I am thinking of buying a quad for hunting. I am an old guy and will mostly be on logging roads. Local dealer is having a sale on them I am looking at the Outlander 400. It's almost $1500 cheaper than a similar Honda quad.Anyone with experience with these.
Can Am Quads,Good? Bad?
- Thread starter big bear
- Start date
- Location
- ontario windsor
been around them all my life the guys i go moose hunting with polaris sportsman 500 these things are worth the money and the ride is comfortable plenty of pulling power as my cousin uses his on his farm to pull hay wagons loaded thats just me if i was to get one it be 500 sportsman
I test drove an Outlander 800 and a 650.
MUCHO piss & Vinegar in the 800. The 650 was on par with my Grizzly 660.
I don't know about their reliability as I don't own one, but I can say I haven't heard much on the good OR bad.
The only thing I didn't like about the Can Am was the "Visco Lok". Autosensing diff lock. It maybe good for most, but I personally like doing it manually...as most times when I need it, I'm in a somewhat compriomising position...I can't be "assuming" it's going to lock.
MUCHO piss & Vinegar in the 800. The 650 was on par with my Grizzly 660.
I don't know about their reliability as I don't own one, but I can say I haven't heard much on the good OR bad.
The only thing I didn't like about the Can Am was the "Visco Lok". Autosensing diff lock. It maybe good for most, but I personally like doing it manually...as most times when I need it, I'm in a somewhat compriomising position...I can't be "assuming" it's going to lock.
Imho
IMHO, you get what you pay for kind-of.
If you buy a honda it will work, very well for a long time.
it doesn't have the fanciest newest features, or the most possible power packed into the frame. It is made to run well, reliably for a LOOONG time.
Can-am made in mexico- Well the mexicans are know for their super high quality
Yamaha- they seem to be fairly reliable- but the belt issue when pulling a load or bogging bad mud is still there.
Polaris- they do indeed ride nice and have LOTS of power. In our moose camp we have three guys with polaris, 1 yamaha, 2 honda's. And with no exageration every year the honda's TOW baqck a couple of the polaris's due to one reason or another - Usually burned out shredded belts- but sometimes electrical problems. The polaris guys have a kit with new belts and all the tools required to change them that they bring with them. Us honda guys bring gas
- because we know we will be able to use our machines.
Kowasaki/suzuki- I would run very far from any deal that ended with me owning one of these.
IMHO, you get what you pay for kind-of.
If you buy a honda it will work, very well for a long time.
it doesn't have the fanciest newest features, or the most possible power packed into the frame. It is made to run well, reliably for a LOOONG time.
Can-am made in mexico- Well the mexicans are know for their super high quality
Yamaha- they seem to be fairly reliable- but the belt issue when pulling a load or bogging bad mud is still there.
Polaris- they do indeed ride nice and have LOTS of power. In our moose camp we have three guys with polaris, 1 yamaha, 2 honda's. And with no exageration every year the honda's TOW baqck a couple of the polaris's due to one reason or another - Usually burned out shredded belts- but sometimes electrical problems. The polaris guys have a kit with new belts and all the tools required to change them that they bring with them. Us honda guys bring gas
- because we know we will be able to use our machines.Kowasaki/suzuki- I would run very far from any deal that ended with me owning one of these.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Buddy of mine runs an engine rebuilding and fabricating shop. He was telling me the other day that Honda is no longer the #1 to go to and to stay away from the 500 models,they are having lots of engine issues! He said if you are going Honda go 550+. He said right now the Can-am is the 1 to have, I
just cant get on board with that though I know his advice is sound, he is going by relaiability on engine and drivetrain issues but I can't get past that engine name"ROTAX'. Any of the ones we owned and all the ones I used when I worked for the MNR were absolute JUNK!!! I would go with Honda or Polaris as well from all the experience I have seen with my buddies running them!
just cant get on board with that though I know his advice is sound, he is going by relaiability on engine and drivetrain issues but I can't get past that engine name"ROTAX'. Any of the ones we owned and all the ones I used when I worked for the MNR were absolute JUNK!!! I would go with Honda or Polaris as well from all the experience I have seen with my buddies running them!
