Been looking for a used 4x4. I've been mainly looking at either a Brute Force 750 or a Grizzly 700, but I recently came across a camo '06 Outlander 800 with a hair over 1,000 miles on it that is listed at $4,500. I know with the BF's I've been looking for an '08 or newer for the EFI and some of the other upgrades that came along. Are there any things that make an '06 Outlander something to avoid?

Guess I should add that I am looking for something to do work around the house and a little fun riding around the house and then (hopefully) taking out to some of the trails on weekends.

 

The Outlander 800 is a very fast utility. It will toast the other two in a race and is a good utility machine for work too. One thing I would mention is that the AWD system comes on bit by bit going from no spin to complete lock in a more gradual way than other makers systems. It works but makes rock crawling a little more difficult than other systems that either are locked with a push button or spool up to full lock with 1/5th of a turn difference in speed between the rear and front tires. I believe they made it engage more quickly in either 2010 or 2011.
The other thing is that the Can-Ams tend to have a weaker frame than other makes. If lots or roots and rocks stick up on trails that you want to take at a good clip it's a good idea to get a frame insert or a set of good skid plates like the Ricochet aluminum plates. We put an insert in my son's Renegade as we deal with more rocks and roots than smooth trails.

 

If you want more than armchair advice, you may want to visit can-amtalk.com or can-amforum.com. I have an 06, serial number 41, with over 7000 miles now. First thing was the OE shocks. Had them replaced under warranty with the factory HPG shocks. Installed skids to protect the (sic) weak frame and have ridden it hard ever since. Great quad and a real "smile" machine.

 

that's a very fair price for an 06 800 outty- but personally, I wouldn't buy any can-am pre 08. BRP became Can-Am in 2008, and a lot of critical updates were made to the can-am line up like with the ecm & fuel maps, they went with an all digital gauge cluster in 08, suspension, drivetrain & cooling system to name a few of the other updates.

The 06 / 07 was prone to some common can-am issues like overheating, front diff visco, fuel pump and suspension issues.
If you have the extra $1k to shop around for a decent 08- I'd go that way. Even a 650 outlander will prettymuch keep up if not out run a grizzly 700 & bf750.
those rotax power plants are torque monsters.
I would stay away from the 05 / 06 bf 750 also (just incase you were thinking of'em)

I'd take an 08 outty 650 / 800 over the grizz & bf... or, if that's not an option- I'd choose the grizz over the bf and 06 outty 800.

 

Just disinigrated my 5th belt...also replaced universal joints for the third time...other than that, pretty damn good machine.

 

5th belt and 3 ujoints?

are you running 32" tractor tires or something- cause that's a bit excessive in both cases.

never heard of anyone going through 5 belts and 3 uvj's in such a short period-

 

Nope, just 26 inch Mud Lite XL's, also tried different types of belts, Dayco Severe Duty, along with the Gatorback, and even a BRP Stock belt. As far as the u joints, they don't show much play, only an annoying clicking sound that goes away when I replace the U joint.

 

hmm- are you hammering the throttle when stuck, shifting from H to L while moving, engaging the 4x4 while spinning tires or going over 5mph or something? Taking water & mud in through your cvt breather? riding on tarred roads???
There has to be a reason why your atv is eating belts & cv's- it's not normal to go through 5 belts & 3 cv's in 5 years. Something's not right either with your atv or your riding technique.

I've had many 07-09 big bore outlanders & renegades with 27-28" tires and I don't ride'em easy- plenty of deep nasty mud, rivers and high speed rough terrain riding and jumping- I've never had a belt break (or slip) or cv fail- ever.

 

No, haven't abused the bike or rode stupid shifting in and out of high, or anything of the sort. I'm a 43 year old dad that still likes to ride with the guys and every once in a while I still like to lay the law down on who's bike is the baddest, but like I said, I don't abuse it. So maybe there is something wrong with the belt drive assembly on this particular bike, if so, I would love to hear some suggestions.

 

Wish i could help ya out- maybe something with the surface of your clutches- something is not adjusted right. Have you mentioned going through 5 belts with a dealer yet? Brought the bike in for an inspection?

belts are not cheap- for the price of a belt, you can have the clutch inspected.

breaking one cv might be just a bad part, but breaking 3 cv's in such a short period of time ... again, something is just not right there- especially running just 26" tires on a stock motor. I'd have a dealer mechanic look the bike over.