Defender XMR VS Ranger Highlifter

[rhody605]

So we went and took a look at the Defender Xmr and Ranger Highlifter.

Both are well equipped,

The defender:
Pros has comfier seats
middle seat drops down for cup holders
And looks to have better traction controls.

Cons:
Only Camo Color available right now.
Net doors

The ranger HIGH LIFTER:
has half doors
better bumpers
high arched a-arms.


The ranger is roughly $700 more.
Order time for both would be roughly july if ordered now.

What are you guy's thoughts?

 

[rhody605]

 

[pfi572]

Can’t go wrong with either one of them . IMO
Great machines .
$800 difference is roughly the 1/2 doors .

 

[Cdnfireman]

If feedback from the interweb can be believed, the canam will be more reliable. I’m biased because I have the defender XMR. I looked at both before I bought and found the build quality, fit and finish better on the canam. Lots of accessories for both, all of them grossly overpriced of course.

 

[SHREK1]

Yes both will serve you well, i would but the one you feel most comfortable in.

 

[rhody605]

Yes both will serve you well, i would but the one you feel most comfortable in.

I thought so too. Which one is more comfortable. Which one would be best for longer rides too.

 

[banditelectric]

Yes both will serve you well, i would but the one you feel most comfortable in.

So we went and took a look at the Defender Xmr and Ranger Highlifter.

Both are well equipped,

The defender:
Pros has comfier seats
middle seat drops down for cup holders
And looks to have better traction controls.

Cons:
Only Camo Color available right now.
Net doors

The ranger HIGH LIFTER:
has half doors
better bumpers
high arched a-arms.


The ranger is roughly $700 more.
Order time for both would be roughly july if ordered now.

What are you guy's thoughts?

I've personally had alot of experience with both and believe me when i say the Defender is hands down the better machine. My dad and i both have them each one of them has over 5000 KM on them. His is a 2019 and mine is a 2020. Have taken them some pretty knarly places in Alberta and BC. Only maintenance that really gets done is change the oil and air filter in the spring....grease it every couple rides and thats it! Buddies i ride with have the Highlifters and are constantly replacing front end Bushings and breaking Axles.

Also to be honest mine is the Green and Black one and the old mans is Camo. Wish i would have gone with the Camo as it doesn't scratch and cleans waaayyyy easier! His goes through the same amount of sticks and willows mine does but his being a year older still looks Brand New. Ill be replacing mine in a couple years and will get the Camo hands down over the color again just for that fact. Give the Defender some serious thought....from the riding i do which is alot of mud, hills and rocky terrain the Can Am is a far superior machine!

 

[rhody605]

Ok consensus seems to be the defender.

Has anyone tried the super-atv doors and roof? Or what about a cab heater?

 

[pfi572]

Ok consensus seems to be the defender.

Has anyone tried the super-atv doors and roof? Or what about a cab heater?

I installed BRP heater in mine as wanted all the venting .
It’s a bit of a job but worth it .

 

[crazy_wheeler]

I have a ranger & my biggest con would be that there are no grease nipples on the upper & lower a-arms. Would be nice to push out the water & dirt with fresh grease to help prolong the life of the a-arm bushings.

 

[arff]

I have seen both machines on the trails
Both seem good.
Did you compare the low and high range gear ratio’s. We had a Can Am Maverick xmr we found it hot with the engine between us. But you would not have that concern.
I know my hi lifter rzr is geared slower in low and high range.

Enjoy your purchase whatever you pick.

 

[banditelectric]

Ok consensus seems to be the defender.

Has anyone tried the super-atv doors and roof? Or what about a cab heater?

I have the Super ATV full doors on mine and they are awesome! Easy to put on and easy to adjust. Can literally close the door with one finger. I don't run a heater though i just have a small fan that circulates the air around. On -25 days you can run it with that set up and after everything is warmed up honestly drive it with no gloves.

 

[rhody605]

Looks like I will get the half doors from BRP.. comes out cheaper and they will install for free. Along with rear bumper, rear side protection, box rails. And the under seat storage boxes.
Too bad the BRP doors are plastic instead of metal.
Seems best to get it all now at a discount and free install before we pick it up.

But I think i want the super atv 3 in 1 windshield. I like how the top half is removable.

The long term idea was if we like this machine is to keep for a year or two. Strip off accessories and order new one for spring time. Hopefully they will all fit into the following years.

 

[banditelectric]

Looks like I will get the half doors from BRP.. comes out cheaper and they will install for free. Along with rear bumper, rear side protection, box rails. And the under seat storage boxes.
Too bad the BRP doors are plastic instead of metal.
Seems best to get it all now at a discount and free install before we pick it up.

But I think i want the super atv 3 in 1 windshield. I like how the top half is removable.

The long term idea was if we like this machine is to keep for a year or two. Strip off accessories and order new one for spring time. Hopefully they will all fit into the following years.

Ive got the BRP pushout glass windshield with the Windshield wiper system and i love it!

 

[beerwolf]

I own polaris and can am rigs and in all honesty polaris quality sucks bigtime. I would definitely go for the defender if you want something hassle free. I bought the first year defender and put a cab on, heater etc. Only thing I've ever replaced is tires.

 

[rhody605]

Picking up the defender need week before xmas.
Got them to put on the doors, roof, rear bumper. Also picking up the underseat storage bins, Ordered the rear side protection bars.

Planning the super atv windshield and an inferno cab heater.

Thinking getting 2 year warrantee for best resale value.

 

[TylerG]

Picking up the defender need week before xmas.
Got them to put on the doors, roof, rear bumper. Also picking up the underseat storage bins, Ordered the rear side protection bars.

Planning the super atv windshield and an inferno cab heater.

Thinking getting 2 year warrantee for best resale value.

but...... what about your poor Wildcat?

 

[beerwolf]

Picking up the defender need week before xmas.
Got them to put on the doors, roof, rear bumper. Also picking up the underseat storage bins, Ordered the rear side protection bars.

Planning the super atv windshield and an inferno cab heater.

Thinking getting 2 year warrantee for best resale value.

I put on the superatv flip up windshield on mine, it's alright but sometimes it would sure be nice to have glass with a wiper!
Put the ice crusher heater in and it really doesn't work that well, hopefully you have better luck with the inferno heater.

 

[rhody605]

but...... what about your poor Wildcat?

So far the kids don't want me to sell it... lol So not sure yet. We put a ton of miles with smiles on it last year.

Not sure how much the kids will be allowed to drive this one!!

 

[Eagle]

You can am guys are delusional. I have rode in both alot.
Can am: less leg room for passenger, rougher ride, extremely noisy cab, power window switches always fail, can't run tracks in the winter without intake mods or you will blow belts, less power
Polaris: way more leg room, more power, fit and finish alot better. Got 4000km on a polaris xp1000 and it has never let me down.