Thinking about buying a sxs for hunting. Can Am Max Defender or Polaris Xpedition

[Heath Hansen]

I was in this same debate last year. Went with the Xpedition and ended up selling it shortly after. It was loud as hell and I didn’t like the angle I was at when riding in it. Changed to the defender and I’m much happier.

 

[WRO]

We have several rangers in our rental fleet, they are not very reliable, engines usually go 5-8k miles and the front ends have issues.

From my experiences second hand and first hand, the only way I’d own a Polaris product is if it was free.

From a reliability standpoint in my experience, nothing beats a Honda pioneer and if it wasn’t a Honda it’d be a Can Am.

 

[snowymtnwolf]

One more thing to add to above post and what I recommend to friends debating buying vehicles.

Go do a rental somewhere before a hard financial - long term decision - such as this and the rental will only be a few hundred bucks.

That way you will be almost certain and can run the SxS through some real life riding.


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[eshunt]

Have a 2022 Can Am Defender Max HD10. For a hunting rig it is great. I did not purchase it to rip around and go fast. It can handle most dirt roads at 20-35mph, where as my truck might get 10-15mph bumping down the roads. And putting along with 4x4 and diff lock engaged it will climb really well. It gets me to the trailheads that I want to get to in comfort. Side hill/off camber is where it has its biggest limitations in my opinion. It can be a little bit "tippy" and you need to drive it accordingly. But any off road driver that is worth their salt can easily keep this thing rubber side down and get to just about any place you want to.

I shied away from Polaris because I have way too many friends that have had major issues with theirs, from drive trains, belts, suspension, engines, etc. I believe there is a reason you see so many Polaris machines on the used market, vs Can Am machines.

When I purchased mine, Honda had not come out with their true 6-seater. If I was to do it again, I would purchase the Honda just becase I am a big fan of the Honda product and their engines/transmissions. I am not a big fan of belt driven machines for off roading. I have owned several Ski-Doo snow machines and prefer them over any other snow machines. For a hunting rig, I would have prefered the transmission in a Honda but with proper maintenace and not abusing the machine, the Can Am is an awesome rig .

The stock suspension on the Defender I have is way better than the Polaris Rangers my friends have. I am not familiar with the Xpedition so I cannot speak to it at all.

Bottom line - I am super happy with my Defender. My dad even picked up a used one with a full enclosed cab because he liked mine so much and he is a die-hard Honda guy that already has a Pioneer.

 

[Gman12]

Before making the decision, I would highly recommend checking out the Honda Pioneer. There is a reason that multiple people have already said the same.

 

[KurtR]

About the only rangers i see breaking out here are the cowboys and if you have been around much they break pretty much everything. One guy i fish with replaced his tranny at 18k miles and other than that just wear parts. We have no dealers of anything closer than 100 miles that are worth looking at so no matter witch brand im sol if some thing breaks i have to fix it my self.

Seen a couple cfmoto and they look nice

 

[TandKHunting]

I am a big fan of my 22' Honda Pioneer. Fully enclosed with heat. I can fit a whitetail buck. spare tire, pack, and jack in the back bed. The back bed can also turn into two more seats for recreational use during the summer.

I like that it is not belt driven. I cruise from my house to hunting spots in the hills. No need to trailer it and worry about burning up belts.

I'm surprised more folks don't mention or consider the Pioneer. I felt like it checked more boxes than the competitors.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

I am a big fan of my 24' Honda Pioneer. Fully enclosed with heat. I can fit a whitetail buck. spare tire, pack, and jack in the back bed. The back bed can also turn into two more seats for recreational use during the summer.

I like that it is not belt driven. I cruise from my house to hunting spots in the hills. No need to trailer it and worry about burning up belts.

I'm surprised

more folks don't mention or consider the Pioneer. I felt like it checked more boxes than the competitors.

Have the newer Honda Pioneer models made any significant improvements in engine heat displacement? From my experience riding in a couple of them, the heat transfer from the engine was substantial—you could really feel it on the seat and the back of your legs. During the hot summer months, this made the ride almost miserable.

 

[svivian]

I know you have narrowed it down to two options. But I have really enjoyed using the Yamaha Rmax 1000 4 seater. Its also nice to have the bed covered to leave gear in over night if im truck camping.

 

[TandKHunting]

Have the newer Honda Pioneer models made any significant improvements in engine heat displacement? From my experience riding in a couple of them, the heat transfer from the engine was substantial—you could really feel it on the seat and the back of your legs. During the hot summer months, this made the ride almost miserable.

Mine doesn't have any issues with that unless I go through some water. It temporarily heats the seat up from the steam (I would assume), but it goes away fairly fast. I don't notice it being unbearable by any means.

 

[WCB]

I don;t have one but my dad has a CanAM Defender Max Limited. Leather seats, upgraded sound system, AC, Heat, etc. Pretty much nicer than my truck. I've spent extensive time in it hanging stands, ice fishing, and just bumming around, going out to eat by his house etc.

My dad ahs zero complaints and I really don't either. Comfortable easy to keep warm or cool depending on weather. Can hold a normal conversation between the front and back seats. Tons of room inside. Box is plenty big for most stuff. I now we had 4-5 larger hang on stands, sticks, ladders, saws, extra gas can etc in the back no issue and still contained not heaping over the sides of the box. My dad also doesn't baby it and bounces up over logs or uses the front end to push small downed treed or brush out of the way and no issue thus far.

