Adding a new 4-wheeler to the stable. Have an 09 Sportsman 500 EFI at the moment. Found 2 i am interested in.

2008 Can Am Outlander 650 in yellow with 250 miles.(owner died) $4,900

2007 Polaris 800 EFI in cammo with 1,100 miles. $4,600


The Can-Am would be a new venture to me although i have always had Ski-Doo snowmobiles. Looks like a WELL MADE 4-wheeler but i just don't know much about them. Seating position seems better than my current polaris and is more comfortable just sitting on it. Was not able to ride it as the trialer it is on was blocked in. Will test it tomorrow.

The 800 Polaris is familiar to me as i have had 3 polaris 4 wheelers. Sold my 97 a few years ago with over 18,000 miles on it and no MAJOR issues. That said, I have met a few folks in the valley that had to rebuild the twin polaris 4 wheelers with under 2,000 miles so this worries me.

Anyone want to give up any pointers???

 

Can-Am 650 has great power. Probably comparable, if not, more than the Polaris 800. The first generation frames on the Can-Ams are on the weak side to me. They were known to bend where the front lower A-arms attach if you hit a rock or obstacle hard enough. Son had a Renegade 500 and I still have my 650. We stuffed both spar frames to stiffen them up. Used high molecular weight in his and 3 pieces of 1.25" box aluminum in mine. Good for peace of mind. Ride isn't as comfortable as Polaris. The 4wd system on the older Can-Ams is a bit on the slow side to engage. Much slower than the Polaris system. And the CVT is on the whiny side.

Polaris has a stronger frame and a better ride. Good on board storage too. There were a few years where the camo on the Polaris would turn to an odd purplish color if left out in the sun too much. Not sure if the 2007 is in the years they had the problem. Polaris also has higher numbers for towing and toting.

 

Thanks Moose! That helps a lot!

 

Welcome.

 

Picked up the Polaris today. Came with a plow, Gas racks and a $200 rear bag......

 

Post some pictures when you have some. Would like to see it.

Only thing I can think of that I might have missed is that, if this year model has the radiator on the bottom, and the winch on top, watch your radiator. They get clogged easily and should be cleaned thoroughly if they get clogged. I had a 2006 with that configuration. After a couple years riding I had to have the radiator taken out and cleaned. It was clogged with hardened mud/clay where the fan shroud kept me from being able to spray out the whole radiator. Each corner was clogged and was enough that it got hot a few times before I brought it to the dealer to look at. If I still had the machine I probably would have got a radiator relocation kit. We have lots of mud, water, leaves, etc. that can clog a radiator up pretty badly.

 

Here you go........

 

The camo will turn a little more purplish over time. The radiator is below so keep an eye on it. If you find it overheats I would check that first. While I like having the winch that high, the radiator gets more abuse. Overall it looks pretty good. Plastics are in very good shape.

 

I thought the purple problem was pre-05? This one has been garaged and will continue to be.....

 

Hope you're right. It looks like the camo they used at the time that had the issues. Worse comes to worse you could watch eBay for body panels of a different color. Still looks like a great buy to me.