The ATV is a 2009 800R Outlander with low miles (700 miles) . Its from a friend who wants something smaller for his wife and kid to use around camp he may even take my 350 as part trade LOL.

My only concern is I know can am had a weak frame issue and corrected it but was that after 2009?

 

The area that was considered to be on the weak side is the spar box frame where the lower front A-arms are bolted to the frame. Hit a front tire just right and it could bend the frame at that spot. Can-Am put an X-shaped brace in the 2011 and 2012 machines to address the issue. In 2012 the 800 and 1000 got the new generation frame and the 650 and 500 got the new frame in 2013 if I remember right.

The inside dimensions of the spar frame are 1.25" x 3.75". We bought a high molecular weight plastic spar for the Renegade that fit in like a glove. You have to cut the welds on the rear of the box frame on 3 sides and lift up the metal plate that covers the rear of the box frame. Grind off any excess weld material and insert the brace. Then you fold the flap back and screw in into the brace. Fills it up nicely and makes it super strong. My 2012 has the brace but I felt the spar frame was still on the weak side (I used to have Polaris' machines with their strong, heavy frames). I used 3 pieces of box aluminum that was 1.25" outside measurement. Measured to the X-brace that was in my frame and cut the 3 pieces and used a piece of 2x4 to bang it in. Good for peace of mind. There is an aluminum spar filler out there but it's more expensive.

 

I just bought a 2009 Outlander Max Ltd. 800R and can share some insight if you are still considering the machine. PM me.

 

The Guy decided to keep it. Looking at a 450 Grizzly now so I have a mid size chassis rather then a full size.
Seems to have the options my 350 Grizzly did not have like diff lock and low range with IRS.

 

Wow, weird that you would go from looking at a 800r to a grizz 450. I thought you were a HP junkie?

 

The 800 is a friends who was thinking of selling but changed his mind, I ride with him all the time and know the ATV is a good one.
Not a hp junkie with ATVs on our rough twisty narrow 30mph trails up here.
I,m a hp junkie with my Snowmobiles since there are many lakes and smooth groomed trails to get up to speed.

Looking at a 2010 450 Grizzly with 500 miles ,it even has the EPS. The Mid size chassis snake through our trail even better then the big full sized chassis ATVs I find.

 

Best trail atv I've ever had for maneuverability was/is the recon/250ex. Certainly not mud machines but when the trail gets twisty, they will lose any bigbore. I like my outlander, but it's big for a tight trail. Then again, it's a 2up. My brothers g2 renegade is a little better but still nothing like a small/mid size chassis. I've heard good things about the grizz 450 although if I was looking for a mid sized irs bike, it would probably be the rancher AT. Just preference though

 

Best trail bike I've ever had have been the recon/250ex. Talk about a snake. No bigbore can keep up with them when the trail gets narrow and twisty. My outlander is a tank in comparison. Then again it's a 2up so the wheelbase is longer. My brothers G2 renegade is a little better but it's still a handful in the tight stuff.
I've heard good things about the grizz 450. Seems like a solid bike. Always respected yamaha. Although if I was looking for a mid sized trail atv, it would most likely be the 420 rancher AT. Just preference though

 

Was considering the 420 AT because it also has the mid size chassis I,m after, but with no AWD system and dedicated low range I cancelled that out.
I Liked the EFI though but I have had no problem with carbs.
Also it has small 24 tires ,not that I would keep the stock tires for long anyways on any ATV.

The 400 Outlander, Rancher 420AT and Grizzly 450 and newer 350 are the only mid chassis with IRS so the choices are small.

There was a 400 Big Bear IRS but I can,t go back to foot shifting once your use to auto.