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

[mariodpu17]

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.

I agree. I think Polaris started to go downhill in the past few years. Our 2017 ranger has had minimal issues but can’t say the same for our 2023 ranger so the uptick in negative reviews everywhere may be recent

 

[sf jakey]

I agree. I think Polaris started to go downhill in the past few years. Our 2017 ranger has had minimal issues but can’t say the same for our 2023 ranger so the uptick in negative reviews everywhere may be recent

You need to be uphill to go downhill.

 

[Schism]

I'm in a similar situation as the OP and I appreciate the responses thus far. Anyone have any experience with the Kawasaki Ridge?

 

[Chase0109]

I was in almost the exact same position as the OP this week. Planning to get the SXS mainly for hunting purposes out west. Little bit of work use, a little bit of around the property use. But mainly to get down trails I’m not willing to take my truck on out west.

I just pulled the trigger on a new 2024 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 premium. Regular cab/three seat. Not an enclosed cab. But I am going to put front windshield and rear window on. Has a huge bed for carrying lots of gear or cargo. 1500 pound box capacity, 3500 lb tow capacity. Good ground clearance at 15 inches. I like the new engine/transmission combo they put in this one. And it’s much quieter than most of the others on the market.

Might be worth taking a look at if you’re gonna be hauling construction materials on a job site and still want something that you can get around well while hunting.

FYI, Polaris discontinued the regular cab model in 2025. Now it’s crew cab (4 seat) only in the Ranger 1500. Currently Polaris has some pretty good rebates until April 30.

Chase

 

[repins05]

I will check it out.

Question - Just was playing around with the dump bed on the can am. Seems pretty light duty. Can you update the little hydraulic ram on it with a larger one?

Is the stock polaris bed hydraulic similar?

 

[Chase0109]

No idea on the can-Am hydraulic ram for the dump bed.

The dump bed wasn’t a huge selling feature for me on the XD 1500. But it seemed like it was a pretty sturdy system with a HD ram. It was built as a heavy duty work machine, so I’d be surprised if they skimped on that part.

I was mainly looking at comfort, utility, noise, etc.

Obviously looking at them in person is gonna be best. But this link might help in your research process.

I hope you figure out what you’re looking for, and one of them stands out to you above the others

 

[jorswift]

I've had both. 3 Polaris rangers and now a CanAm Defender Max XMR. The rangers were nice machines, no issues, but all were a bit loud. Easy to fix and small enough for more trails. Now the CanAm we have is a 6 seater. It is huge. Great for the family and hauling stuff, but almost too big for the yard type stuff. I feel the CanAm is a bit nicer than Polaris, as an upgrade, but each to their own.

 

[5811]

I searched but no results for "insurance " in this thread.

If it hasn't been mentioned, get some insurance quotes. You might be shocked.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Honda Pioneer 1000 owner here. Before buying, consulted with two outfitter friends, one in Alberta, one in Arizona. Both highly recommended Honda "after trying them all". Both said reliability was second to none. One said with Polaris, learn how to replace belts and always carry a spare, also that Polaris ball joints, and suspension part, wear out prematurely.
Canadian friend said the Can Am was nice, but it's like a Corvette vs the Honda being a F250, and the Polaris won't pull itself out of mud holes after going through a few.

 

[sf jakey]

Honda Pioneer 1000 owner here. Before buying, consulted with two outfitter friends, one in Alberta, one in Arizona. Both highly recommended Honda "after trying them all". Both said reliability was second to none. One said with Polaris, learn how to replace belts and always carry a spare, also that Polaris ball joints, and suspension part, wear out prematurely.
Canadian friend said the Can Am was nice, but it's like a Corvette vs the Honda being a F250, and the Polaris won't pull itself out of mud holes after going through a few.

No question the Honda 1000 is the best built, most capable. It is also unbearable dusty and hot and noisy. I had one and had to sell because of these faults. Unusable to me. Have a defender now, 90% of the Honda but no heat, no dust, more comfortable.

 

[repins05]

Havent looked at Honda as an option. Good info.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

No question the Honda 1000 is the best built, most capable. It is also unbearable dusty and hot and noisy. I had one and had to sell because of these faults. Unusable to me. Have a defender now, 90% of the Honda but no heat, no dust, more comfortable.

