The arrival of the 2011 Can-Am Commander created an entirely new market for long-travel suspension. Within months, fabricators were developing wider A-arms, longer trailing arms, upgraded axles and shock packages intended to improve stability and increase usable wheel travel.
This guide documents many of the long-travel systems offered for the first-generation Can-Am Commander 800R and Commander 1000. These specifications and company details are retained as a historical reference. Most of these kits were introduced in 2010 or 2011 and may no longer be available.
For more background on the machine that launched this aftermarket segment, see our history of the Can-Am Commander and original Can-Am Commander 1000 review.
Can-Am Commander Long-Travel Kit Comparison
| Manufacturer | Added Width | Wheelbase Change | Wheel Travel | Shocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bopp Race Components | No increase listed | Not specified | Not specified | Factory-length shocks |
| Custom Creations | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| DragonFire Racing | Not specified | Not specified | Approximately 5 inches additional travel | Factory FOX 2.0 shocks or longer FOX shocks with a bolt-on tower |
| FST | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | King shocks |
| HCR Racing | 6 inches per side | 1 inch forward and 2 inches rearward | 16 inches front; 14 inches rear | King shocks |
| Holz Racing Products | 3 inches per side | 4 inches longer | 11.5 inches | Stock-length FOX shocks |
| Magnum Offroad | 4 inches per side | 4 inches longer at rear | 14 inches | Factory Commander X shocks or FOX 2.0 coilovers |
| SDR Motorsports | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Todd’s Custom Billet | 4 inches per side | 3.25 inches longer | 14 inches | Stock-length FOX or optional Elka shocks |
Specifications above reflect information supplied when these systems were introduced. Width descriptions generally refer to the increase per side unless otherwise noted.
Bopp Race Components
The Bopp Race Components setup was listed as using factory-length shocks without adding A-arm width. Complete wheelbase and wheel-travel figures were not provided.
- Added width: None listed
- Wheelbase: Not specified
- Wheel travel: Not specified
- Shocks: Factory length
Buckshot Racing
Buckshot Racing introduced its Can-Am Commander long-travel kit in June 2011. The system was designed to produce 14 inches of front and rear wheel travel when paired with eight-inch-travel aftermarket King or FOX shocks.
Owners could also retain the Commander’s original shocks, which produced a claimed 13 inches of wheel travel at both ends. This gave buyers the option of installing the suspension system first and upgrading the shocks separately.
- Wheel travel with aftermarket shocks: 14 inches front and rear
- Wheel travel with factory shocks: 13 inches front and rear
- Aftermarket shock options: Eight-inch-travel King or FOX shocks
Custom Creations
The Custom Creations system was still described as being in development when this guide was assembled. Summers Brothers axles were listed, but final dimensions and shock specifications were not released.
- Added width: Not specified
- Wheelbase: Not specified
- Wheel travel: Not specified
- Axles: Summers Brothers
DragonFire Racing
DragonFire Racing displayed its Commander suspension work at the 2010 Sand Sports Super Show. The setup was described as adding approximately five inches of wheel travel and could use the factory FOX 2.0 shocks or longer FOX shocks with a bolt-on shock tower.
- Wheel travel: Approximately 5 inches more than stock
- Shocks: Factory FOX 2.0 shocks or longer FOX shocks with a bolt-on tower
FST
The FST Commander system was shown with King shocks. Final width, wheelbase and wheel-travel specifications were not included in the original listing.
HCR Racing
HCR Racing introduced one of the most ambitious production Commander systems of the period. The package widened the vehicle by six inches per side while moving the front wheels one inch forward and the rear wheels two inches backward. Learn more: HCR Racing’s Commander Long Travel Kit
The claimed result was more than 16 inches of front-wheel travel and 14 inches at the rear. The original package used King reservoir shocks and Summers Brothers 4340 axle components.
HCR Racing’s Commander Long Travel Kit
- Added width: 6 inches per side
- Wheelbase: 1 inch forward and 2 inches rearward
- Wheel travel: More than 16 inches front and 14 inches rear
- Shocks: King reservoir shocks
- Axles: Summers Brothers
- Construction: Boxed chromoly arms with bolt-on installation
HCR remains active in the UTV suspension market. Visit HCR Racing for its current applications and product availability.
Holz Racing Products
Holz Racing Products developed a system that added three inches of width per side and stretched the Commander’s wheelbase by four inches. It produced 11.5 inches of wheel travel while retaining the factory upper shock mounts and stock-length shocks.
- Added width: 3 inches per side
- Wheelbase: 4 inches longer
- Wheel travel: 11.5 inches
- Shocks: Stock-length FOX shocks
- Original part number: 633004
- Original applications: Commander 800R and 1000 base, X and XT models
Magnum Offroad M4
The Magnum Offroad M4 system widened the Commander’s track by eight inches overall and extended the rear wheelbase by four inches. It increased wheel travel from the stock 10 inches to a claimed 14 inches.
The system included boxed front control arms, longer rear trailing arms, Summers Brothers 4340 axles and replacement billet-aluminum tie rods. It could be used with the original Commander X FOX shocks or longer FOX 2.0 coilovers.
- Added width: 4 inches per side
- Wheelbase: 4 inches longer at the rear
- Wheel travel: 14 inches
- Shocks: Factory Commander X FOX shocks or FOX 2.0 coilovers
- Axles: Summers Brothers 4340
SDR Motorsports
The SDR Motorsports Commander system was still under development when it was added to this guide. Final width, wheelbase, wheel-travel, axle and shock specifications were not published here.
Todd’s Custom Billet
Todd’s Custom Billet, commonly known as TCB, introduced a chromoly long-travel system in September 2010. It added four inches of width per side, stretched the wheelbase by 3.25 inches and provided more than 14 inches of wheel travel.
- Added width: 4 inches per side
- Wheelbase: 3.25 inches longer
- Wheel travel: More than 14 inches
- Shocks: Stock-length FOX shocks or optional Elka shocks
- Original axle package: Four 300M axle bars
Choosing a Commander Long-Travel System
These systems approached the same goal in different ways. Kits that retained stock-length shocks offered a relatively straightforward installation, while packages using longer shocks and revised shock towers could deliver substantially more travel. Wider arms improved lateral stability, and the longer wheelbases used by several manufacturers helped the Commander remain more settled in rough terrain.
Installing any long-travel kit also changed the vehicle’s overall width, steering geometry, axle requirements and suspension loads. Buyers considering a used system should inspect every arm, mounting point, axle, tie rod and shock carefully. Replacement parts may be difficult to obtain for discontinued packages.
Historical Availability
This article documents the rapid suspension development that followed the introduction of the first-generation Can-Am Commander. It is not a list of currently available products. Contact the manufacturer directly before assuming that a legacy kit, replacement axle or other component remains supported.
