Hello, I am new to this forum and I need advice on a new quad. I want a two up machine in the 650-800cc range. I will use the machine for hunting, ice fishing, yard work and maybe some trail riding.

I test drove the 650 today and I loved it! I test drove the 800 last weekend and love that machine too!

I have questions about the Visco-Lok system. I have read a ton of posts about it working well in some situations and not so well in others. Will the Visco-Lok work well for slow trail riding over logs, sticky mud, snow and ice? I will not encounter a lot if any rocky mountains wear I live and ride. The 09's I guess has been designed to engage quicker than older models...is that true? I asked the dealer that and he was not sure. I do not want to have 3 tires stuck before the 4th tire is locked. By that time it might be too late.

Is this something to be concerned about? I love the way the MAX XT looked and it sounded awesome.

I am not trying start a brand war but I would like to hear from some people who own Can-Ams.

Thank you for your time!

 

Visco-loc works well in mud and other slippery areas. There have been complaints by some that it doesn't work well in rough areas like rocks - even been some youtube movies showing problems. I've never had any problems with mine in rocks, logs or other such areas. Visco does work differently from other lockers, but all it takes is a steady throttle and the visco stays locked in place and works fine.

There is an increase in wheel lock engagement speed from the '07 to the '08 &'09 models. I've never run the newer version, but don;t have any problems with how the '07 works. I've read reports on-line from guys who have had both the old and new versions and they really can't tell much difference. In the older models the visco engaged quickly. In the newer models it's quicker than that.

You'll probably find people who hate the Can-Am locker and others who love it. I'm very pleased with mine.

IIRC, you could have similar wheel-spin / locking issues with the Polaris as it also does not engage until it detects wheel spin - that's both for going into 4wd as well as locking the front end. It's a system that also in a love/hate thing, but it seems to work well.

 

Thank you jaybeecon55 for the good information. I want to get as much information about each machine before I buy one. I don't think I can go wrong with either machine. Each has its good and not so good points. Thanks for the help!

 

Love my Can Am and have had no issue with the visco lock...I have had it in all types of terrain..rocks, snow, mud, water...never a single issue...I absolute love it...

 

I can't vouch for how quickly the visco-lok works, but i do own a polaris sportsman 700, and i can say that the amount of wheel slip that's need to lock all four wheels is virtually undetectable. On another note, i got the chance to ride some can-ams for the first time a few weeks ago and came away thoroughly impressed with them. I honestly don't believe there's a wrong choice between the two of them, although the can-ams sound better without a doubt!

 

check out atvfrontier.com there are alot more outy owners over there. It is also a great site for them and the renagade.

 

Here is some horsepower info for ya

Can-Am Outlander 800__61.7 hp
Can-Am Outlander 650__55.4 hp
Kawasaki BF750 Carb___50.1 hp
Sportsman 800_________50.1 hp
Kawasaki BF750 EFI____49.8 hp
Suzuki KQ700__________48.5 hp
Yamaha Grizzly 700____45.6 hp
Sportsman 700_________44.3 hp
AC 700________________41.4 hp
Kawasaki BF650________41.4hp
Yamaha Grizzly 660____40.9 hp
Can Am Outlander 500__40.4 hp
AC 650 H1_____________39.3 hp
Honda Rincon 680______38.5 hp
Suzuki KQ450__________36.7 hp
Sportsman 500 EFI_____36.0hp
Sportsman 500 HO______34.5hp
Honda Rubicon_________33.9hp
Arctic Cat 500________32.0hp
Sportsman 450_________29.7hp
Can-Am Outlander 400__28.9hp
Honda Foreman 4x4_____26.9hp
Honda Rancher 420_____26.1hp
Yamaha Grizzly 450____26.0 hp
Yamaha Grizzly 400____26.0 hp