Vote here for Yamaha.... as an "older guy" I really appreciate the independent rear suspension!
Mine is an older 660, but the 450 Kodiak has the IR suspension, and the 700 as well, if you are thinking bigger with power steering.
Never had a moment's problem with the Yamaha, and I know of at least 8 other owners around our lake who would say the same.
(That's not me, by the way.... it's my grizzled veteran partner, sitting on a Yamaha Grizzly, beside my 870 Grizzly shotgun, in case of grizzlies).
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Mine is an older 660, but the 450 Kodiak has the IR suspension, and the 700 as well, if you are thinking bigger with power steering.
Never had a moment's problem with the Yamaha, and I know of at least 8 other owners around our lake who would say the same.
(That's not me, by the way.... it's my grizzled veteran partner, sitting on a Yamaha Grizzly, beside my 870 Grizzly shotgun, in case of grizzlies).
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Middle age guy here, with and old back.
I think Polaris is an awesome hunting quad and I plan to buy an X2 this spring mainly because it tows much better than my Grizzly.
But, I have been test driving Polaris and they are not even close to being as comfortable to ride as my 03 Grizzly, and my Grizzly has it's suspension on it's tightest setting.
I think Polaris is an awesome hunting quad and I plan to buy an X2 this spring mainly because it tows much better than my Grizzly.
But, I have been test driving Polaris and they are not even close to being as comfortable to ride as my 03 Grizzly, and my Grizzly has it's suspension on it's tightest setting.
I went on the CANAM demo day (for GVRD) last summer, and rode everything they had up to the 800 *WOW*
I cant speek to durability, but I was very impressed by the power, comfort and handeling of everything they had out there.
If your in the GVRD i would recommend greater vancouver power sports, speek to andrew.
I cant speek to durability, but I was very impressed by the power, comfort and handeling of everything they had out there.
If your in the GVRD i would recommend greater vancouver power sports, speek to andrew.
Vote here for Yamaha.... as an "older guy" I really appreciate the independent rear suspension!
Mine is an older 660, but the 450 Kodiak has the IR suspension, and the 700 as well, if you are thinking bigger with power steering.
Never had a moment's problem with the Yamaha, and I know of at least 8 other owners around our lake who would say the same.
(That's not me, by the way.... it's my grizzled veteran partner, sitting on a Yamaha Grizzly, beside my 870 Grizzly shotgun, in case of grizzlies).
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Great Gear!!
I'm a grizzly driver too. I'm utterly impressed with my 05. I HAVE replaced parts, yes. (Berrings, brakes, rear axel clips etc etc) And being Yamaha, they don't give the parts away! However, the EXTREME tests I've done to this machine, it speaks for itself. It hasn't let me down...it has the power to pull large herbivores through bush and swamp...it plows snow laughing...etc etc.
It's a stellar machine, and I'd recommend a Yammi in a heartbeat!!
I work in the powersports industry and personally would have no issue buy a Can-Am. My father-in-law has an Outlander 400 and it has been bulletproof for him. The biggest thing to consider IMO is dealer support. For him, there are several Can-Am dealers within about 45 minutes of his home. That means that if something breaks, he's got several outlets of support. The ATV's nowadays are all fine machines, it's more in how you take care of them. I personally find that the Polaris models of equal displacement tend to fit my larger frame better so I'd probably go that route but his Outlander is a great machine.
And here's another IMO, 700cc+ are just machismo machines...a 400-450 with a good driver will go 99% of the places a 700+ will...
And here's another IMO, 700cc+ are just machismo machines...a 400-450 with a good driver will go 99% of the places a 700+ will...
- Location
- Canuckistan
Depends what your doing... If you want a reliable machine (aka grand-dad driven), I would go Yammi instead of Honda....
If you plan on riding for fun, get a Kawi (my choice) or a Can-Am or a Ditch Pickle.
I don't find any brand of machine breaks down more than another, and I ride with lots of guys. They break down depending on how you use them. If you went at a Honda like I go my Kawi, it would be running at 90% most of the time and blow up sooner than my 750 which winds up running 50% or so..... Also, with a Honda, you ride back of the pack....
