsepower Rotax V-twin shared the same recreation-utility platform, suspension design, cargo system and towing capacity as the more powerful Commander 1000.
Can-Am offered two 800-class models for the Commander’s debut year: the base Commander 800R and the better-equipped Commander 800R XT. Both combined trail-oriented performance with a 600-pound-capacity Dual-Level cargo box and a 1,500-pound towing rating.
The Commander 800R was part of a five-model family that also included the Commander 1000, Commander 1000 XT and Commander 1000 X. See our complete 2011 Can-Am Commander lineup guide for a comparison of all five original models.
2011 Commander 800R at a Glance
| Engine | 799.9cc liquid-cooled Rotax V-twin |
|---|---|
| Claimed Power | 71 horsepower |
| Transmission | CVT with High, Low, Park, Neutral and Reverse |
| Drivetrain | Selectable 2WD/4WD with Visco-Lok front differential |
| Width | 58.6 inches |
| Wheelbase | 75.8 inches |
| Suspension Travel | 10 inches front and rear |
| Ground Clearance | 11 inches |
| Cargo Capacity | 600 pounds |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 10 gallons |
| Original Base MSRP | $11,699 |
71-Horsepower Rotax 800R V-Twin
The Commander 800R was powered by a 799.9cc, liquid-cooled Rotax V-twin. The single-overhead-cam engine used four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection and a 46mm throttle body. Can-Am rated it at 71 horsepower.
Although it sat below the 85-horsepower Commander 1000, the 800R used the same basic chassis and offered the same cargo and towing ratings. That made it the lower-priced entry point into the original Commander family rather than a stripped-down utility model.
The engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission offering High, Low, Park, Neutral and Reverse. Power was delivered through a shaft-driven system with selectable two- and four-wheel drive.
Intelligent Throttle Control
The 2011 Commander was one of the early side-by-sides to use throttle-by-wire technology. Can-Am called its system Intelligent Throttle Control, or iTC.
Instead of directly connecting the accelerator pedal to the throttle body with a conventional cable, iTC electronically interpreted pedal movement. The system was designed to filter some of the unintended throttle movement that can occur when a driver’s foot bounces over rough terrain.
The Commander also came with encoded D.E.S.S. keys. The Normal key limited vehicle speed, while the Performance key allowed full engine performance. An optional Work key could restrict top speed further for jobsite use.
2011 Can-Am Commander 800R Standard Equipment
The base Commander 800R included most of the platform’s defining features:
- 71-horsepower Rotax 800R V-twin
- Electronic fuel injection
- Intelligent Throttle Control
- Selectable two- and four-wheel drive
- Visco-Lok front differential
- Double A-arm front suspension
- TTI rear suspension
- 10 inches of suspension travel front and rear
- Dual-Level dumping cargo box
- Two-inch rear receiver
- 1,500-pound towing capacity
- Adjustable driver’s seat
- Adjustable tilt steering
- Quick-attach side nets
- Three-point seat belts
- 240-watt lighting system
- 650-watt magneto
- 10-gallon fuel tank
The base Commander 800R was offered in Can-Am’s signature yellow. Its original US MSRP was $11,699.
2011 Can-Am Commander 800R XT
The Commander 800R XT added several of the accessories owners were most likely to install for trail riding or work. Because the equipment was installed at the factory, the XT provided a more complete package without requiring the buyer to select each component separately.
Commander 800R XT Package Equipment
- 4,000-pound winch with roller fairlead
- 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 radial tires
- 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels
- Analog and digital gauge package
- Heavy-duty front bumper
- Cargo-box rails
- Mudguards
- Upgraded steering wheel
The yellow Commander 800R XT carried an original US MSRP of $13,199. The NEXT G-1 Vista camouflage version was priced at $13,799.
Commander 800R vs. Commander 800R XT
| Feature | Commander 800R | Commander 800R XT |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 71-hp Rotax 800R | 71-hp Rotax 800R |
| Suspension Travel | 10 inches | 10 inches |
| Front Differential | Visco-Lok | Visco-Lok |
| Winch | Not included | 4,000-pound winch |
| Wheels | 12-inch steel | 14-inch cast aluminum |
| Tires | Carlisle Black Rock | Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 |
| Front Bumper | Standard configuration | Heavy-duty bumper |
| Bed Rails | Not included | Included |
| Original MSRP | $11,699 | From $13,199 |
The two models delivered the same engine output, suspension travel, towing capacity and cargo capability. The XT’s additional price primarily paid for its winch, wheels, tires, body protection and upgraded instrumentation.
