HO sorry if I missed something but what made you switch from the Polaris to the Can-AM?

 

By the way both are good looking bikes. How do you like the ACT tire that come on the Can-Am?

 

I wanted a 2up and the Polaris offerings didn't fit my bill for various reasons,mainly no versatile 850XP 2up offering such as an X2. The 850 touring has no versatility and looks like a last minute throw together to me. Besides I had wanted to try a Can-Am for a while but the old Visco AWD system kept me on a Polaris. With the new Visco QE that wasn't an issue. So far I am very happy with my choice..
As for the tires...I honestly can't say too much about them,maybe put 10 miles on them before my Big Horns got here. But I will say they are darn sure better than the Terrathons that come on the XPs.

 

I guess my disagreement with the author was because of this statement:

"The 800 has only a single hand brake lever on the left side of the handlebar that controls both the front and rear brakes based on a predetermined setting from Can-Am."

He didn't even mention the foot brake...that I recall. Yes..It is a personal preference...but the way he states it is that the single handbrake is all you have...and it controls both rear and front (not specifying in 4 wheel). Just doesn't seem factual the way it is written.

 

Forgive me if I am getting the wrong idea....but it isn't clear that you are understanding the brake system properly.
The hand lever DOES apply braking to all 4 wheels regardless of being in 2wd or 4wd,in other words it applies fluid pressure to all 3 calipers. The foot lever only applies fluid pressure to the rear caliper,so if you want rear only braking use the foot lever..if you are in 4wd then the foot lever will provide 4 wheel braking via the drive line using the single rear caliper.
IMO the footlever has limited uses..holding the machine on a hill if stopped momentarily or when moving slow if your need your left hand free,or if the main master cyl fails it is a back up...using the footlever for much more than that just doesn't work for me. You won't see me trying to use the footlever to slide the rear around a corner..on a Can-Am that is what the throttle is for
But then again I see no need for seperate levers on a utility machine in the first place...each to there own.

 

Well thanks for the clarification. I guess I should read my manual. This is my first ATV so I really have nothing to compare it to. I'm pretty certain when the guy went over things when I picked it up at the dealers..He said the hand brake was for the front and the foot brake was for the rear. But then...He wasn't aware of some things that I knew...Like there was a remote for the winch. Anyways...thanks for straightening me out! I guess I have much to learn...that's why I love these forums!

 

JFYI this is the same exact way the Polaris works as well just with different modulation between the front and rear.

 

No sweat man...some times we can all use some clarification.
I hate to say it but I don't ever listen to the salesmen at a dealer...that goes for ATVs,cars ,trucks ect..they try to learn a little about multiple models and many times multiple brands and have no real passion for learning about them. Most of the guys on this forum could school just about any dealer on the particulars of their particular machine.

 

just read this one. great review! thanks for sharing.

 

Here is a side by side spec comparison with a 2010 and 2008, I don,t see much differance. Except the price sure went up.2010 Can-Am Outlander™ 800R EFI XT-P™ ATVs