Head To Head: Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 vs Polaris General XP 1000

With all the excitement around the new Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000, we thought it would be beneficial to compare the RMAX 1000 to the Polaris General XP 1000 since that is clearly the side-by-side the RMAX is designed to compete in the sport/rec/utility segment where the General has dominated. We breakdown these two side-by-sides by the numbers and features in this Head To Head battle including some of our thoughts along the way. Now, just so you know, we are fans of the General and will be fans of the RMAX, so we are just looking at the numbers here!

Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 1000 XT-R

Related- Ok- Now We Have The Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 1000 & RMAX4 1000

Polaris General XP 1000 Deluxe

Related- Polaris General XP 1000 First Drive Review

Choosing The Models

In an effort to try to have as close of a comparison as possible, we decided to go with the trim level in the middle of the available models. This means we are comparing the Wolverine RMAX2 1000 XT-R Edition and the General XP 1000 Deluxe models.  There are aspects of this that aren’t exactly apples-to-apples which we will point out.

Power- Goes To The RMAX 1000

Both vehicles have a 999cc parallel twin engine. The RMAX puts out 108 horsepower while the General puts out 100 horsepower.

Transmission- Tie…sorta

Both vehicles have a CVT transmission meaning both vehicles use a belt. There are a couple of differences worth noting. The RMAX has a 10 year warranty on its belt. Yamaha’s Ultramatic Transmission has a metal sprag clutch which keeps the belt tight no matter what. This also means engine braking is very natural feeling and works by keeping the belt engaged to the engine at all times. The General has no engine braking at all, and we wish it had some.

Suspension- Goes To The RMAX 1000

By The Numbers

RMAX 1000

Front Travel- 14.2-inches

Rear Travel- 16.9-inches

Shocks- FOX QS3 Piggyback

Ground Clearance- 13.8

General XP 1000

Front Travel- 14-inches

Rear Travel- 14-inches

Walker Evans Velocity Series

Ground Clearance- 13.5

There is no getting around the stronger suspension numbers on the RMAX compared to the General, particularly in the rear travel numbers. The RMAX has a lot more rear travel meaning (theoretically) a better ride. We also need to mention the FOX QS3 shocks on the RMAX because these shocks have a simple “dial” to adjust the ride to 3 different choices with no tools needed. Even a novice can adjust this suspension setup like a champ. The General has the Walker Evans Velocity series shocks, which are also adjustable and offer a solid ride, but they are not easily adjusted in comparison to the FOX QS3.

Overall Size- Tie 

General XP 1000- Length 118.2 Width 64 Height 75 Wheelbase 83- Stance 64-inches

RMAX2 1000- Length 119.3 Width 66.1 Height 77.8 Wheelbase 86.7 Stance 64-inches

Both of these vehicles are in the same ballpark of one another’s size. There are some small differences, but they really don't make a lot of difference in performance.

4 Wheel Drive- Tie

Both of these 4WD systems differently, but both work effectively making it impossible to really say one is better than the other. The RMAX 4WD system is called OnCommand and allows the driver to choose 2WD, 4WD-limited-slip front diff, and 4WD-diff-lock via rotating knob. It does allow the driver to choose when he or she wants what. The General uses Polaris On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system which allows the driver to choose between 2WD and AWD. When the rocker switch is set to AWD, if a rear tire slips a small amount, the front wheels “lock” and power is sent to both front wheels equally. This is the same as 4WD diff-lock. The Polaris system does it all automatically when needed and then goes back to 2WD. The Yamaha system allows the driver to choose. Which is better? It is truly a personal preference. We have used both extensively, and they both work very well on any and all terrain.

Sat-Nav Ride Command-Adventure Pro

This one is really hard to call because of the packages and price points. The RMAX 1000 XT-R comes with a built-in lockable yet removable Adventure Pro sat nav system. The General doesn’t come with RideCommand  sat-nav at the price-point listed below. It can be added from the factory as a part of a $2000 package which includes a stage 5 audio package. The fact the RMAX 1000 comes with this XT-R package we are comparing is a HUGE plus. RideCommand has some additional features that put it ahead strictly from a sat-nav perspective. It is a same there is not a General XP 1000 trim level that just includes RideCommand. We wish that was available from the factory as a model.

Wheels/Tires- Tie

Both the RMAX and the General come with 30-inch tires and 14-inch wheels on the RMAX with 15-inch wheels on the General. Both these setups are a value add that we are happy about.

Capacity- Tie

Overall both the RMAX and the General have the same capacities. Both cargo beds are similar in size, have a dump capability, and have a 600LB capacity. It is worth noting that the RMAX has a towing rating of 2000 pounds compared to the General’s 1500 pound rating. We do not see this as a big deal since they are in the same ballpark plus people would put the same trailer behind either one of these vehicles in the rare occasion a trailer needs to be towed.

Special Features- Tie

Both the RMAX and the General have a feature or two the other vehicle doesn’t posses. The RMAX has drive modes controlled with a dial which Yamaha has coined “D-Modes”. There are three modes: Trail, Sport, and Crawl. Basically the drive-by-wire system adjusts throttle response depending on the drive mode. Nothing like this is available on the General at any trim level.

The General has a features not available on the RMAX. That feature would the ability to unlock the rear diff when riding on sensitive ground. We are not sure how many people that really affects, but it is a nice feature to include. At this trim level the General includes a stage 1 audio system.

Interior- Tie

The General has long been known as a superior interior comfort vehicle. The doors alone made for another level of rider comfort at the time it was released. With high-back bolstered seats, lots of storage, a center console, and an instrument cluster with some pizzaz, the General sports a comfy cab. The interior of the RMAX is just as comfortable and even offers up a more polished automotive look and feel right down to the soft touchpoints. The RMAX interior is a departure from the more utilitarian side-by-side interiors it is known for, and we welcome that.

Additional Features- Tie

 Both the RMAX and General come with a front bumper, 4500LB winch, roof, and rear-view mirror. In other words, they both come loaded with most of the items all of us would want to add to a typical side-by-side.

Price- Goes To The RMAX 1000

Yamaha Wolverine RMAX XT-R Edition $21,999 | Polaris General XP 1000 Deluxe $22,999

Let’s start the bidding with the price of the RMAX 1000 XT-R Edition at $21,999. For that money you get a lot of features that match or exceed the General XP 1000 Deluxe plus the Drive Modes and Sat/Nav all for $1000 less than the General. Yes, the General comes with stage 1 audio and the RMAX doesn’t but the General doesn’t have sat/nav. Let’s say for the sake of argument those two features are a wash, then the RMAX 1000 is still $1000 less money. No matter how you cut it the RMAX 1000 has more value for your money.

Win Goes To Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 XT-R

It is fair to say that the RMAX 1000 edges the General out strictly by the numbers. More horsepower, suspension travel, and features at the price point aka value. You get more value for the money with the RMAX than the General. We are fans of the General and even more fans of the General XP 1000 because the ride is comfortable yet sporty making it fun to drive aggressively when the mood strikes us. We also have not driven the RMAX 1000 as of yet, so there is that variable. While numbers tell some of the story, they certainly don’t tell the whole story. Until we have driven it, we are not completely sure if the RMAX pairs apples-to-apples with the General, though it should. We are sure looking forward to finding out hopefully very soon! We also of course acknowledge people have their side-by-side preferences and no vehicle will EVER satisfy everyone. That said…based on the numbers… the RMAX 1000 XT-R brings in the win in this head-to-head comparison.

For more information on the different vehicles checkout their respective websites below. 

Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 Website

Polaris General XP 1000 Website