I have also been frustrated with all the plastic you have to remove for simple maintenance. Changing oil should be 15 to 30 minutes but on outlander max took me about 2 hours and potential is there of damaging plastic getting it off. My opinion is that is ridiculous.
ADD another TWO hours to change the fluids in the FRONT & REAR DIFF and gearbox:th_smiliepullhair:
HARD SHIFTING: consistently for 2 1/2 years since new. Left at dealership 3 different times for up to a whole week but no improvement:th_smiliepissed:
To also QUOTE ROCK:
When I got my Max, riding the same trails, I nearly had it on its side a few times with the stock rubber and rims. FOR SURE!
SUSPENSION: I find the stock Outlander suspension TOO SOFT, even on the highest setting. On sidehills, one of the rear tires is often lifting off the ground and the "fronts" aren't stiff enough to stop them from "rolling under" and giving you the feeling that its GOING TO ROLL
With that and the "impossible" MAINTENANCE problem(s) listed above, I can definitely say:
I wouldn't buy another or suggest any of my friends or Clubmembers do so either. Dunno what I would buy, but NOT a CANAM.
Many members here have found various FIXES for most of these problems but all involve removing and throwing away STOCK PARTS and paying for more suitable AFTERMARKET replacements.
For the $$$ pricetag of CAN AM, you/we shouldn't have to be BETA TESTERS and have to
throw a bunch more money at them to make them perform
STOCK as would be expected for a new top level machine.
DEALER service often sucks or is non existent and there's no way I know of to get a GOOD ONE for sure vs a Crappy dealer/service outfit.
Good luck.