Drove 10+ miles to go ice fishing in ND with it daily, then out onto the lake and did some baja style driving with it across some fields... found nothing uncomfortable with it.

 

[Heath Hansen]

I am a big fan of my 22' Honda Pioneer. Fully enclosed with heat. I can fit a whitetail buck. spare tire, pack, and jack in the back bed. The back bed can also turn into two more seats for recreational use during the summer.

I like that it is not belt driven. I cruise from my house to hunting spots in the hills. No need to trailer it and worry about burning up belts.

I'm surprised more folks don't mention or consider the Pioneer. I felt like it checked more boxes than the competitors.

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I own 4 Honda Pioneer 100-3's and they are great machines. We use them exclusively for business purposes and they are bomb proof, with one of them having 27,000+ miles on it. If I was buying something to beat the crap out of and use for ranch work that's why I'd buy. They aren't nearly as comfortable to ride in as the Can Am though, and the aftermarket accessories leave a lot to be desired. In a perfect world I'd have a Can Am with the Honda Transmission....

 

[MuleyFever]

I shied away from Polaris because I have way too many friends that have had major issues with theirs, from drive trains, belts, suspension, engines, etc. I believe there is a reason you see so many Polaris machines on the used market, vs Can Am machines.

There are probably 2-3 Polaris machines sold for every 1 Can-Am.

Thing is everyone knows someone with X brand that was a turd and everyone knows someone with X brand that never had an issue.

 

[eshunt]

There are probably 2-3 Polaris machines sold for every 1 Can-Am.

Thing is everyone knows someone with X brand that was a turd and everyone knows someone with X brand that never had an issue.

Even if there are 2-3 polaris machines sold for every Can Am, then why are there about 10 polaris - 1 Can Am on the used market wher I am at?? I know a couple folks that have had issues with their Can Am's as well, but they were pretty minor compared to most of the issues my friends have had with Polaris.

I will personally never buy a Polaris. But they are less expensive, have tons of options for customization and everyone is able to make their own choices. I am only relating what I have seen and what works for me.

 

[AZ8]

I have 2 seater. Been happy with my Defender going on 7 years now. I keep up with the general maintenance and it's been a beast with zero breakdowns or issues.

It's not a hot rod, buts it's fun to ride around in. Handles all hunting situations great. And it can haul quite the load in the bed.

People mention the belt drive. We'll, if I break a belt 17 miles from camp, I can pull over, put on a new one and be back riding and I'm out maybe $120. Gear driven UTV, you're walking back to camp.... lol

 

[Miflatlander91]

Kinda in the same boat been really looking at the newer defenders with the cab. Currently have a commander and have 2 other buddies with the same machine we haven’t been easy on any of them and just keep going. Mines a 14 and just had regular maintenance done to it


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[WestMOhunter]

Purely opinion, so my experience below is not intended to make me sound like an expert. I’m not. I’ve just been around a lot of them. With that said:

Polaris: 20+ yrs w/ various Ranger 4x4 and 6x6. The ones that have been used hard break A LOT. Exhaust issues, front CV issues, blown motors, etc. The 13 yr old Ranger XP w/ HVAC we’ve had on the farm… used mostly as a hunting rig… has been good. It’s loud and helpless in snow and extreme terrain though.

CanAm Defender 6x6s and 1 crew cab 4x4. In my opinion a better built machine. Used hard, they break, but less. Heavy, almost underpowered. Not sure how the 4x4 gets around compared to the Ranger. Haven’t tested it.

Honda Pioneer 1000-5 (currently own) Pros - It’s a Honda. Much more compact (than other 2 w/ crew cab), w/ option to haul 2 extra people or have a full bed. It’s a mountain goat (no comparison in terms of getting around in snow and extreme terrain). Runs good, drives good, is good. Cons: No fancy factory options like hard, enclosed cab w/ HVAC, loud, seat heat (although recently approved), shifting is reliable, but clunky compared to other two. “Dusty” doesn’t begin to describe it. Limited driver leg room, back seats are for kids or short rides for adults, cage limits bed use like large slide-in sprayers.

Now for the winner: Recently ran the 1500 Ranger. It’s on a different level than the rest. Comfort, power, shifting, quieter, appears to be built MUCH heavier than the rest. The transmission is new and untested. If you can live through the heart attack after seeing the MSRP, buy it,

 

[WRO]

There are probably 2-3 Polaris machines sold for every 1 Can-Am.

Thing is everyone knows someone with X brand that was a turd and everyone knows someone with X brand that never had an issue.

We have 200 Polaris in our fleet in my region, our service managers hate them because they’re always in for repairs. They spend most of their lives on construction sites, not getting ridden in the woods or mountains.


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[RockAndSage]

We have 200 Polaris in our fleet in my region, our service managers hate them because they’re always in for repairs. They spend most of their lives on construction sites, not getting ridden in the woods or mountains.


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That really does say a lot.

 

[repins05]

I have heard random negative things over the years locally with Polaris as well. Try to not put too much into that. However when I start hearing it from everywhere....it is making me think about it more.