2019 Wolverine X2 First Ride Review- ATV ESCAPE

Casey reviews the brand new 2019 Yamaha Wolverine X2 side-by-side. We introduce you to Yamaha's latest side-by-side and walk you through what we thought after spending some time behind the wheel.
Please subscribe to our channel!
For more information about the Wolverine X2 including specs, images, and written review check out atvescape.com .
See the full written review of the Wolverine X2 in the July-August 2018 issue of ATV & UTV ESCAPE Magazine. You can subscribe for free at atvescape.com/....
You can find our free ATV ESCAPE mobile apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android. Find your local trails, events, offers, dealers, and more, along with news, reviews, photos and videos. Download for free.
Thank you so much for watching!

[@joeruddy549]

My wife and I rented one last week down at Windrock ATV Park in Tennessee. I've never driven a UTV before, and I was really impressed. We rode the entire length of Trail 22, which is the blue trail, and most of it is really technical. I'm used to riding a KTM 300XC so picking lines, and driving a SxS was completely out of my league. After 5 hours on the machine, and not getting stuck once, I was sold.... enough to come home and buy one. My wife loved it, and we're looking forward to putting many miles on the new X2 R-Spec.

[@atvescape]

I love hearing about someone who is new to the sport and has such a good time that they buy a machine and jump in. That is basically what happened to me (Josh) in 2005 with an ATV. I know you will enjoy an Wolverine X2. Thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@bigdh2os814]

Great coverage and bought one myself in 2019. I'm only 5'10" and the throttle pedal was too high to keep my foot at a lifted angle all day. I purchased the "Throttle Max" you attach it to the pedal and problem solved! You can keep your foot planted almost flat on the floor as your toes actuate the throttle & much more precise when going over whoopties & bumps!

[@spyder000069]

Looking at these very seriously. I'm typically a Honda fan but our family does have the occasional TTR in our mix which have been good for us. We have our share of dirt bikes and four wheelers and now looking for our first SxS. I'm between the wolverines and pioneers and find myself stuck having to compromise on features. From online research it looks like the yamaha has the better suspension (which my back will appreciate) and the x4 has better rear seats but I prefer the geared transmission that the honda 1000 has (same as our rancher and foreman) which may also help keep it quiet which is a big deal for me (hate noisey exhausts). Any opinions on noise level while trail riding yamaha 850 vs honda 1000?

[@atvescape]

It has been a while since we rode a Pioneer. I know they are quiet. I will say the X2 & X4 might be the quietest UTVs or the market. I can't imagine the Pioneer being as quiet and certainly not more quiet. The seats in the X4 are superior to the Pioneer by a lot, and anyone back there will greatly appreciate the comfort. I wouldn't worry about the CVT transmission on the X4. Yamaha has a very durable setup on its CVT. I would suggest you go a at the very least drive one around the parking lot to see what you think before jumping in. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@dwarden3]

@@atvescape Don't forget the Yamaha has a 10 year warranty on the belt.

[@MassiveOverkill]

Take an X4 against a Pioneer for a day but neither can leave high gear (you can use 4WD as needed). I guarantee you the Pioneer will leave you walking home.

[@The.Real.Timmii]

JBS Performance has a machined sheave clutch kit for the X4/X2 that improves low and mid range response.

[@atvescape]

That is good to know. Thanks

[@MassiveOverkill]

You actually lose low end with a JBS sheave over stock. Dyno doesn't lie and the JBS sheave even has a 1.2 mm shim advantage, yet the Hunterworks sheave destroys it in low end performance, not to mention the JBS sheave has your engine screaming the whole time: www.wolverineforums.com/forum/268-x2-x4-cvt-sheaves-wet-clutch/28596-jbs-hunterworks-sheave-testing-tuned-dynojet-power-vision-2.html#post307044

[@moovendesign2050]

How about the low end torque? I am looking at one for grooming a ski trail -would be running Camso tracks, and pulling a heavy steel grooming drag. I am looking for a narrow work machine that has enough power/torque to handle heavy pulling in deep snow. Seems like this is a one of the better options...with Yamaha reliability. Also looking at the Can Am outlander 6x6 (very pricey$$') But would love to have a cab for long hours of grooming.

