I just registered to this forum. I live in Colorado close to Denver, moving here from Minnesota for family reasons. I’ve enjoyed "motor sports" for years and years including RC modeling, go karts, motorcycles, compact tractors, and mainly sports cars. My wife would prefer I take up gardening. We enjoy traveling in our vintage Airstream, both in Colorado as well as the rest of the country. We pull the Airstream with a late model diesel pickup. We are retired and love the RV lifestyle being on the road a couple of months a year.

I met some folks here in my new hometown who are active in the ATV hobby. I am planning on joining them for some Colorado trail rides in the future. They ride Arctic Cats and recommend them. Being from the Minneapolis area I am quite familiar with the Polaris brand. I have been researching ATVs the best I can before I make a purchase decision. Here is what I want in an ATV:

1. I want a 2 up machine for an occasional passenger. But mainly I like the idea of a longer wheelbase. I don’t want a side by side and I want to plow snow and need the maneuverability. A tight turning radius is important to me. Besides, I want to stay under the 50" wide requirement for ATV trails here in Colorado.

2 I want to plow Colorado snow in the winter with it, including the snowplow mounds at the end of the driveway. Heavy stuff when wet.

3. I will take it on leisurely trail rides with my new friends.

4 I want good ground clearance, easy steering, and a comfortable ride. I will not be doing any aggressive trail riding. I’ll steer around a mud hole.

5. I’ll do some chores around my home with it, mainly skidding out dead trees and hauling cut firewood with a trailer.

6. First and foremost, I want reliability in my ATV.

So Can Am Outlander Max 850 is on top of my list at the moment. It is considerably more expensive. I know the Rotax engine from my go kart days, I like the fit and finish of the Outlander, I like the adjustable shocks, and I think I like the 4wd "visco" locking differential. I need good engine braking in the mountains around here. I don’t need a 75 hp machine, but I want 75 hp.

So I will browse this Forum learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of the Can Am Outlander.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

David