Testing UTVs at Sand Mountain: Commander, Gator and Turbo RZR

Posted on October 7, 2010
11:06 am

Editor’s note: This historical trip report documents a UTV testing session at Sand Mountain, Nevada, in October 2010. The vehicles, modifications and equipment shown reflect that period. Fees, regulations and riding conditions may have changed, so consult current information before visiting.

In October 2010, we headed to Sand Mountain Recreation Area near Fallon, Nevada, with a varied group of UTVs. The trip gave us an opportunity to drive the newly introduced 2011 Can-Am Commander 1000 XT and John Deere Gator XUV 825i in the dunes while also spending time around several modified sport UTVs.

The group included a K&T Performance turbocharged Polaris RZR, a Kawasaki Teryx with CST long-travel suspension and other modified RZRs. From carving through the Super Bowl to climbing the face of Sand Mountain, the trip demonstrated just how quickly the UTV market was changing in 2010.

2011 Can-Am Commander 1000 XT climbing a dune at Sand Mountain Nevada — Driving the 2011 Can-Am Commander 1000 XT at Sand Mountain in October 2010.

Testing the New Can-Am Commander 1000 XT

The first-generation Can-Am Commander 1000 was one of the biggest UTV introductions of 2010. Its 976cc Rotax V-twin produced a claimed 85 horsepower, putting it well ahead of most recreational side-by-sides available at the time.

Our Commander 1000 XT combined that performance with a two-level cargo box, selectable four-wheel drive, a factory winch and the additional equipment included with the XT package. Sand Mountain provided plenty of room to evaluate its acceleration, climbing ability and handling in open sand.

Yellow 2011 Can-Am Commander 1000 XT driving across Sand Mountain Nevada — The Commander 1000 XT crossing the open sand below Sand Mountain.

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT turning through loose sand at Sand Mountain — The Commander sliding through a turn in the dunes.

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT descending a dune at Sand Mountain Nevada — Descending one of the smaller dunes in the Commander 1000 XT.

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT carving through the Super Bowl at Sand Mountain — Ripping around the Super Bowl in the Can-Am Commander 1000 XT.

Our time with this vehicle continued well beyond the October trip. Read the complete Can-Am Commander 1000 XT long-term review for more of its trips, modifications and long-term use.

John Deere Gator XUV 825i in the Dunes

The 2011 John Deere Gator XUV 825i was another important new machine. John Deere developed it primarily as a utility vehicle, but its 812cc three-cylinder engine, independent suspension and four-wheel-drive system gave it much stronger recreational performance than earlier Gators.

Sand Mountain placed the Gator in an environment far removed from the farms, ranches and job sites where it would normally work. It was not designed to compete directly with a sport UTV, but it could still travel through the dunes and provided an interesting comparison with the new Commander.

2011 John Deere Gator XUV 825i driving across a dune at Sand Mountain Nevada — The 2011 John Deere Gator XUV 825i crossing the sand.

John Deere Gator XUV 825i descending a steep sand dune — The Gator XUV 825i descending one of Sand Mountain’s steeper slopes.

John Deere Gator XUV 825i turning through the dunes at Sand Mountain — Testing the Gator’s handling in open sand.

John Deere Gator XUV 825i throwing sand during a turn at Sand Mountain — The utility-focused Gator was still capable of having fun in the dunes.

We later used this machine for more than two years of hauling, towing, mowing, fencing and ranch work. See our John Deere Gator XUV 825i long-term review for that real-world ownership experience.

K&T Performance Turbo Polaris RZR

The K&T Performance turbocharged Polaris RZR showed the other end of the UTV spectrum. Forced induction and aftermarket suspension were already transforming the original RZR platform into a much more serious dune machine.

Sand Mountain’s long, steep face demanded substantially more power than most stock UTVs of the period could provide. A properly set up turbo RZR had the acceleration and climbing performance to attack the mountain at speeds that were difficult to imagine when the original RZR arrived only a few years earlier.

Red K and T Performance turbo Polaris RZR at Sand Mountain Nevada — K&T Performance turbocharged Polaris RZR at Sand Mountain.

White modified Polaris RZR with long-travel suspension at Sand Mountain — A modified Polaris RZR with long-travel suspension and paddle tires.

Modified red and white Polaris RZRs parked on a Sand Mountain dune — Two modified Polaris RZRs at the top of a dune.

Turbocharged Polaris RZRs overlooking the dunes at Sand Mountain Nevada — The turbo RZRs overlooking Sand Mountain’s open riding area.

These early builds are part of the larger story covered in our history of the Polaris RZR.

Modified UTVs and Aftermarket Equipment

The trip also provided an opportunity to look at several suspension, exhaust, tire and protection upgrades being developed for the rapidly expanding UTV market.

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT climbing a dune with a yellow flag at Sand Mountain — The Commander 1000 XT climbing through soft sand below the main mountain.

Elka suspension shock and Muzzys exhaust installed on a Can-Am Commander 1000 — Elka suspension and a Muzzys exhaust installed on a Can-Am Commander 1000.

Racer Tech three-inch mid-travel front suspension installed on a Can-Am Commander — Racer Tech three-inch mid-travel front suspension.

Red Kawasaki Teryx with CST three-inch long-travel suspension — A Kawasaki Teryx equipped with CST three-inch long-travel suspension.

Rear paddle tire and beadlock wheel on a Can-Am Commander 1000 — A rear paddle tire mounted on a beadlock wheel for dune use.

Pro Armor aluminum door installed on a Polaris RZR 800.

Views From Sand Mountain

Sand Mountain’s height and steep face have always made it a useful performance benchmark. The recreation area also offers broad views over the surrounding Nevada desert, along with bowls, ridgelines and smaller dunes that work well for photography and suspension testing.

UTVs gathered below Sand Mountain with the Nevada desert in the distance — Looking over the riding area from the upper section of Sand Mountain.

Can-Am Commander and John Deere Gator XUV 825i facing Sand Mountain — The Commander and Gator parked below Sand Mountain’s main face.

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT and John Deere Gator XUV 825i parked together — The Can-Am Commander 1000 XT and John Deere Gator XUV 825i represented two different approaches to the 2011 UTV market.

More Photos From the Test Session

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT traveling along a Sand Mountain dune ridge — Following the Commander along a dune ridge.

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT viewed from above on the Sand Mountain dunes — The yellow Commander crossing the open riding area.

Turbocharger and exhaust system on a modified Polaris RZR — Turbocharger and exhaust components on a modified Polaris RZR.

Custom long-travel sand rail climbing Sand Mountain Nevada — A custom long-travel sand rail climbing the dune.

Riders gathered around a red turbo Polaris RZR at Sand Mountain — The group stopped with the turbocharged RZR on the dune.

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT cresting a dune under cloudy skies — The Commander cresting a dune beneath the changing Nevada sky.

Can-Am Commander 1000 XT crossing a large open dune at Sand Mountain — The scale of the dunes made even a full-size UTV look small.

A Snapshot of the UTV Market in 2010

This trip captured an interesting point in UTV history. The original Polaris RZR had created a new sport category, aftermarket companies were rapidly adding turbochargers and long-travel suspension, and manufacturers such as Can-Am and John Deere were introducing more powerful recreational and utility models.

The Commander 1000 XT brought V-twin power and premium features into the recreational segment. The Gator XUV 825i significantly expanded John Deere’s performance envelope, while modified RZRs demonstrated where the sport side-by-side market was heading next.

More than a decade later, the performance figures may no longer appear exceptional, but these vehicles helped establish many of the categories and expectations that define today’s UTV market.