When Yamaha rolled out the YXZ1000R back in 2016, it wasn’t built to blend in—it was built to stand out. With its screaming three-cylinder engine, crisp manual transmission, and an unfiltered connection between driver and machine, the YXZ1000R carved its own path in the off-road world. Now, as Yamaha officially closes the chapter on the iconic pure sport side-by-side, it’s going out exactly the way it should—on top.

A Championship Farewell

At the 2025 Championship Off-Road series, Yamaha factory driver Owen VanEperen sealed both the Pro SxS and Pro Stock SxS titles behind the wheel of his YXZ1000R. Even better? He shared the podium with his father, Rodney VanEperen—another long-time Yamaha racer and a staple in the YXZ program. Together, the duo made history, becoming one of only a handful of father-son pairs to stack multiple championships in the same season.

The setting couldn’t have been more fitting: Glen Helen Raceway. A track etched into off-road racing lore; Glen Helen has been the scene of countless YXZ wins. This time, it served as the perfect backdrop to celebrate not just a victory, but the legacy of a machine that redefined what a pure sport side-by-side could be.

YXZ1000R: Built for Drivers, Not for Everyone

From the beginning, Yamaha made it clear the YXZ1000R wasn’t designed to be the everyman’s side-by-side. It was raw, high-strung, and built with a purpose—putting the driver at the center of the experience. The three-cylinder engine thrived on revs, and the manual gearbox gave riders full control over every ounce of performance. Whether it was tearing across dunes, carving desert trails, or ripping through short-course tracks, the YXZ spoke to those who wanted more than just another UTV—they wanted a true driver’s machine.

That philosophy paid off in competition. Just since 2024, YXZ racers have stacked up:

16 Pro Stock SxS Championships

7 Pro Mod/Turbo SxS Championships

4 Pro Am SxS Championships

6 Sportsman SxS Championships

It’s a résumé few machines in the sport can match.

The Last Chance To Own History

With 2025 marking the final production year for both the YXZ1000R and the paddle-shift-equipped YXZ1000R SS, enthusiasts now have a closing window to own a piece of off-road history. Yamaha dealers still have units available, but once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Like every Yamaha Side-by-Side, the YXZ was proudly assembled in Newnan, Georgia—built in the U.S. for riders across the globe.

YXZ1000R: A Legacy Cemented

The YXZ1000R may be bowing out of production, but it leaves behind a loyal following, a stack of championships, and a reputation as one of the boldest pure sport side-by-sides ever built. It wasn’t for everyone, but that’s exactly what made it special.

And thanks to the VanEperens’ championship run, it exits the stage the only way it knows how—wide open, revving high, and at the front of the pack.