Hi I have started to look at buying a quad this spring. I have been around quads, dirt bikes and snowmobiles my whole life as i live on a farm. I want to buy my own quad cause the quads we have are just work machines.

Im looking for the performance of a race quad but the off road capability of a 4x4. It will mostly be used for flying down the backroads with friends and playing in the mud every now and then. I basically want a fast 4x4.

Im leaning towards a newer (2006+) polaris sportsman 800 and Can Am Renegade

I am a first year college student so I can't spent to much cash but willing to be in the $6000 range.

So I am asking you for options and what years/brands/engine sizes are the most reliable.

 

If looking for the most sporty 4x4 go with the Renegade. It has pretty light handling for a 4x4. The 500 is a blast to ride and will keep up with 600-700 cc class machines. The 800 is ridiculously powerful. Not much out there that will beat it in the utility 4x4 class except for the 1000's. It's powerful enough to wheelie in high gear without thinking about it.

 

The Renegade is the sportiest 4x4. Yamaha doesn't make a sport 4x4 anymore and the Scrambler 1000 and 850 are more like Sportsmans with different plastics. They're heavier than the Renegade.

 

Same with the Renegade ,its a Outlander with different plastic and no racks. 2012 Can-Am Renegade® 800R EFI ATVs same motor ,frame, suspension, gas tank and tranny.

Strange thing is the Outlander should cost more then the Renegade because it has back/front racks and larger 26" tires but its the other way around.

I have even heard of people who have Outlanders who bought Renegade plastic , and bumpers to convert them over.

 

Depending on the year the Renegade is about 60-65 lbs. lighter than the single rider Outlander. Been on both and maybe it's something as simple as steering geometry but the Renegade is a little more nimble. Could be just the small difference in weight. Not sure. I love how the 500 rides. I've also wondered why they never put the 650 in the Renegade. Would be a perfect match to me.

 

The 65lb difference would be most likely the Outlander rear/front racks , larger 26" tires and larger utility style bumpers and plastics.
Both have the same SST-G2 frame that every other part bolts on to.

The Renegade has higher end Fox shocks but the same 9" suspension front and 9.3" rear (TTI) IRS suspension system.

 

The renegade really is a outlander without racks but it does have a few differences to make it more sporty. I've heard it has a lighter flywheel to make it rev a little faster but I'm not actually sure about that. Never seen the 2 side by side. Also has disc brakes on all 4 corners. Not sure if the new G2 outlanders have them as well but my 07 has the single inboard disk setup. Also the rear brake is operated with a separate brake handle. The renegade may have an inch less clearance and slightly stiffer shocks as well. I know in standard trim, the renegade shocks are a little bit better than the outlanders

 

The easiest way to know would be to look up a Outlander and Renegade fly wheel on a parts site and see if the part# is the same.

My guess is BRP is not bothering with producing a separate motor for the Outlander and Renegade and most sites rate the 800 outlander and Renegade both at 71hp.

 

Well I don't think the lighter flywheel would increase HP, just makes it rev up a bit faster.