I started out looking at a Polaris Sportsman 500 Touring but have always wanted a Can Am 800. Now they have this X MR which is an amazing bike so I may just get it for ($12,500) which is a lot of money... Just wanted to know what people think about this decision. has this bike had any major problems yet? I can get the Polaris 500 Touring for $6499 and Will have to add Wheels, Tires, Snorkel kit, and lift kit.

 

you're trying to decide between a sp500 touring 2-up and an outty 800x mr

That's like saying... "should I buy this new ford explorer or this corvette!"

these two machines are totally different classes of atv's- each is designed to cater to specific trail attributes!

it's not like comparing say.. a sp500 to a kq500-

I think before you ask us what to choose, you need to come to some answer on what kind of riding you enjoy! what are you looking to get from your atv... because judging by your two choices, I'd say you have no idea.

 

It sounds like you would modify the 500 Sportsman Touring for mud anyhow. The two engines are night and day different. 500 is a good torquey single cylinder that isn't super quick. Get up to 55-60 at most. Pretty good on gas. Enough power to do just about anything and a super reliable engine. The CanAm 800 is a v-twin with gobs of power. It will do wheelies in a regular Outty. Not sure with the mud package though. The only drawback with the Outty is the frame is a little on the weak side. You can get a frame modification that is an insert that goes in the spar frame or a good set of skid plates will help. I think CanAm strengthened the part of the frame that was problematic within the last year or two anyhow. If money's not an issue and you want a mud machine go for the CanAm.