polaris 850 xp vs can am 1000

Donovan514 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 02:59 PM

Hello,

I am going to be making a purchase soon and I was wondering if I could get you all to give me some pro's and con's on both machines.

Thanks in advance.

shui5612 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 04:27 PM

welcome!

not going to really going to go into pros/cons until i tell you this...

now both machines are VERY different... its like apples or oranges...
essentially both are the same, they are QUADS..
but they are distinctively different in to what clients they are oriented...
polaris is like a pickup, any pickup, say a ford F-350...
its tough, durable, has very good 4x4... good clearance and such...
BUT you wont be buying a f-350 and expect the same MPG as a civic right? nor the same weight, nor the same acceleration/handling as a ferrari...

on the other end of the ring, we have the can am... id compare it to a nissan GTR... it looks good to some. its sporty, light, has an amazing handling fast accel.. now.. the can am is a gtr on steroids as it has about 12" of clearance...
BUT... this is where the "cons" begin, now you wouldnt expect much of a MPG from a gtr.. but.. the gtr is awd... but its not "4x4".
by this i mean, the polaris has a true 4x4 system that works... its more "technical", you can go in a mud hole, climb a hill. do anything really..
on the other hand, the can am.. well.. it will keep your wheels from excessive spinning, prevent you from a spin-out, keep you on the road, get you up that snowy hill... but throw it in a mudhole... well most likely by the time it locks in, you will be stuck.

so... in that text i pretty much summed up the popo vs cannedham.
but here it is again but in brief point forims:
Polaris:
pros -very good technical 4x4 system
- heavy
-made for work/and comfort.

cons: - heavy...
-"mpg"

now notice on both as a con and pro i put in "heavy"
by this i mean, that for some, like me, i enjoy the heavier machine. same as some mudders, people who tow trailers around.. and such.

can am..:
pros: - sport oriented
-light
-handling

cons:- 4x4 system
-sport oriented.

as again, sport oriented is in both the categories... because its a VERY very discussed characteristic.
riding around a beaten trail for hours, the person on the can am will be exhausted/numb while the polaris owner will be feeling fine..
but, some find that Cadillac ride boring. and would like to go 80MPH and make a drift/sharp turn.(i wont recommend doing that with any quad... most likely you will flip and might end up being picked up piece by piece)
but want to go in that huge mudhole? you wont pass through it with a can am...

so... what type of riding you do, what you are looking for in a machine depends on the quad you will get. maybe one looks better than the other for you...

both machines are reliable, although id avoid the 1000 as its a new machine... still probably has some bugs in it..

hope i helped.

Donovan514 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 04:39 PM

Thanks, Shui!

I have heard that the Polaris build quality is less than that of the Can-Am. Is that true? I am a big guy and I need a very durable, well built machine.

shui5612 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 04:54 PM

NOPE...
honestly... considering how many polarises get sold (thousands) and only SOME people have problems...
polaris isnt a bugatti veyron that gets assembled by hand..
every production line thing ever built will hae defects here and there...

honestly, owning 2 polarises myself, and MANY friends with polarises and MUCH MORE with can ams, the people with polaris always seem more happy to me with their machines.
and people with can ams seem to be happy 2-3 years until they run into problems...
and really, they DO run into problems, more often than they would like, and more often than any one with a polaris...
i meant lemons exist in any brand.. but knowing Bombardier (brp) whom are local to me, i wouldnt buy from them... the boats and skis i have are build cheaply... the design is innovative, good pricing and such... but looking back, i sometimes regret the purchases...

either way, both companies really are dependable and reliable.
but knowing can am.. you will run into problems.. maybe nothing major but... nothing pleasant either.
and as the 1000 is a new machine.. im sure it has some bugs that will be worked out in the 2nd year production..

as again. depends on what you do with the atv... it will directly depend on your purchase...

if you want help, then tell us, what you are going to do with it (ex; mostly trail ride, plow, work , etc.)

another thing i might want to add, as you are a big guy,(depending on the weight)
you will prefer one suspension over the other.. maybe the can ams suspension is too stiff for me but good for you..
honestly.. look for upcoming atv shows/reviews as well as events. maybe get a friend to give you a small tour of his machine.
most preferably, maybe even find a place that rents atvs, rent one for the weekend, and ride them... who knows, maybe you will end up inlove with a brand?

Donovan514 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 05:08 PM

Mostly trail riding...

Good advise, bro.

shui5612 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 05:18 PM

and when trail riding will you be going into mud holes ? climbing rocks? crossing creeks?
if so that favors the 850 polaris.
if not, then the 1000 would be better as its lighter/more agile/sportier..

honestly, when getting my atv i was saying "it will be only for work"
which it was for 2 years as i was working on my property... now i trail ride...

who knows whats around the corner for you?
new house with a big driveway? that you will want to plow with your atv and not shovel snow?
all that favors the polaris...

honestly, to me its a way more versatile atv than the can ams...

800touring · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 05:23 PM

you want me to name out the list of things that have broke down on my brand new 850 that has been really well toke care of and dues not even have 1600 miles. Because its a long list for under 1600 miles. rite now i am at the point that i want to switch to Suzuki because i no they are dependable well built bikes.

sgtpatiolantern · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donovan514

Thanks, Shui!

I have heard that the Polaris build quality is less than that of the Can-Am. Is that true? I am a big guy and I need a very durable, well built machine.

I don't know how big you are, but I'm over 400lbs and the Polaris 850XP is one of the few machines that doesn't bottom out with my fat ass on it. And she won't run out of breath on steep hills. EFI eliminates the need for rejetting carbs for mountain use.

And the ride.....oh man, this is the Cadillac of the Forest!

shui5612 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 800touring

you want me to name out the list of things that have broke down on my brand new 850 that has been really well toke care of and dues not even have 1600 miles. Because its a long list for under 1600 miles. rite now i am at the point that i want to switch to Suzuki because i no they are dependable well built bikes.

sorry to hear this, but you can get this WITH AND ANY BRAND. it was a lemon. if any NEW machine gave me headache @ less than 500-1000miles other than changing the oil and the first service.
i will drop the thing right back to the dealer. And i WILL demand a new one.
good luck with the suzuki. but its like comparing a cadillac to a honda civic...
like i say "fully equiped" VS bone stock...
its not even close to the same machine.
the ride, engine , features dont EVEN COMPARE...
NO BRAND in the world offers 100% security that it WONT break...

800touring · #10 (**permalink**) 01-06-2012, 06:40 PM

I no i have had way better luck with my suzuki's I kicked there ass and the kept going I babied my 850 because It was m,y dream bike i finally got the bike that had every thing i wanted but she has had the worst reliability even my other 850 and 800 (actually my dads) have had a problem with way more miles