ATV Test: Can-Am Outlander L 500 DPS
Can-Am vehicles have been called a lot of things throughout the years but rarely is “budget-friendly” at the top of that list. And who can fault them? Solid specs and quality components cost money. Plus, unlike many overseas manufacturers who enjoy the benefits of strong currency conversion, Can-Am is located and Canada where the dollar conversion often works against them.
However, they know times are tough. Rather than simply alienate potential customers with high MSRPs, Can-Am designed a whole new series of ATV designed to keep the cost low. Ordinarily companies accomplish this by cutting corners, saving money by running cheaper components and outsourcing production. How Can-Am accomplished this is truly a mystery to us. The Outlander L series cuts no corners and comes set up as many of the brand’s upper echelon offerings.
How Affordable Are We Talking?
The answer to that one depends upon what features you’re looking for in a machine but our local dealership has a couple of fully-loadeds in stock for $7,100. You can expect about a $300 savings if you don’t need power steering and closer to $6,500 if the base model fits your needs. If these prices don’t sound bargain basement to you, keep in mind our dealer also had the Outlander 500 DPS (non L-edition) in stock for $8,800.
What’s Missing?
Honestly, not much. The L series lacks the latest digital ignition, ultra headlights, tricked out composite racks (functional steel here) or the blinged out muffler treatment.. The important stuff is all here: The same 499.6cc fuel-injected, 8-valve, single-overhead-cam v-twin, chassis, selectable 2WD/4WD and Visco-Lok front differential. In fact, as mentioned above, there are even packages that include such goodies as the electronic power steering (EPS), and trick aluminum wheels. The bottom line is unless you are an absolute sucker for attention to detail, there is a lot of money to be saved by picking up an Outlander L 500 DPS!
Firing It Up
Have you had a chance to swing a leg over a modern fuel-injected 4-stroke equipped ATV of late? Firing these beasts up is a far cry from the old days when finicky carbs and weak batteries often meant scrambling to find the backup recoil start- or often times hoping there was a backup starting method! The Can-Am L 500 barks to life with a smooth, metered sound closer to what you could compare to a well-tuned Japanese sport bike than say a gargling American twin. Even blipping the throttle refuses to unsettle its steady cadence.
The cockpit is open and roomy, the ergonomics tight while feeling high quality. The fully automatic transmission is of the continuously variable variety so slipping her into gear is a matter of opting between two forward ranges (and again you have the option of entering 4WD at any time).
Blast Off
The Outlander moves out with authority if you’re heavy on the throttle and even we jaded high-performance junkies can appreciate the zip Can-Am integrates into its utility-oriented models. This isn’t to suggest that the Outlander only excels at, well accelerating either; this is a machine with a personality to match your throttle thumb. Get on it hard and it pulls good and strong, from idle right up into a top speed of around 65mph. All the while it revs freely, feels a lot lighter and more nimble than its 703lbs of dry weight would suggest.
However, take things a bit easier with the ol throttle thumb and ample torque for hauling, climbing, mudding or towing is easily on tap. The machine is rated for 1,300lbs of towing and a hitch is included stock.
Trail Work
Aside from a truly versatile engine, perhaps the Outlander’s most impressive handling trait comes in the form of its suspension package. At times the machine’s ability to track straight through rough trails and absorb chop had us forgetting this is utility-quad suspension we’re talking about here! There was a time in the not-so-distant past when utility ATV shocks meant stiff, unresponsive with limited travel. With 9″ of travel in the front and 8.8″ trailing arms-style in the rear, the Outlander deliver fantastic traction without beating up its pilot. It swallows up trail clutter effortlessly, climbs with authority and isn’t afraid of deep mud crossings should such things tickle your fancy. You’re working with over 10-inches of ground clearance here so getting hung up on the frame is not a factor.
Conclusion
Can-Am is truly on the leading edge of combining sport with utility with its 4x4s and the Outlander L 500 DPS is no exception. It’s literally got a personality to match the rider’s mood. If you’re feeling like some spirited trail riding, it’s got you covered. Feel like tackling a steep climb or crossing a pit of festering ooze? It’s got you covered. Have to drag a downed limb and stack the firewood on the racks? It’s got you covered. About the only place it doesn’t excel is on the track, in the air or the sand dunes. But if those conditions represent your idea of a good time, there are certainly machines much better suited to your needs anyway.
Fit and finish are excellent, there is ample storage between the racks and integrated trunk, and nearly everything we love about the Outlander DPS has survived the transition into the L series. About the only thing Can-Am managed to skimp on here was the dollar amount.
Best of all, we’ve received word that for this year, the Outlander 570 will also be getting the lower-coast L series treatment. Score!
Specs
MODEL TYPE Utility
WARRANTY 6
ENGINE:
ENGINE TYPE V Twin
CYLINDERS 2
ENGINE STROKE 4-Stroke
VALVE CONFIGURATION SOHC
DISPLACEMENT (CC/CI) 499.6 / 30.5
CARBURETION TYPE Fuel Injected
TRANSMISSION:
TRANSMISSION TYPE Continuously Variable (CVT)
PRIMARY DRIVE (FRONT WHEEL) Shaft
REVERSE Yes
WHEELS & TIRES:
FRONT TIRE (FULL SPEC) Carlisle Trailwolf 25 X 8-12
REAR TIRE (FULL SPEC) Carlisle Trailwolf 25 X 10-12
BRAKES:
FRONT BRAKE TYPE Dual Hydraulic Disc
REAR BRAKE TYPE Hydraulic Disc
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
WHEELBASE (IN/MM) 51 / 1295
DRY WEIGHT (LBS/KG) 703 / 319
FUEL CAPACITY (GAL/L) 5.4 / 20.5
SEATS:
SEAT HEIGHT (IN/MM) 33.8 / 859
NUMBER OF SEATS 1
DRIVE LINE:
DRIVELINE TYPE Selectable 4X2 / 4X4
NUMBER OF DRIVE MODES 2
LIMITED SLIP DIFF Standard
DIFFERENTIAL LOCK Standard
STORAGE:
REAR RACK Standard
FRONT RACK Standard
TRUNK Standard
LIGHTS:
HALOGEN HEADLIGHT (S) Standard
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