2023 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 1000

There are almost too many good things to say about Yamaha’s RMAX 1000. The A-arm suspension and Fox 2.0 QS3 shocks earned the 2022 RMAX2 1000 the best RTI score we’ve ever seen, and made the black diamond–rated Trail 16 at Windrock Park seem like a backroad. Not only is the RMAX a fantastic trail and mud rig, but with a hydraulic dump bed and a 2,000-pound towing capacity, it’ll work for you.

The cabin can feel a bit cramped for larger riders, lack of insulation in the cupholders can heat your beverage, and there’s very limited storage room in the cabin.

The Yamaha Wolverine RMAX has been turning heads since its debut in 2020, and this year is no different. For 2023, it’s still the same machine that is near and dear to all of our hearts. It’ll rip through your favorite trail without complaining, compete with rock climbers, and haul stuff around your property—a true do-all rig.

There’s a reason the 2022 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX won our Rec-Ute Editor’s Choice award last year. Since the 2023 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX is the same machine as 2022, we couldn’t be happier. It still comes with Yamaha’s 999cc DOHC eight-valve parallel-twin engine, Fox 2.0 QS3 shocks, A-arm independent suspension, 30-inch GBC Dirt Commander 2.0 tires, and a best-in-class 13.8 inches of ground clearance.

Along with all of the base features, the RMAX Sport, XT-R, and LE editions will get the D-Mode three-way throttle control. If you want to fully customize your RMAX, Yamaha offers an array of add-ons and accessories to make the rig your own.

Instead of giving the RMAX performance updates, this year Yamaha opted for new colors and graphics. The updated color options include cyan and Yamaha black for the R-Spec, Desert Tan and Tactical Black for the XT-R, and Titan and Midnight Blue for the LE. The Sport was left out and is still only available in Team Yamaha Blue.

2023 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 R-Spec: $23,999

2023 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 Sport: $25,899

2023 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 XT-R: $27,199

2023 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 LE: $27,899

You can’t really go wrong with any trim level of the RMAX. Even if you choose the bare R-Spec, you can purchase a D-Mode switch for $336 that can be wired up to give the same three-way throttle control as the higher trim levels.

If we had to choose, we would go with the LE. The only difference between the LE and the XT-R, aside from color options, is that the XT-R comes with beadlock wheels and the LE comes with electronic shock-damping control. The XT-R still has shock-damping control, it’s just manually controlled by a switch on all four shocks. With the LE, adjusting shock stiffness is as easy as clicking a button. Oh, and you can adjust it on the fly instead of having to stop, get out, and adjust all four corners.

Although the new Desert Tan color option on the XT-R is enough to justify buying it.

All trims of the RMAX get the same 999cc DOHC eight-valve parallel-twin engine. This power is fed through Yamaha’s Ultramatic V-belt that stays under constant tension, meaning you can approach an obstacle in high or low gear without the fear of belt slip.

The transmission comes with low, high, neutral, and reverse gears and a separate parking-brake lever beside the shifter. You also get a three-way locking differential, 2WD, 4WD, and full diff-lock 4WD.

Each trim level gets a slightly different suspension configuration. The R-Spec and XT-R come with manually adjustable Fox QS3 piggyback shocks. The Sport trim gets Fox 2.0 piggyback shocks with preload and high/low-speed compression adjustments. The Limited Edition comes equipped with Fox iQS piggyback shocks with electronically controlled compression adjustment. A front anti-sway bar comes standard on every trim.

All four corners get hydraulic disc brakes.

The only comfort issues we had with the RMAX were after riding on rough terrain for more than eight hours. The small cab can feel cramped after a while, and contact points can feel uncomfortable to some. Both the driver and passenger seatbelts have manual height adjustment, but only the driver gets seat adjustment.

The three-piece doors open from the rear just like a car door, and, like most performance side-by-sides, the RMAX only has a door handle on the inside. Yamaha claims that the 2023 RMAX’s door opening is 63 percent wider than the previous year’s opening, meaning it’s easier to enter and exit.

All RMAX2 trims come with a plastic roof and every trim except the R-Spec gets a rearview mirror. The rear hydraulic bed can be tilted using a lever on either side of the vehicle. The XT-R and LE trims get a Warn VRX 45 4,500-pound winch.

The 2023 RMAX2 is rated to tow 2,000 pounds through a 2-inch receiver and haul 600 pounds in its drop bed.

The R-Spec and Sport trims are bare-bones compared with the higher trim levels. The only special electronics they get are exterior LED lighting, while the XT-R and Limited Edition trims add the Adventure Pro infotainment screens and a Yamaha SSV stereo. The Fox iQS electronically adjustable suspension components are unique to the LE.

The 2023 RMAX2 has a 20-hour break-in period.

Six-month limited factory warranty and a 10-year belt warranty.

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