I am trying to decide on a 2011 Can Am Outlander Max 800 Xt-P or a 2011 Polaris Touring 850 EPS. I am leaning towards the Can am because of the included winch, bumper guard, nicer seating, etc. I also like the finish of the plastic (although it will be covered in mud once i use it...). I do like the "true" 4wd of the polaris and the price is lower. Any thoughts? I like the way both ride on my limited test drives, just wanted to hear from those who have really tested them.

 

iv gotten to test the renagade 800 in mud and and the polaris 850 but im a can am ridder and i loved the power the 800 had i felt it blow every quad i rode with that day they go through anything i loved the visco differensol on them you have power to all four wheels at all times and you have none of this 3 wheel drive when you in bad situationsbid go canam youd be happer but its your choice my outlander 400 is a 2003 with 400o miles put on iy and its seen nothing but mud and i can say its on stoppable and has been maintance free besides oil changes and gressing thing up

 

Thanks atvkiller,
My brother had a can am renegade 800, a polaris 700 and yet even a yamaha grizzly 600. I loved all three, but the can am was so much more fun to ride. Obviously the can am was faster than the others, but the handling, seating comfort and ride was still better. This was back in about 2006. I just keep hearing about this "3" wheel drive complaint. I also hear that Polaris is known to need more service and the parts and service are more expensive. Non of the three above were two seaters. I do feel that the polaris is for a lack of better word, plasticky. Not that it matters that much, but the can am seems to be better all around...sounds like i have made up my mind...

 

that was like a therapy session..you just laid down on the table and talked yourself thru it..and you made a great decision....that may have been the most successful therapy session ever...welcome aboard

 

Both have super comfortable rides with a slight nod to Polaris for both ride and comfort. Both are about even speed-wise with the Can-Am a little quicker off the launch. Polaris has a stronger frame. Where I ride in the New England area it's a good thing. We did a frame insert in my son's Renegade just to have a little added peace of mind. I also give the nod to the Polaris AWD system. It's instantaneous. I'm pretty sure the 2011 Can-Ams have the newer quick engagement Visco Lok. Haven't seen it in action enough to really give it an opinion. Both are great quads. You probably won't be disappointed by either of them.

 

No longer a concern with the new Visco QE. It's every bit as Good as the Polaris. I have both. I do agree that the Polaris is a more "plasticy" than the Can-Ams. I can't comment on the Outty ride. But.... My wifes new 550 Touring is plush for the trail cruiser, but lacks at a fast pace. That's where my Rene shines. Never rode an Outty.

Hope you enjoy whatever machine you buy!

 

I have ridden both and personally I would take the CanAm over the Polaris but I can't take the heat from the clutch. A full day riding in 90+ degress would surly bake your leg.

I'm not saying buy a Honda (besides they have nothing in the 800 class) but I have left more ATVs with lockers sitting at the bottom of the hill than ATVs with lockers have left me sitting at the bottom of the hill.

A locker is only one part of the package.

 

Even the newer QE system is not instantaneous. YouTube - ‪can am 2010 Visco-Lok QE‬‏ by the looks of this demo.

 

Seen that vid and it looks fishy to me... That's not the way my Rene QE works in real world conditions. I get no wheel spin. Just like my older '99 polaris and our new '11 touring. Both systems work great.

 

I just don't see not being instantainous an issue