Dual-Level Cargo Box
One of the original Commander’s most distinctive features was its composite Dual-Level cargo box. A removable, water-resistant divider separated the box into upper and lower storage areas, and each compartment had its own tailgate.
Total capacity was rated at 600 pounds. Can-Am allocated 400 pounds to the upper cargo bed and 200 pounds to the lower compartment. The tilt-assist box could be released from either side of the vehicle.
The separate lower storage area gave owners a place to carry tools or riding equipment apart from cargo in the main bed. An accessory lock was available to secure the lower compartment.
TTI Rear Suspension
Instead of rear A-arms, the Commander used Can-Am’s Torsional Trailing arm Independent suspension. The trailing-arm arrangement allowed the rear wheels to move backward as the suspension compressed while minimizing unwanted lateral movement.
The original Commander 800R provided 10 inches of rear suspension travel and used an external sway bar. Up front, double A-arms with dive-control geometry provided another 10 inches of travel.
Can-Am designed the front geometry to reduce excessive dive under braking. The combination helped distinguish the Commander from the more utility-focused UTVs available when it debuted.
Visco-Lok Four-Wheel Drive
The Commander 800R used Can-Am’s Visco-Lok front differential. When a front wheel began spinning faster than the wheel with traction, the system progressively transferred torque to the side with better grip.
The process was automatic once the driver selected four-wheel drive. It did not require a separate differential-lock switch or lever.
Interior and Storage
The Commander 800R provided 1,928 cubic inches of cockpit storage distributed among several compartments. These included a large glove box, a center-console compartment and storage beneath the driver’s seat.
The driver’s seat could be adjusted forward and backward without tools. The steering wheel offered approximately 30.5 degrees of tilt adjustment, and the instrument display moved with the steering column to remain visible.
Both seats could also be removed from the Commander and used as freestanding chairs around camp. Full bolsters provided additional support for recreational driving while maintaining relatively easy entry and exit.
2011 Can-Am Commander 800R Specifications
| Engine Type | 799.9cc liquid-cooled SOHC V-twin |
|---|---|
| Valvetrain | Eight valves; four per cylinder |
| Bore and Stroke | 91 x 61.5mm |
| Fuel System | Electronic fuel injection with Intelligent Throttle Control |
| Claimed Output | 71 horsepower |
| Starting System | Electric |
| Transmission | CVT with High, Low, Park, Neutral and Reverse |
| Drivetrain | Selectable 2WD/4WD with Visco-Lok front differential |
| Frame | Steel |
| Cage | Two-inch-diameter ROPS-approved structure |
| Front Suspension | Double A-arm with dive-control geometry |
| Rear Suspension | Torsional Trailing arm Independent with external sway bar |
| Front Suspension Travel | 10 inches |
| Rear Suspension Travel | 10 inches |
| Front Brakes | Dual 214mm ventilated discs with twin-piston calipers |
| Rear Brake | 214mm ventilated disc with twin-piston caliper |
| Base Front Tires | 27 x 9-12 Carlisle Black Rock |
| Base Rear Tires | 27 x 11-12 Carlisle Black Rock |
| Overall Length | 118.3 inches |
| Overall Width | 58.6 inches |
| Overall Height | 72 inches |
| Wheelbase | 75.8 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 11 inches |
| Dry Weight | 1,287 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 10 gallons |
| Cargo Capacity | 600 pounds total |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 pounds |
| Rear Receiver | Two inches |
Where the 2011 Commander 800R Fits in Can-Am History
The Commander 800R gave Can-Am a lower-priced entry into the UTV market while retaining the features that defined the original Commander platform. Its 71-horsepower engine, trailing-arm suspension and practical cargo system positioned it between traditional utility UTVs and emerging sport models.
Can-Am continued offering 800R-powered Commander models for several years and later expanded the range with power steering and four-seat MAX configurations. The first-generation Commander platform remained in production through the 2020 model year before an entirely new Commander arrived for 2021.
For the broader story, read the History of the Can-Am Commander and our guide to the first-generation Commander platform. You can also browse current reviews, model guides and news in the Can-Am UTV section.
