<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>While the Polaris frame may be as tough as an Abrams tank, it also weighs as much as an Abrams tank.</end quote></div>

Its a Utility ATV! weight and strength is a advantage. Go to a pull contest and the first thing they do is add weight for traction. When you plow people add weight to them.

I was pulling small stumps with my ATV, I hooked up to a stump that was planted good and the ATV stopped dead in it tracks and I went over the handle bars because the ATV jerked to a stop so quick.

If I had some 550-600lb light weight Utility ATV with some type of aluminum alloy frame it would of bent and been a " write off",in stead I just got back on and move to the next stump and continued the day.

Even if they could make a Sportsman 800 that weighs 300lbs , You would need 500lbs of sad bags for it to get traction.

Farmers do not hope the newest John Dear tractor will will weigh 1000lbs less than last year's.

The Outlander is Can Am's so called "Utility work horse" if some one wants light weight get the Renegade or DS instead.

A heavy Utility with nice suspension will handle better than a lighter one with mediocre suspension,thats what should be improved on.

 

Weight can be a liability or an asset depending on the situation. Mud riding is one of the situations where it can be both. For example, I know my Outlander will float (but not run) in water. If it will float in water, it will probably float in mud too. If it floats in mud, it won't dig down and get traction to get me out of the mud hole like a Polaris would.

On the other hand, if the Polaris gets stuck, it's REALLY going to get stuck due to it's weight. More than likely it will be harder to get out of the mud than a machine that will float.

Most utility machines are considered Sport/Utility these days. I really don't think that a machine that has 8+" of suspension (like the Outlander and Sportsman) could be considered much in the way of only a utility machine anymore. They put that much suspension on for a reason. That's where the "sport" in the sport / utility comes into play. Granted they can still be used for work (so can my Farmall), but you can also go out and have fun on them too. It's a little hard to go out and have fun on a machine that weighs as much as a tank, but lacks the turret.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MC Ballpeen

Weight can be a liability or an asset depending on the situation. Mud riding is one of the situations where it can be both. For example, I know my Outlander will float (but not run) in water. If it will float in water, it will probably float in mud too. If it floats in mud, it won't dig down and get traction to get me out of the mud hole like a Polaris would.



On the other hand, if the Polaris gets stuck, it's REALLY going to get stuck due to it's weight. More than likely it will be harder to get out of the mud than a machine that will float.



Most utility machines are considered Sport/Utility these days. I really don't think that a machine that has 8+" of suspension (like the Outlander and Sportsman) could be considered much in the way of only a utility machine anymore. They put that much suspension on for a reason. That's where the "sport" in the sport / utility comes into play. Granted they can still be used for work (so can my Farmall), but you can also go out and have fun on them too. It's a little hard to go out and have fun on a machine that weighs as much as a tank, but lacks the turret.</end quote></div>



Hmm, good point. We are past the days of only having sport quads, and only having utility quads. Sport/Utility is the key phrase now. I think it is great that there is such a variety, so ppl can have their Abram's tank, or other ppl can have something lighter and sportier. There are positives and negatives to both.

I think enough has been said about the Can-am frame and protection. If you don't feel it is adequate enough, or don't want to buy it because you don't want to buy skids for it, thats fine, there are plenty of other choices equally as good. Anyone who does buy one and put skids on it shouldn't have any issues beyond what any quad would normally have anyways. My buddy has an Outlander 650 Max XT, bought it last year, ran a couple rallies with mud/rocks/rough terrain with no skids, then added some heavy duty alum skids. He has had zero frame problems that I know of, before and after the skids.

 

Just a couple observations My brother is a flex cop, they do bicycle, and atv patrol, ya, I know. Anyway they ride the big outlanders as well as a number of older Polari. He says the Outlanders ride slightly better than the Polaris bikes and a are faster out of the hole but peter out on the top end some. The most important strike against the Outlander is that when the fan kicks on the hot radiator air is exhausted directly over your right ankle. He says it deosn't sound like a bid deal but ride one for a few hours, partticularly in the summer when the fan is running constantly and it gets old really fast. The other thing that would stear me toward the Polaris is that there frames are uber durable, while I have heard a lot of anecdotal evidence from the locals in Evarts and Harlan Ky, that the Can-Am frames arent all that, evidently lots of cracked and broken frame members. Not bashing, or flaming just relaying what I have heard.
MDH

 

I recall hearing about the hot air issue with Outlanders - in fact, I also recall some reports of plastic melting. I also recall hearing that this was on the first run models and is no longer an issue.

From first hand exerience, I've never experienced any overheating right ankle issues on my '07 Outlander 800. I was riding in Wisconsin in May of this year. Fairly warm temps - especially in the afternoon. Rode between 140 and 150 miles every day. With that kind of milage, if it was going to make my feet hot it would have done it - and it didn't.

You can cruise these forums and read something bad about every model of quad out there - there's always going to be some lemons or misuse that will make for some "it's a POS" type complaints. The truth of the matter is that all the major brands are turning out some really high quality machines these days. At the same time, it's a given that most stockers have sub-par tires and shocks that could stand to be upgraded, especially for more extream use. In the mid-90's, Polaris quality basically sucked, but now they are turning out a top of the line quality machine. Can-Am started out it's ATV line with the heavy and bulky Quest type bikes (the current John Deere's) plus their horrible looking "Lego" designs of the first 400's. Now Can-Am has the sports car of utilities. Point is that you can always find something about an ATV that is better than the competition - no matter what the model. I'm just glad that we now have so many great choices to choose from. Anyone remember the 90's? The decade of "bold new graphics".

Jaybee

 

Yep, I remember the '90s and QBall is right on the heat issue. If you're wearing shorts and tennis shoes, your leg will get plenty hot. However, when I ride it is in full gear with boots (Alpinestar Tech 3s) and over the boot pants, so the heat really isn't an issue for me.

Like I posted in another topic, the frame issue is really a non issue. If you're planning to ride anywhere else but smooth dirt roads get a set of skid plates for it. You just spent close to $10,000 on a machine, so don't be cheap! Spend another $3-400 on a set of skid plates for it.

 

I have an 07 Outty 500 Max. We chose it because of rider and passenger comfort. My wife tried all three, liked the Canam. Give them all a try and go from there.

 

I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but Arctic Cat makes a couple of sweet two up machines. At least one comes with a box and everything ready for touring.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MooseHenden

Polaris engines are made by Subaru if I remember right. I'm pretty sure of the 500 anyhow. The Polaris does have a great skidplate and has the very best under rack storage of any quad out there. That was a big issue in my decision to by the Polaris over the Can Am 2 seater. I also did not like the spar frame. It looked a lot weaker to me, personally.</end quote></div>


The single cylinder engines were assembled by Fuji Motor Co., which owns Suburu. The 600/700/and 800 Twin cylinder "Liberty" engines are made in USA, they say so on the engine (at least mine does, along with the tranny and frame.)

They all are great machines, but I'm going to be a little biased and recommend the Polaris.

 

Who makes the new 850 and 550 engines?