Good afternoon everyone,

I was looking to get some opinions on a used Can-Am I was checking out the other day. It's too cold out/too much snow right now for me to try her out, so I'm just asking for opinions based on the model/specs. I'd really appreciate any/all thoughts.

It's a '08 Outlander 400 max 2-up. 6k miles. Asking $3500

400 sounds small for a 2-up machine. Is this baby under-powered? Am I going to be wanting a bigger engine within months of buying this one? I'm completely new to the sport and will be doing primarily trail riding in NW IL.

 

The 400 is about as potent as most of the 500 cc class machines at that time. That being said I think a 400 is a bit underpowered for a 2-up. I had a Polaris Sportsman X2 500 with EFI instead of a carb. Couldn't keep up with everyone that had bigger machines on the wide open trails with steep hills. The kind of hills that are smooth but have a good incline where you can get up them in high gear. I'd recommend looking for a 500 cc Outlander Max if you can get one. Can-Ams 500 is around 50 hp. My son's Renegade has plenty of power and keeps up very well out on the trails.

I was behind a guy leading the pack on a Outlander Max 500 last winter where we were riding on groomed trails and could get some good speed up. The only place I could leave him behind with the 650 was on long straights where my top speed was a little better.

The only other thing I don't care for with the 2008's is the front differential is pretty slow to engage when you put it in 4wd. It comes on gradually rather than right away. It works but I like the newer Quick Engagement system they have now. Kicks right in.

 

i personally feel 650cc is the smallest you should consider for a 2-up.
the 400 rotax is as powerful as other 500cc class atv's - but the 400 outty even has a different chassis than the 650, 800 & 1000 outlanders. i would spring for the 650 imoh.

 

Easy boys,
The 400 is 30hp most 500s are 36hp.
The 400 is the only Outty that's not a high reving twin cylinder.
The 500 Outlander is 40 hp not 50hp.

Yamaha has much heavier 1,050lb side by side Rhino with a 25hp 421cc from the 450 Grizzly that gets good reviews. http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en....asp?veh=54059

I,m sure the 400 motor can handle a stretched 2up ATV MAX chassis, That weighs in at 665lbs, that's only 45lbs more then a single seater 400. 2008 Can-Am Outlander™ MAX 400 H.O. EFI ATVs
My Beer and Ice travel bag weight more then 45lbs some times.

These owners can not be all lying , they love there 400 MAX 2up. Vehicle Reviews for 2005 Can-Am Outlander MAX 400 H.O. 4x4
AND
http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en....asp?veh=37174
There is always whiners in every review , just look at the majority.

 

Not sure on the 2008 but the newest 500 Rotax is 46 hp. My bad. Newest 650 is listed as 62 hp.

 

My brothers gade 500 has 46 hp at the crank, same as a grizz 700 and a little bit lighter too. I'd say it has plenty of power for a 2up but a 400 is a totally different bike. I can feel the second person on my 650 max but I was still able to out accelerate a grizz with a passenger aboard my 650. Rotax twins are ridiculous, but the 400 is no twin

 

A 500 Can Am my have the same HP as a 700 Yamaha but the 700 will have more torque at that HP.

Torque is made by displacement.

That's why a 70hp 1300cc Harley can leave a red light in 3rd and a 120hp 600cc Rice rocket cant.
One has more hp but the other has much more torque .

In motorcycles they always list the hp numbers with a ("@ RPM") afterwards.
Some make 70hp at 3000 rpm and some make 70hp at 7000 rpm.

I have a feeling a sleepy 700 Grizzly makes its 45hp lazily while a 500 Outlander is at a much higher rpm stress limit making its 45hp.

Should read like this.

700 Grizzly 45hp@idle.

500 Outlander 45hp@ redline.

That's torque vs hp leason 101.

 

You didn't just say that the grizz makes it's 45 hp at idle did you? wow. Your right about the torque but the 500 beats a grizz in a drag race start to finish, I'm not saying that means anything but just putting it out there. I think they both make their max hp at 7500 rpms. I guess you can also hold the rincon vs sportsman 500 to the same theory right? Same with 2strokes vs 4 strokes. You can't keep changing your opinions just to argue with me. If I said the sky was blue you would disagree

 

LOL , I just like the talk, nothing personal.

But,

I was just explaining how a motor with less displacement can make the same hp of a larger motor.

But that does not explain why a 500 Foreman or Rubicon or 680 Rincon makes almost 10 hp less then most other ATVs with the same displacement.

 

Well the rubicon doesn't, it's a 500 with 34 HP at the crank, that's respectable. Only 1 hp less than the sportsman 500 The foreman is only 28 hp , guess it's slightly underpowered by today's standards. The rincons 39 HP is a bit low also but it isn't too much lower than the grizz at 45. Just a different focus is all. Less money into the engine but more money into the trans.