I also really recommend looking at lockers. They usually make the difference in hard use. AWD can't keep up with a locker putting it down.... And activation of locker... if you have to hit 2 switches or stop first... its too late. Kawi it's a lever. Best system I know of, you can feed 50 to 100% lock at any time, by pulling a lever. Yamis and Suzukis (and ditch pickle I think) you can hit the switch at low speeds anytime, so that's OK... Polaris and CanAm AWD... Ungh.
If you plan on riding for fun, get a Kawi (my choice) or a Can-Am or a Ditch Pickle.
I don't find any brand of machine breaks down more than another, and I ride with lots of guys. They break down depending on how you use them. If you went at a Honda like I go my Kawi, it would be running at 90% most of the time and blow up sooner than my 750 which winds up running 50% or so..... Also, with a Honda, you ride back of the pack....
I also really recommend looking at lockers. They usually make the difference in hard use. AWD can't keep up with a locker putting it down.... And activation of locker... if you have to hit 2 switches or stop first... its too late. Kawi it's a lever. Best system I know of, you can feed 50 to 100% lock at any time, by pulling a lever. Yamis and Suzukis (and ditch pickle I think) you can hit the switch at low speeds anytime, so that's OK... Polaris and CanAm AWD... Ungh.
I have been a polaris fan for sum time now. The awd is true 4 wheel. Driven in the mud hard to get stuck. However they are notoriuos for overheating if the rad fins are not kept clean of mud. Easy to do for day or 2 trips but harder for long hunt trips. Ride with them all have towed and been towed.The best is the one that feels right. They all break. They all break more when abused.This in mind check your area for dealers and aftermarket for the parts supply. Nothing worse than waiting weeks. Some manufacturers are pricy on parts.Some have motor and gear box combined= costly repairs etc. etc.
I have a good friend who works for an outfitter and has ridden all the quads out there at one time or another and he says for ride go to polaris, for toughness and pull go to Canam. I run a polaris and a yamaha and I always take the yamaha stritley for the power steering.
I also like the full differental lock that the yamaha has. Honestly I think any of the major brands are good but more important is your dealer and his service.
I also like the full differental lock that the yamaha has. Honestly I think any of the major brands are good but more important is your dealer and his service.
I had a 2005 Honda Rubicon 500 it was a good tough bike absolutely zero problems, just not enough power for me. Honda didn't build one big enough for me so I went and explored my options. Polaris is a "OK" bike but I ride with quite a few in our group and they always seem to have problems. Yamaha seems to work pretty well and have a pretty good track record for reliability. I researched my purchase for about 4 months before purchasing my Brute Force 750 V-twin. Manual diff locker, sealed rear brakes(wet brake system), v-twin, efi were main reasons for my decision. I did test drive Can-ams and could of bought one at cost ( my buddy owns dealership) but the whole frame braking thing bothered me along with the not so easy access to the plugs(v-twins) in event you go for a swim. Bottom line when I was going for the final purchase it was between the Brute Force 750 or the Grizzly 700. Both were efi but the Kawi v-twin has just awesome torque and pull-you will just have to drive one to know what I'm talking about. Here's a picture of my Brute.
Bottom line when I was going for the final purchase it was between the Brute Force 750 or the Grizzly 700. Both were efi but the Kawi v-twin has just awesome torque and pull-you will just have to drive one to know what I'm talking about. Here's a picture of my Brute.
Can Am is way ahead in drive train and suspension.
Speaking in terms of the 800 Outlander:
-The engine braking is excellent and makes very steep descents quite easy.
-The suspension soaks up really bad terrain very nicely and the handling is very good once you get used to the initial lean-in associated with the independent suspension.
-It is king in useable power as well. The other 'big boys' can't keep up. Not even close.
-Low range gives lots of versatility.
