2011 Outlander 800 X Xc

[3TV]

Hey guys, just traded the '09 Gade 800 on an '11 Outlander 800 X Xc. This sure is one sharp looking skooter, ... for an ATV that looks like a school bus. Just did the first five minute heat cycle on the engine break-in, riding around the block a few times. Can't say much about it yet, other than it feels like an 800. It seems to lean a bit more in turns than the Gade's do, but hard to say just riding on pavement.

I know, I know, this post is worthless without pictures. I've got three digital cameras sitting on the table in front of me, and none of them work. Might have pictures by tomorrow, we're taking the quads up on the mountain for a ride.

3TV

[BATTLEGUN]

Niiice! As always, I'm looking forward to hearing your review. What made you go for a utility this time? Trail work?

[3TV]

I went with the Outlander because of a lot of little things that made it seem like a better choice right now. 1. It was getting challenging to plan family trail rides that were short enough not to have to carry fuel with us. The Renegades did ok, but our sons ride quads / bikes that have shorter fuel ranges. One rides a two stroke dirt bike, and we needed to carry two stroke gas with us so he could complete the whole trail ride if it was more than 50 miles. 2. I need to be able to carry tools for working on trails, just like you assumed. 3. I must be getting old, and thought I would appreciate better mud protection. 4. I liked the digital dash better on the Outlander. 5. I wanted to reward Can-Am for coming out with a bad ass new model this year.

Here are a few pictures I took this morning.







I've only got one hour on the Outlander so far, and it feels good to me.

[Koko]

Hubba hubba...dream garage right there!

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

Very nice machine. I had the chance to get some seat time while on the Commander test ride. I think you'll enjoy the machine for what it is. I gives you a little of the best of both worlds in sport and utility.

[3TV]

I had the chance to take the ATVs up on the mountain today for a 50 mile trail ride. We rode at the Duck Creek ATV Trail System, in southern Utah. The terrain is very rocky, with several sections of trail crossing a lava bed that is brutally rough. My two sons went with me, and my oldest son and I switched machines several times, giving both of us a chance to ride both the Outlander X xc and the Renegade X xc.

The two machines are similar, but have distinct differences. The Outlander's suspension is really stiff at low speed, and can beat you up if you want to cruise around slowly. Pick up the speed though, and it works like its supposed to. I would rate the two quads as such:

Slow speed ride quailty: winner = Renegade
High speed ride quality: winner = tie

Slow speed handling: winner = Outlander
High speed handling: winner = Renegade

Jumping: winner = Outlander

It surprised me that the Outlander had stiffer suspension than the Renegade. The Renegade X xc is Can Am's sport 4x4, while the Outlander X xc is Can Am's GNCC racer. And the Outlander X xc certainly has a race tuned suspension to go with its other upgrades. It works well at high speed over the rough stuff, but at speeds that 99% of trail riders that buy 4x4 ATVs will not see very often, if ever. The Outlander X xc can land a jump like a long travel trophy truck. Well, ... maybe not that good, but certainly better than any other utility ATV I've ever ridden, including ATVs with high dollar aftermarket suspension (Elka, Ohlins, King). There was a section of trail today that had a series of water dams built across the trail to drain water off the trail. Those water dams make perfect jumps, although they either have a big G-out in front of the jump, or a big dug out hole behind the jump, depending on which side of the Jump the bulldozer got the dirt from to make the water dam. It didn't matter which way you took the jump, with the G-out before the jump, or by clearing the hole after the jump, the Outlander X xc soaked up the landings extremely well. Even coming up short when jumping across the hole after a jump was no problem. I didn't feel the suspension bottom out once on the Outlander, and the frame only scrubbed the ground lightly one time. In contrast, the Renegade seems to blow through its suspension travel faster, and almost always scrubs its frame on the ground when landing a jump. Luckily, the Renegade has excellent aftermarket skidplates on it.

[BATTLEGUN]

Awesome report 3TV! I love reading your write-ups.

[pro123]

Originally Posted by 3TV

I had the chance to take the ATVs up on the mountain today for a 50 mile trail ride. We rode at the Duck Creek ATV Trail System, in southern Utah. The terrain is very rocky, with several sections of trail crossing a lava bed that is brutally rough. My two sons went with me, and my oldest son and I switched machines several times, giving both of us a chance to ride both the Outlander X xc and the Renegade X xc.

The two machines are similar, but have distinct differences. The Outlander's suspension is really stiff at low speed, and can beat you up if you want to cruise around slowly. Pick up the speed though, and it works like its supposed to. I would rate the two quads as such:

Slow speed ride quailty: winner = Renegade
High speed ride quality: winner = tie

Slow speed handling: winner = Outlander
High speed handling: winner = Renegade

Jumping: winner = Outlander

It surprised me that the Outlander had stiffer suspension than the Renegade. The Renegade X xc is Can Am's sport 4x4, while the Outlander X xc is Can Am's GNCC racer. And the Outlander X xc certainly has a race tuned suspension to go with its other upgrades. It works well at high speed over the rough stuff, but at speeds that 99% of trail riders that buy 4x4 ATVs will not see very often, if ever. The Outlander X xc can land a jump like a long travel trophy truck. Well, ... maybe not that good, but certainly better than any other utility ATV I've ever ridden, including ATVs with high dollar aftermarket suspension (Elka, Ohlins, King). There was a section of trail today that had a series of water dams built across the trail to drain water off the trail. Those water dams make perfect jumps, although they either have a big G-out in front of the jump, or a big dug out hole behind the jump, depending on which side of the Jump the bulldozer got the dirt from to make the water dam. It didn't matter which way you took the jump, with the G-out before the jump, or by clearing the hole after the jump, the Outlander X xc soaked up the landings extremely well. Even coming up short when jumping across the hole after a jump was no problem. I didn't feel the suspension bottom out once on the Outlander, and the frame only scrubbed the ground lightly one time. In contrast, the Renegade seems to blow through its suspension travel faster, and almost always scrubs its frame on the ground when landing a jump. Luckily, the Renegade has excellent aftermarket skidplates on it.

I can not decide whether to get the outlander or the renegade, after riding both machines what would you recommend for all-around hard trail ridding.

[3TV]

Depends on whether you want to take anything with you, or not. If you plan on taking anything like tools, lunch, rain gear, or extra fuel, get the Outlander X xc. It is really really close to a Renegade in how fast it can cover the ground. For pure speed and handling precision, the Renegade is still unbeaten though.

I'm happy with the Outlander, and plan on doing some more extreme rides than I have been able to do with the Renegade. I'm planning a 600 miles in three days kind of ride, with camping out on the trail each night.

[1Bad1000Xxc]

Damn that thing is tough looking. I absolutely love that front bumper. I wonder if they will make one similar as an accessory for the Renegade.
Nice buy 3TV, yet again.