ENGINE and PERFORMANCE: Can-Am Commander 800R vs. Polaris Rzr S 800

The Can-Am Commander 800R (799cc) and the Polaris Rzr 800 (760cc) both have stout twin cylinder power plants. The Polaris Rzr 800 uses a longitudinally in-line engine setup and the Commander 800R uses a v-twin design.  Valves per cylinder is also different with the Rzr breathing through two valves per cylinder and the Commander having four valves per cylinder.

These 800's get off the starting line quickly for their dry weights, the Rzr S 800 weights in at 1022 pounds and the Commander 800R at 1287 pounds.  This 265 pound weight difference should be a noticeable disadvantage in performance for the Commander, but the 800R v-twin engine compensates.  In multiple drag races, with different drivers, the Commander 800R edged the Rzr S 800 every time.  Unique to the Commander, the driver has the ability to choose between ECO MODE and PERFORMANCE MODE with a flip of the dash mounted toggle switch.  Our test driver did notice a difference in engine power between the modes.  The Polaris Rzr S did hook up better in our drag races due to the factory Maxxis Big Horn tires putting the power to the ground versus the Commander's Carlisle Black Rock.  Though the Commander 800 proved to be slightly quicker in hole shot drags, the margin was only by a couple feet.  Those that race the Commander remove the cargo bed to blast quicker acceleration during the hole shot and replace the factory Black Rock tires with something that will hook up better.

Unique to each respected engine is their rumble.  Most folks who are into the UTV scene can identify each of these just by the exhaust tone.  The Polaris Rzr 800 has a quick throaty bumble bee exhaust sound with a engine stroke of 2.99 inches.  The Commander 800R sounds like a cross between a stock car and a Harley Davidson with a shorter stroke of 2.42 inches.  Each sounds good, but I'll have to give the nod to the Can-Am's exhaust note.  When you start the 800R you feel like your belted into a modified baja truck!  Watch shootout video review.

Polaris Rzr S 800 Engine Specs:   Engine Type  Longitudinal In-Line Cylinders  2 Engine Stroke  4-Stroke Cooling  Liquid Valves  4 Valves Per Cylinder  2 Valve Configuration  OHV Bore (mm/in)  80 / 3.15 Stroke (mm/in)  76 / 2.99 Displacement (cc/ci)  760 / 46.4 Compression Ratio  10:1 Starter  Electric Fuel Requirements  Regular Fuel Type  Gas Fuel Injector  Yes Fuel Injector Size (mm)  40 Carburetor  No Carburetion Type  Fuel Injected
Can-Am Commander 800R Engine Specs:   Engine Type  V Twin Cylinders  2 Engine Stroke  4-Stroke Horsepower (bhp/kW)  71 / 53 Cooling  Liquid Valves  8 Valves Per Cylinder  4 Valve Configuration  SOHC Bore (mm/in)  91 / 3.58 Stroke (mm/in)  61.5 / 2.42 Displacement (cc/ci)  799.9 / 48.8 Starter  Electric Fuel Requirements  Regular Fuel Type  Gas Fuel Injector  Yes Fuel Injector Size (mm)  54 Carburetor  No Carburetion Type  Fuel Injected