-The selectable 4 wheel drive is nice. You can disengage it or engage it as the situation demands
-The visco-lock which locks up the front axle is great in mud as it engages seamlessly and you don't lose momentum or concentration fiddling with a switch. In crawling situations a selectable front lock would be nicer but the visco works fine once you learn not to back out of the throttle but keep 'er spinning and let it engage. Once it engages it is a truly locked front axel. It would be nice to have the visco lock with a manual selection option as well. Many people don't understand how it works and fail to take advantage of it. It's a case of the machine being smarter than the driver. The mention of 'CanAm AWD ugh!' above is uninformed, it's selectable and with locked rear axle and lockable front axle, simple as that.
I think Honda still doesn't offer a locking front axle. This is ridiculous if still the case.
-The fuel injection is a pleasure. Starts instantly, every time, every temperature.
I run mine very hard and have had very few problems with it. Mine is an 06 so it wasn't made in Mex. My buddy has a new 08 Renegade it has been great so far. My wife's '08 800 Outlander has been perfect so far. I don't think the Mexico issue is an issue at all.
It's a versatile machine that can work or play, if you like to go fast nobody on a utility quad can catch you.
For general farting around, all of the main brands are fairly good these days (excluding the China crap), but the ride quality and handling varies a lot from model to model. I can tell you that the Can Am 400 is a good machine but the 800 is a joy to run.
Can Am (note that all wheels are spinning):
Honda (same hole):
(they're great for pulling out other Hondas....)
I must admit though, lately I prefer this:
I must be getting old....
.
Speaking in terms of the 800 Outlander:
-The engine braking is excellent and makes very steep descents quite easy.
-The suspension soaks up really bad terrain very nicely and the handling is very good once you get used to the initial lean-in associated with the independent suspension.
-It is king in useable power as well. The other 'big boys' can't keep up. Not even close.
-Low range gives lots of versatility.
-The selectable 4 wheel drive is nice. You can disengage it or engage it as the situation demands
-The visco-lock which locks up the front axle is great in mud as it engages seamlessly and you don't lose momentum or concentration fiddling with a switch. In crawling situations a selectable front lock would be nicer but the visco works fine once you learn not to back out of the throttle but keep 'er spinning and let it engage. Once it engages it is a truly locked front axel. It would be nice to have the visco lock with a manual selection option as well. Many people don't understand how it works and fail to take advantage of it. It's a case of the machine being smarter than the driver. The mention of 'CanAm AWD ugh!' above is uninformed, it's selectable and with locked rear axle and lockable front axle, simple as that.
I think Honda still doesn't offer a locking front axle. This is ridiculous if still the case.
-The fuel injection is a pleasure. Starts instantly, every time, every temperature.
I run mine very hard and have had very few problems with it. Mine is an 06 so it wasn't made in Mex. My buddy has a new 08 Renegade it has been great so far. My wife's '08 800 Outlander has been perfect so far. I don't think the Mexico issue is an issue at all.
It's a versatile machine that can work or play, if you like to go fast nobody on a utility quad can catch you.
For general farting around, all of the main brands are fairly good these days (excluding the China crap), but the ride quality and handling varies a lot from model to model. I can tell you that the Can Am 400 is a good machine but the 800 is a joy to run.
Can Am (note that all wheels are spinning):
Honda (same hole):
(they're great for pulling out other Hondas....)
I must admit though, lately I prefer this:
I must be getting old....
.
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The frames on the CanAm's are vulnerable to physical damage. Bombardier really dropped the ball on this by not including skid plates as standard. The frames do not break due to inherent weakness. They break after being holed and dented by impacts with rocks. They are aluminum and well designed and light but they can't take impact at all. If they don't get damaged they are very strong.I did test drive Can-ams and could of bought one at cost ( my buddy owns dealership) but the whole frame braking thing bothered me along with the not so easy access to the plugs(v-twins) in event you go for a swim.
The addition of the 'optional' skid plate or the excellent aftermarket set by Ricochet make the bike nearly undamagable by bottom impacts.
Regarding the plugs: I didn't find mine hard to get at?
If the Can am 650 was on par with the grizzly 660 there was something wrong with it, the 650 i had actually had more top end speed than my friends Can am 800 and would leave my friends brute force 750 (with mods clutch kit,chip,and performance exhaust in the dust) Also hard to beat the 42 month warranty on the Can am.
