Before anyone starts bashing, this isn't a "which would win in a drag race" post...

I am looking to buy a 4x4 quad in the next few weeks, I have pretty much narrowed it down to the 700 Grizzley and the BRP Outlander Max 800 -

I am definitely a huge Yamaha fan, current rides are a Raptor660, YFZ450, YZ85 (sons), WR450, Blaster, and next spring will be adding a YZ450f - so I am familiar with Yamaha performance and reliability. That being said, here are my questions:

My father in law has a Grizz 700, I've ridden around with it a few times and really liked it. I have never ridden a BRP machine and have no way to compare the two. I am buying this one for my wife, but lets face it, I'll still use it more than her [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
I like the idea of a 2 seater since we usually have someone that wants to tag along on our rides, and everything I keep reading touts the power that the BRP 800 has, but as you can tell from my current stock of bikes, I have only really been into sport/race bikes. I don't really care what the drag race stats of the Outlander vs Grizz are, but I do want POWER, reliability, and comfort.

Does anyone have any real experiance with both of these machines and can you give me a good comparison of each?
Thanks.

 

Decisions, decisions!! Since I had 3 kaw?s I thought I?d look into the Brute first..I went back and forth between the Brute 750 & Otty 800 for a while. But being a die hard skidoo fan..I might have given the edge to the Can-am. One of the factors was Kaw failed again to have fuel injection, and the clutching was troublesome with my prairie (650.2003)...I needed FI. Then I got to test ride the can am, and after that the choice was easy.Later after I bought it A friend of mine was out ridding. He had a 2005 Griz, and I switched with him for several miles. The griz was smooth, stable & was trouble free for the rest of the day. I thought it was a little top heavy though?. I could see my friend behind me (cause only I knew the trail) and would often see his big smile.. It was quiet and smooth for the most part. We then switched and I sat back on my 800 can-am standard. I knew I was on a more stable machine the instant I sat back on it. When I started moving forward, it was like night and day smoother, much easier to steer and the performance ..well there is just nothing like it out there..My friend could not believe the Can-am..He said he has never ridden anything like it...I see your history is with sport and performance machines..I don?t think your past performance desire would accept less the the 800 can am.I used to drag race my 427 corvette, and love power that is controllable .You have that with the can am 800. its
insanely poweful (Love it ) yet it can rock crawl when you want it. I tour with mine in the forest trails, and when I want I just turn it on and hang on..You hear of people saying the ?Smile Never goes away? its true !! ....oh the 650 Vtwin might be another choice..word is its powerfull !! I realize this is not alot of info for you to make your final choice..collect and ask just like your doing....I've been "Around the Block" for a long time..had harleys, 454 Jet power boats, collect and play rare violins, you just about name it..I like quality and demand it. I'am very happy with the can am 800cc...Good luck with your choice !! WARNING Your toast if you test drive one ..lol

 

I appreciate the info.

I did post this same thread in the Yamaha forum.....the guys in that camp inform me that there might be some reliability issues with the Can AM - is there anything to this.

Has anyone had any mechanical issues that wasn't due to improper maintenance?

I.E. - Handa has valve and tranny issues with their CRF / CRF-X line. The honda guys don't want to admit it, but there is an issue - valves have to be adjusted wasy too often and some transmissions are locking up in 5th gear and its kept me off of the red 2 wheelers for the time being.....
The 2001 Yamaha raptors had tranny issues and one-way bearing issues as well......
Anything like that with the Outlanders?

 

I answered another thread on here just now between a polaris and a canam, you might want to read that one also.

There are three main problems with the Outys. The front suspension, heat probs, and the easily dented bottom spar frame beam. No protection at all. CanAm tries to gloss that over by saying the Outy will just 'glide' or 'slide' over trees and rocks. Unbelievable!

So the first thing, first tank of gas, is to put on belly skids, most guys do ricochets, $400. I should say here that I have put skids on every quad I've owned. It's just that skids are more highly needed on the Outy.

The next thing is some people have heat problems from the 800cc engine, about 1 in 8 according to a 200 quad poll. The seat, cvt cover and plastic are damaged when this happens. No problem at all with mine, it's a 1 in 8 chance it would be a problem with yours. Canam replaces any damaged parts and installs upgraded heat reflectors under the 3 year warranty.

The third problem is the front suspension, bottoming out and diving into corners. Again, I have never bottomed out on mine, it handles well. The 12" ground clearance advertised is false.

The Outy Max is an outstanding machine, 8" longer than the standard, your passenger will be sitting inside of the rear axle, not behind it.

Everything else, safety, comfort, power, handling, reliability, speed, acceleration, it's all Outy.