I was sold on the Polaris. Found a great deal and have heard many good things. Then I went to visit a CanAm dealer and I'm stuck. I love the looks of these outty machines but the price is going to be about 2-3 thousand more dollars then the Polaris. Am I really getting that much more in the Can Am 650 compared to the Polaris Sportsman 500? I know this is a board for Can Am users but I'm looking for and honest and un-biased opinion. Cheers.

 

The can-am 650 is a good bike! They have alot of ground clearance and a decent ride to go along w/ it. And they make good power. In my opinion the Polaris wins the ride comparison they dont feel as top heavy as a can-am the polais also has alot more storage room than the can-am.The other plus for the Polaris is the 4x4 system, it has no slipping diffs just throw the switch and your in, sometimes you will have to wait for the system to engauge i'e rear whill spin but it's not a big deal.

 

$2,000. is a lot of difference. Are you pricing the XT with the winch and other goodies against a standard Popo? It really is not fair to compare the 650 to the Popo 500. They are leagues apart. The Outie should cost more, it gives you a lot more. Best advice, ride them both, take a look at the fit and finish, size of components, etc. and make up your own mind. As an Outie owner, I am biased. The CanAm wanna-be's (Popo owners) are also biased. Sometimes I wonder why so many non-CanAm owners like to spend time on the CanAm forums spouting expert opinions! Good luck and have fun with your choice.

 

Like Cardiac go test ride both and you will know witch one you want.Just remember bigger does't allways mean better.

Its funny how the most opinionated are the least informed!

 

Don't be so hard on yourself! Lets see, Can Am 800, Popo 500, Grizz 700, Nitrous DS 720, Nitous KFX, Banshees, Nitrous LT 500, DS Hyabusa 1300 w/ turbo, Predator 500, LTZ 400, King Quad, Vinson and some I can't remember. Yep, lacking on experience.

 

I always accepted it as fact that the Can-Ams were much more expensive than all other bikes. Until I started shopping for one. Since I was looking at the XT package I started comparing other brands if optioned with the same equipment. Prices for quads in the $7,000 to $9,000 range differed by one or two hundred dollars - that's it.

I was at an open house for our local Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Yamaha/Can-Am dealer over the weekend - they were discounting $1,000 off of many of the bikes, including the Can-Ams.

The Can-Amn 500 will be faster than the Polaris 500. The Can-Am 650 is in another class. A more equal comparison for the C-A 650 would be the Polaris 700. All are good bikes. Check them all out, see how they feel and see what kind of deal you can make.

Jaybee

 

I've ridden both these machines. Well sportsman 700 and outlander 650. they both handle well, and I was pleased with both rides. I choose can-am over polaris because of a couple of factors. First of all I really liked the look of the outlander vs the polaris (strictly a personal opinion) and I just felt the outlander has a few really nice innovations that I really liked. like the TTI independant rear. I also felt that the Outie had a more smooth acceleration curve when I rode it vs the polaris. It seemed a little choppy. (don;t get me wrong it was still nice to ride)

PErsonally I think you will be happy with either one (polaris or can-am)they are both good. If you are thinking about the outtie 500 vs the 650. I would say go 650. for the extra cash it is extremly worth the it! in the 650 you are getting a lot more than just a bigger engine. (for trail riding the extra CC's are seldom used, but on the 650 you also get a better suspension system as well, which I am pleased that I have.

 

I've owned several Polaris atvs, (and Honda/Yamaha) I just purchased a CA 650 XT on Sat. A friend of mine has a 800 Pol sportsman, fast, big/wide/heavy. My first ride on the CA was Sunday. Fast enough for me, do not need the 800 CA. What I feel is important in desiding which brand purchase to make is the following; plenty of suspension travel, soft foam in the seat, 4x4 system, turning radius, width and weight. I like both CA and Pol, the CA should perform better on tight trails, narrow width. The gas tank on the CA is under the seat/rear rack giving it a lower center of gravity, I hate roll overs. You are comparing the 500 Pol to the 650 CA, consider how you will be using your atv and the additionl cost of the CA (I paid $50 over invoice and got a 3 year warranty.) Side note, I remember when a 400cc was a huge machine. Good Luck.

 

I bought the 2008 Outy Max 650 XT package because the power was right, reviews were good, and the price was the same as another brand with equal power and matched accessories. The Can-AM promotional package offered an extended 3 year limited warranty package at no extra cost. That promotion is still on. I have no regrets. The 650 has a lot of power, rides great, wider wheelbase gives more stability to the ride and it holds its value very well. I have had no problems with it at all. Good luck in your choice.