I remember when the 2019 yamaha yxz1000r ss first hit the dirt, and honestly, it felt like Yamaha was finally giving the people exactly what they'd been asking for. Before this model year, the YXZ was a bit of a wild child—fun as heck, but it had some quirks that made it a tough sell for people who weren't professional racers. But when 2019 rolled around, Yamaha went back to the drawing board and fixed the stuff that actually mattered.
If you've ever spent time in a traditional side-by-side, you're probably used to the "rubber band" feel of a CVT transmission. You step on the gas, the engine screams, and eventually, the wheels catch up. The 2019 yamaha yxz1000r ss is the total opposite of that. It's got a real gearbox, and the "SS" stands for Sport Shift, which means you've got paddles on the steering column. It's about as close as you can get to driving a rally car without having to wear a fire suit and a Hans device every time you want to go for a trail ride.
The Magic of the Sport Shift Transmission
The heart and soul of this machine is that five-speed sequential manual transmission. But since it's the SS model, there's no clutch pedal to worry about. Yamaha uses an automated clutch system that handles the engagement for you. You just click the paddle, and the gear changes almost instantly. It's incredibly satisfying. There's something about hearing the engine rev up to that 10,500 RPM redline and then clicking into the next gear that a CVT just can't replicate.
In the 2019 update, Yamaha actually changed the gearing. The older models were geared pretty high, which made them a bit of a pain if you were trying to crawl through tight, technical woods or up a steep, rocky hill. They shortened the first gear on the 2019 yamaha yxz1000r ss, and it made a world of difference. It's much more "stall-proof" now, and you don't feel like you're constantly abusing the clutch when the trail gets slow.
That Triple-Cylinder Scream
We have to talk about the engine. It's a 998cc inline triple, and it sounds like nothing else in the woods. Most UTVs have a twin-cylinder that sounds a bit like a lawnmower on steroids, but the YXZ sounds like a sportbike. It's got this high-pitched, mechanical howl that just encourages you to keep your foot down.
It's not turbocharged from the factory—at least not this specific base trim—but that's almost part of the charm. The power is completely linear. You know exactly what you're going to get when you poke the throttle. There's no waiting for a turbo to spool up; it's just instant response. That said, if you're a power nut, the 2019 internals were actually beefed up with stronger connecting rods, making it way easier (and safer) to bolt on a turbo kit later if you decide 112 horsepower isn't enough for your ego.
Solving the Heat Problem
One of the biggest complaints about the earlier YXZ models was the cabin heat. Because the radiator was mounted in the front, all that hot air would wash over the driver and passenger. If you were riding in the summer, it felt like you were sitting inside a hairdryer.
For the 2019 yamaha yxz1000r ss, Yamaha moved the radiator to the back. You can see it sitting right behind the seats. This did two things: first, it kept the cabin way cooler, which your legs will thank you for. Second, it stopped the radiator from getting packed with mud. If you've ever had to stop a ride because your machine was overheating from a clogged radiator, you know how big of a deal this is. It stays clean, it stays cool, and it looks pretty aggressive back there too.
Handling and Suspension Tweaks
Yamaha didn't just stop at the radiator and the gears. They also messed with the suspension. The 2019 model came with Fox 2.5 Podium RC2 shocks. They're fully adjustable, which is great, but Yamaha also took the time to re-valve them for a more compliant ride.
The older versions were notoriously stiff. They were great if you were hitting massive jumps on a motocross track, but they'd beat you up on a normal trail. The 2019 setup is much more balanced. It still feels "sporty" and firm, but it doesn't feel like it's trying to shake your teeth out of your head every time you hit a root.
One thing to note: They also moved to a larger wheel and tire setup this year. Going to 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires from the factory gave it a bit more ground clearance and a larger footprint. It might not sound like much, but in the world of off-roading, an extra inch can be the difference between clearing a stump and getting hung up on it.
Braking and Control
They also upgraded the brakes for 2019. They went with larger rotors and updated the calipers. When you're flying down a trail at 60 mph, you want to know that the thing is going to stop when you ask it to. The pedal feel is firm, and it gives you a lot of confidence to deep-brake into corners, which is exactly how this machine wants to be driven. It's not a "point and shoot" cruiser; it's a driver's machine.
What's it Like Inside?
The cockpit of the 2019 yamaha yxz1000r ss feels very intentional. You sit low in the chassis, which gives you a great sense of what the car is doing underneath you. The seats are supportive, and the steering wheel feels good in your hands.
The dash is a mix of digital and analog, which I personally love. Having a big analog tachometer right in the center is perfect because, with this machine, you're actually paying attention to your RPMs. You aren't just floor-boarding it and letting a computer decide what to do. You're the one in charge of the shift points.
Is it perfect? Well, no. The storage is pretty much non-existent. There's a tiny glovebox and a small bed space in the back, but don't expect to pack for a week-long camping trip in this thing. It's built for shredding, not hauling gear. Also, the ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure) was redesigned in 2019 to look a bit sleeker and provide better visibility, and it definitely makes the machine look more "finished" than the older versions.
Is the 2019 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS for You?
Here's the reality: if you want a machine that does everything for you, buy something with a CVT. If you want to put it in "High" and just steer while you chat with your passenger, the YXZ might actually annoy you. It requires your attention. You have to think about what gear you're in, you have to manage the revs, and you have to be active.
But if you're the kind of person who loves the process of driving—who likes the mechanical connection between the engine and the dirt—then the 2019 yamaha yxz1000r ss is about as good as it gets. It's reliable, it's tough as nails, and it offers an experience that literally no other manufacturer provides.
You don't have to worry about blowing belts halfway through a ride, which is a massive peace of mind. You just gas it, click through the gears, and enjoy the sound of that triple-cylinder engine screaming toward the next corner. It's a pure, visceral experience that reminds you why off-roading is so much fun in the first place. Even years after its release, it still holds its own against much newer (and more expensive) competition. It's a classic for a reason.