We have a 2010 500 max. Take it trail riding all the time. This weekend we road some very brushy trails, with a lot of log jumping and forest go-arounds. It went over stuff that would have stopped my old Grizzly 350. I love the Visco-lok. No diff lock switches to mess with. It just works, and works well.
OTOH, I once had a Polaris. I will not own another one.

Tom

 

Both bikes, IMO, are equal as far as ride is concerned and comfort. But, the CA has that little extra power to get you out of tough or challlenging situtations.

I have owned both CA and Polaris over the past 6 years and I will not own anything but CA in the future....JMO...

 

I too had a Polaris and thats all it took to cure me I have 2 Can Am's and only thing I will buy is another CA.

 

I have a 2007 Outlander Max 500 with 6700 kms (4163 miles) and I have had no problems to steak of. Right when it was new that stator cover leaking and so they replaced it under warranty and that's about it! you will really be surprised how well that 500 handles and the power coming from that 500 cc Rotax is unreal. There is no stock 500 cc quad out there that will bet you. As a matter of fact even a 700 cc Yamaha has to work real hard to try and keep up with me.

 

The Popo 500's are fairly bullet proof now as they have been around a long time. Not sure on the 550's though. The power difference only matters in a drag race. I bet the polaris has more ground clearance, and for sure it has better storage options. I do not know much about the 500 Can-Am's, but the popo may ride better. IMO, my buddy's 800 X2 rides smoother than my 800 Max. I bet the Can-Am gets better fuel mileage though.

 

but the polaris's are only 1 cylinder and the can am 500 is a twin. doesn't two cylinders mean more fuel compared to 1 cylinder.

 

i dont think you will find a better machine for fuel milage then the can am.

 

i have had a 08 sports man 500. rode sisters 09 550 alot and my 10 500 can am smokes them in every angle. the polaris rides a little better on little bumps