Dust is really not a problem for us. Ours (20 or 21 special edition) came with a "heat shield" under the seat, but the center of the seat still gets warm. Never notice the heat in the winter , and we don't use it as much in the summer for the heat to be an issue.
Outfitter friend in NM runs Tacomas instead of SxS's. I asked why. He said dust, dry, and warm and will last a lot longer than a SxS, plus the price of a new fully enclosed heat/ac toy.

 

[Marshfly]

Every video I see of the Honda's looks like they ride like trash. Half the point of a SXS is that it rides better than a truck on most rough roads. From what I see a normal truck with a decent suspension upgrade would be better than a Pioneer.

I am looking hard at a Canam Maverick Trail for my uses. It's really hard to get a good idea of just how many 50" trails we have here in Montana though. I don't need one for most FS roads.

 

[Customweld]

Every video I see of the Honda's looks like they ride like trash. Half the point of a SXS is that it rides better than a truck on most rough roads. From what I see a normal truck with a decent suspension upgrade would be better than a Pioneer.

I am looking hard at a Canam Maverick Trail for my uses. It's really hard to get a good idea of just how many 50" trails we have here in Montana though. I don't need one for most FS roads.

A lot of guys immediately upgrade shocks on their Honda's. They do ride horrible on the stock shocks. Noisy, hot and dusty pretty much sums up the Honda. They are not a belt driven machine, but the DCT requires full battery charge to operate the shifting servos and clutches. If you aren't running full charge, you are running the possibility of burning the clutches up. If you are going to have aftermarket lights or accessories, you will need to add another battery to support hose systems. You can't run tires larger than 29" without a lift or a-arm replacement. I love my Honda, but if I was going to get another sxs, it would be a Defender.

 

[McCrapper]

I lean more to a Honda 1000-5, Ive read about the heat issues but I can't see how it is dustier than any other open cab SXS.

 

[Customweld]

I lean more to a Honda 1000-5, Ive read about the heat issues but I can't see how it is dustier than any other open cab SXS.

They aren't. Without an enclosed cab, they are all miserably dusty .

 

[Fowl Play]

I would nix polaris personally, several buddies have had major problems with theirs and it turned me off of them. Especially with how Polaris refused to lemon law a buddies on a technicality for a machine that was in the shop 8 times in 2 years. Spent more time in the shop then he got to ride. I moved to Yamaha and will never look back. I have the 850 x4 which is the smallest 4 seater commercially made. It's a beast and has a small bed behind the back seats. The RMAX 4 1000 is more comparable to the ones you are looking at though.

 

[sf jakey]

I lean more to a Honda 1000-5, Ive read about the heat issues but I can't see how it is dustier than any other open cab SXS.

They are. Whatever it is with the Honda, the dust is awful. I know several guys who changed to can am because of this and never complained about the dust again. Honda dust is a real issue, and much worse than at least can am.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Every video I see of the Honda's looks like they ride like trash. Half the point of a SXS is that it rides better than a truck on most rough roads. From what I see a normal truck with a decent suspension upgrade would be better than a Pioneer.

I am looking hard at a Canam Maverick Trail for my uses. It's really hard to get a good idea of just how many 50" trails we have here in Montana though. I don't need one for most FS roads.

Noting wrong with the ride of the Pioneers I've been in. No idea what vids you're watching. Ours came with adjustable fox shocks. In northern Az, my first time in one, going across softball sized rocks, I couldn't believe how well it rode.

 

[KevinInID]

I have the Xpedition. The suspension is great. Comfortable seat and cab, much better than the general. Major downside, like mentioned before is how loud it is. There is service bulletin for a different clutch weight/spring kit to lower the rpm's which quiets the machine down a bit. I've heard but can't confirm the new machines come with this kit. It is a bit top heavy, for me I get a little nervous on off camber terrain. Bed is small, particularly for hunting. My biggest complaint is I get a raw fuel smell on occasion, particularly on hot high altitude days. Polaris has been terrible trying to resolve the issue. If I was starting over, looking for a hunting rig, I'd consider something else.