The first is a 2007 Foreman 500 with electric shift.
It has a hard plactic box on the rear rack.
Black, excellent condition

The second is a 2006 Can Am (Bombardier) 800 XT
It has a hard plastic box on the rear rack.
Aftermarket adjustable rear shocks
Two sets of tires and rims
(one are stock, the second set is aluminum rims and Bighorn tires)
The guy told me he will also give me a matching helmet and ridning coat.

I want to upgrade from my Big Bear 350.
The quad will be used for recreational riding and hunting.

I can get them both for the same price, $5,000.00 even.

Which one??????????????

 

You will find that the Can Am is tall and has slopply long travel suspension, that will be really thrilling when you get it into an off-camber situation! On the other hand, the Foreman will feel solid and planted, and you won't be risking your life....

 

All depends on there condition, if there both in the same shape the Outlander 800 is leagues ahead of the Foreman 500. Even against the Outlander 500 the Foreman is not upthere let alone the 800.

A 800 XT,s M.S.R.P. is ,$10,000 while a 500 ES is $6,800.

800XT makes 60+hp while the 500ES makes 27 HP thats low even compared to other 500s.

Cant believe they want the same price for them both ,Unless the 800 has hidden issues.

 

The Outlander will be massively more powerful, and as TLC pointed out, books out higher.

The IRS Outlander will ride smoothly ove rough stuff, compared to the Foreman. Personally, though, the Outlanders I have tried have had kind of mushy suspension that seems a bit wallowy and they blow through most of their travel. I would imagine there's some aftermarket springs with a more progressive rate that would cure it.

The other thing I don't care for on the Outlander is the linked brakes.

Anyhow, both will be a step up from what you've got now. The Foreman IMHO will be more likely to be trouble free for tens of thousands of miles. I rode with several Bom 800's yesterday, though, and they had racked up a fair number of miles w/o major problems.

 

Two of you mentioned mushy suspension, thanks for your input.
For the record the Can Am has aftermarket adjustable shocks and the suspension has been stiffened up. The guy selling it wanted a firmer ride.

 

Usually the have adjustable spring rates, I only have adjustable rear shocks and I have them at the softest setting for a cushy ride,but when I set them to the stiffest setting it,s way stiffer than I think anyone would care for.

I think the Outy has adjustable shocks fromt and back.

Read this 500 comparison.http://www.powersportsnetwork....rof_review.asp?code=85

The two 500 Straight axles ATVs have far from a superior to a IRS.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>The Honda (even with its new KYB shocks) and the Suzuki provide an even more jarring experience in whoops. When ridden aggressively, the ride is harsh. Honda's low-speed ride is slightly more plush than the Suzuki, but when pushed the rear kicks and bounces over bumps, as does Suzuki's. </end quote></div>

I had the 350 Big bear and ride the 500 Foreman ,there not as big a difference in ride as you would want. There only so much you can do to improve a straight axle ride characteristics.

 

I have a 08 Grizzly/Kodiac with IRS and I noticed it does have smoother ride then the '08 Honda straight axle quads I rode recently. For pure fun riding the Can-am would be the way to go. But man that 800 must have a lot of power!!! I've driven the Can-am 650 and thought that thing had loads of power.

 

The 800 can am's do indeed have a bunch of power. One of the owners I was riding with said he often uses low range on steep climbs, just because it makes the power easier to modulate.

I rode one of the Max two seaters, and the extra length doesn't hinder it in tight twisty stuff as much as you would think.

If I recall correctly the suspension is adjustable, but installing a set of aftermarket springs is apparently the ticket for a big improvement at a small price.