Anyone have first hand experience with can am outlanders versus the Polaris sportsman? Particularly the 500cc range?

Is it really a ford vs Chevy conversation or is one clearly better than the other? Or maybe it's just an ergonomic preference?

I'd say go to a dealer that sells both and demo ride them. Or just go test ride both.
Thats what we did. I test drove Kawasaki, Honda, Kubota, John Deere, Can Am and Polaris. Took a lot of effort. But made me know which to buy.
I tell folks to do the same with boat purchases.

I have a 2003 Polaris 4 wheeler and a 2015 Polaris Ranger. Both still going strong and no major issues.

Thanks for the feedback so far. Can Am seems to dominate the side by side space but I can't figure out why their 4wheelers aren't as popular.

GentrysMillTX10 said:

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Thanks for the feedback so far. Can Am seems to dominate the side by side space but I can't figure out why their 4wheelers aren't as popular.

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I work for an agricultural company that probably has 20 fourwheelers. We buy 3 to 4 new ones every year. We have been exclusively Honda forever. Last year we bought two can am and two Hondas. The only reason for trying can am was their bike was roughly $4,000 cheaper. We only have had the two can am's for a year but so far so good. I think the plan is to get two more can am atvs and two more Honda again this winter. I personally am a firm believer in a barebones Honda Foreman with a manual transmission and ridged back axel. Our last several Honda have been manual foot shifters with the independent suspension all the way around. I like the independent suspension just not sure on the long term maintenance yet. Lastly, I agree with the poster above that Honda's automatic transmission sucks. It is reliable but annoying to operate. I'm not sold on the longevity of the belt drive can ams but they are nicer to drive.

Gentry. I didn't know what those models were you were talking about. Thought those were sxs.
As I said in my post, lots of my marine dealers are also powersports dealers. Between all of them they sell all the brands that have been discussed.
The dominant 4-wheeler they have recommended to me is hands down Yamaha with Honda a distant 2nd.
Thats not my opinion but what my dealers tell me. Use the info as you see fit.

CS78 said:

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If you plan to keep it long term, Honda Foreman.

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My 2004 is still rocking!!

There is one abandoned at our hunting camp for years now. I guess it was too expensive to fix and was just left there over the years. Polaris iirc…. I'll see if it was given to the rancher perhaps.

That ones brand new. We have a 98 or 99 model still running strong, against my best efforts. Our neighbor raced MX and had a track in his backyard. I rode that Rancher like it was a Banshee dozens of hours weekly for years in middle/high school.

Bookmarking this thread for future reference.

On my 4th Polaris in about 20 years. Honestly I have nothing bad to say about them. Currently I have an XP1000 non crew and most recently I added a base model 450 sportsman four wheeler. Although the XP gets used much more. They have been good for me.

Well I guess we shall see

Nice!!!