CAN AM or Polaris

[rarinas]

Going to be buying a Quad in the near future probably the next week or two. I am torn between the can am 850 max and the polaris xp 850 2up. I'm also going from a RzR to a quad. Reason for me going to a quad is for having the work ability in the mud, being able to get off and throttle it through the sticky situation. secondly i don't want to be tied to a trailer.
The type of riding i do is everything from light trail around the lake with the wife and kids to heavy muskeg with friends, and what ever mess i get into hunting.

I am looking for some pros and cons to each machine form the trail experience side.

Ive noticed from my research that CanAm seems to have a wider aftermarket product selection, performance and accessories. there is a larger rack on the back of the machine as well which is nice. have ridden a 2013 850 2 up a couple of times and it handles great and rides smooth

Polaris the most attractive side to them is there price. But don't know much about there machine except the RZR.

 

[Cdnfireman]

I have a can am outlander max 1K....very nice machine, smooth, powerful and quiet....can am are well engineered well built quality machines, but are more money and a little more maintenance unfriendly....they hold their value as well as most and if treated and maintained reasonably they will last a long time.
Polaris are cheaper, with much poorer build quality and fit and finish..I’ve never owned one but riding buddies that have them either got sick of the breakdowns and went to other products or trade up regularly to avoid problems...they don’t tend to hold their value well and based on what I’ve seen they’re not a machine I’d trust for long term ownership....
bear in mind I’m talking quads only....

 

[Lem Lamb]

Polaris all the way, so buy a Honda

 

[the_real_wild1]

Interesting. I prefer a 1000 sxs in the mud over the quad big time. Post up later after you’ve had the quad for awhile and seen if you prefer it over the sxs. Long shot but I’m guessing your rzr was a 800?

 

[rarinas]

the_real_wild1 ya it was a 2009 800. Fun machine, it was stolen about 2 years ago and Im just replacing it now.

 

[broke'n'nuts]

Interesting. I prefer a 1000 sxs in the mud over the quad big time. Post up later after you’ve had the quad for awhile and seen if you prefer it over the sxs. Long shot but I’m guessing your rzr was a 800?

Nice call lol :d:d

 

[Sawman]

I have a can am outlander max 1K....very nice machine, smooth, powerful and quiet....can am are well engineered well built quality machines, but are more money and a little more maintenance unfriendly....they hold their value as well as most and if treated and maintained reasonably they will last a long time.
Polaris are cheaper, with much poorer build quality and fit and finish..I’ve never owned one but riding buddies that have them either got sick of the breakdowns and went to other products or trade up regularly to avoid problems...they don’t tend to hold their value well and based on what I’ve seen they’re not a machine I’d trust for long term ownership....
bear in mind I’m talking quads only....

Over the last 10 years I've owned both Can-AM quads (650 and a 800)and Polaris Quads (800 and a 1000) and the my experience has been the opposite to above. The Can-AMs are always in the shop and seems we are always replacing something. Both needed a the power steering replaced. Rads needed to be resized and relocated due to a constant overheating problems. The Can-Ams are often in limp mode so back to the dealer they go for some sort of sensor or who knows what. The Polaris's get rode on the same trails and have never been back to the shop since new. Polaris seems to be a better built quad with my experiences as of late. Polaris has a better ride and all four wheels drive when really needed so they seem to go through more. JMO

 

[DaveB]

Polaris makes a quad?

 

[the_real_wild1]

They make a kick azz turbo rzr but that’s all I can verify about the line up. My can am outlander was the best quad I ever owned and never had issues but the newer generation seems to have some issues like the brake lines.

 

[ATV Rancher]

Have owned a boat load of 850 Sportsmans since they came out. I think the quality has improved over time. Biggest problem is fuel pumps. One 850 burned up, I posted that but Phtobucket has hijacked photos since. I have a Sportsman 1000 with 7000 miles on it, with no problems but fuel pumps. We had like a 2013 Can Am 650. Actually the fuel pump went out on it before 4000 miles. The bolts on the rear drive shaft broke and were a booger to get out, so got rid of it. It didn't handle or ride nearly as well as the Polaris. Wouldn't want another one without major design change......and maybe they have. Also a bi.ch to service and clean with all of that plastic.

Edit this post to add that I have a 2015 850 Sportsman that was kept as an extra spare that's getting around ~~14000 Miles on it. Been rode hard and put away wet most of it's life. Lots of sorting cattle and getting cows in the barn calving in bad weather. Nothing but fuel pumps and normal wear items.

 

[the_real_wild1]

I’d like to make one suggestion before you buy since your rzr was a 800. Try to test drive a new 1000 machine from either Cat, Polaris or Cam am and see the changes in suspension, steering and braking plus power. If it is in your budget. You may like one of those better then the quad.

 

[rarinas]

Bought a 2018 can am max 850 a couple of weeks ago finally got it out this week end. the machine is a blast so far. Put 27" mudzilla tires and they handle nice. Put the machine through its paces this weekend with only about 50 km trail riding the rest was work around the lake hauling logs and pulling out an old shed. Only comp complaint is the heat that comes of the belt.

 

[Summitizer]

That’s not belt heat it’s engine heat and it gets unbearable. There are lots of posts on it. We just removed the plastic in the wheel wells to get some air flow in there. And they are a bit more maint but good machines. Just get that heat out of the engine bay.

 

[whoDEANie]

Nice ride! Now do your riding buddies a huge favor and get a rad relocate.

 

[ATV Rancher]

Here's another choice. lol

https://youtu.be/B-21ulCHnPw

 

[ATV Rancher]

Seems like they're kind of discounting the Polaris down here. I just picked up an '18 1000 that had been demonstrated ~50 miles for $10300. Leather inserts on the seat and upgraded tires. I really like the '17 Sportsman 1000 that I've got ~8000 miles on.



2018 Polaris Industries Sportsman® XP 1000 - Matte Copper LE

On Sale $11,406.00 Was $12,299.00

 

[beerwolf]

Come on guys just do some research on the quality of can am vs polaris. I was a polaris guy for years but never again. Do you want to replace bushings,bearings and then maybe spend the big money because the junk turf mode failed and then the reverse chain piled up on your new sxs?

 

[the_real_wild1]

Come on guys just do some research on the quality of can am vs polaris. I was a polaris guy for years but never again. Do you want to replace bushings,bearings and then maybe spend the big money because the junk turf mode failed and then the reverse chain piled up on your new sxs?

I did my research and that why my last machine is a Polaris. Mine doesn’t have a reverse chain or turf mode. Bearings have to be greased on any machine. Ride in Alberta and bushings will fail too. No machine is perfect.