Honestly that's one of the things I like about the Polaris X2. At least the 2006 came with a full metal skid plate. Not as sporty as a CanAm 500 but I like it. I do like my son's CanAm. Definetly has more fun factor. Once we did the frame insert I felt a whole lot better about it. I think the fix CanAm did were for 2011s. Not sure about 2010s. It was an X brace inside the first foot or so of the spar frame. Guys who got one mentioned still getting the insert but cutting it shorter.

 

Trail Fest was a bust for me.... Didnt make the trip for reasons I will not post here.
so no test drive or additional thoughts about the machine.

 

I've had both a 2007 650 Max Xt and now a 2010 650 XT. Both are fantastik machines.

The main differences I see are that I bottom out less over rocks/logs now on the 650 XT than I did with the Max cause of the shorter wheelbase. Power slides around corners were nice on the Max but are still great on the shortie. We did some long days on the Max with my wife and i and it was a very comfortable ride for her. I didn't even feel her back there. Like already mentioned the small turning radius difference between the two is a small issue. Still rode through hundreds of Km's on tight trails with the Max.

Either machine is a good choice, but if you will be doing two up riding go with the Max. Just put in a frame mod or skid plates.