[@atvescape]

This is a tough question because we haven't ever thought through this one before! It is a very torquey engine on the low end. I don't know how much power the tracks rob or how it affects performance. In this particular segment of rec/utility I would think this is one of the best options for the reason you mentioned and for the low end torque. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@54warrior]

Also, i saw your comments about the "roominess". I am 6'7" and that's a concern for me. Could the seat mounting be modified?

[@atvescape]

Casey had the seat back as far as it would go, and to our knowledge there is not a good way to modify the seats. At 6'7" you are going to be cramped. I would say go sit in one. Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@jasonlewis995]

Wait for the twin cylinder viking. The current t Vikings have plenty of room I'm 6'3 and easily still 2 to 3 inches of space.

[@Lokyr00]

I wish it had the YXZ manual transmission

[@atvescape]

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. Yamaha looks at the manual transmission as a "sport" feature, and the Wolverine is a recreation vehicle. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@Lokyr00]

I know with 99% certainty it'll just have the CVT which is okay. I'm looking at one of these for my first side by side. I need one for work (light hauling and snow plowing) and play and the X2 seems like a good fit.

[@atvescape]

I think you will be really happy with this SxS for those purposes.

[@jamesdickson3616]

Good job yamaha

[@oxfordblues3559]

it has a reverse?

[@atvescape]

Yes it does. All of the UTVs that are made by the big brands come with a reverse. Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@jamesdickson3616]

Do they need many repairs

[@atvescape]

Yamaha machines typically don't need many repairs as a whole. We have not heard of any particular problems with the X2 as of yet. Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@collier6794]

Does it have belt

[@atvescape]

Yes it does. The Wolverine X2 has a CVT transmission with a belt, while the Honda Pioneer models have a hydraulic transmission just like your car.

[@YamahaOutdoors]

We stand by our durability, so it also comes with our Yamaha 10-Year Belt Warranty, if there's ever a concern!

[@jasonlewis995]

@@YamahaOutdoors part of the reason I bought one!

[@YamahaOutdoors]

@@jasonlewis995 Love to hear it! Have fun out there and hope to meet you on the trails sometime.

[@grunewaldy6]

I love my 2019 Yamaha wolverine x2 r spec eps

[@Tydy_Owl]

Nice job fellas with the mini review! How does the suspension feel?

[@atvescape]

Thanks Ryan for the compliment. The suspension is pretty darn good with the stock tires and setup. The r-spec version has KYB adjustable shocks that are excellent shocks, and the travel numbers offer a comfortable ride. Casey and I are very happy with the ride on the X2. Thanks for watching!

[@pipelinemechanic731]

Good review! Are you able too share your thoughts between the commander and this wolverine? I was planning on buying a commander but with the wolverines finally receiving a bigger power plant I may need to test drive one .

[@atvescape]

Thanks for the compliment. I would suggest you drive an X2 or at least go sit in one. They are vastly different vehicles. I believe the commander has a little bit larger bed and the engine is placed inside the cab. The Commander 1000 will have a little more power, but the engine compartment gets pretty warm and bleeds into the cab. It is also much much noisier. The Commander has more leg room, but no doors. Those are just my thoughts off the top of my head. I hope this helps!

[@nasser5286]

bad review, just riding and saying some infos that you can find it by company too!

[@atvescape]

Sorry you feel that way, but thanks for watching. We have just a short time to drive these on media intros. Hopefully we will get one we can keep for while and then do another video. Thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@dwaynegaskin8570]

What's top speed

[@atvescape]

I don't remember exactly, but I think it is limited at 50 or 55. I think it is 55. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@MassiveOverkill]

2020 XTR is now 55 MPH (up from 52). With machined sheave you can get 64 MPH.

[@54warrior]

How does this compare to a RZR 900 S??? I realize this is much more utilitarian, but the specs are quite similar.

[@atvescape]

I don't think they are really comparable because they are very different in purpose. We are fans of the RZR platform for so many reasons, but for any kind of work I would say pass. The RZR S has more of a fun factor from a sport point of view, and the suspension is truly setup for sport. The X2 is more of the rec/utility than sport. It is a great rec exploration-adventure vehicle, but not a sport SxS in any way. Sitting position is very different, power is different, how he power comes on is VERY different. It really boils down to what the majority of the riding is going to be. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment.

[@54warrior]

Sure does help. Subscribing!!!