2017 Can-Am Outlander 1000R X MR vs. Polaris Sportsman XP1000 High Lifter: By the Numbers

Story by Derrek Sigler. Published May. 12, 2017 0 Updated May. 21, 2017

Two high-powered mud machines do battle in this specs comparison

Dirt and water – two things that make up most of the planet and both vitally important to life. Add them together to create mud, something that for many of us is very important to “livin’ it up.” Playing in the mud is something we start doing as kids and some never grow out of. For those that see the slop as a way to kick back and have a good time, there are a couple of specialized mud machines ready to take playing in the mud to a whole new level. Let’s take a look at the Can-Am Outlander 1000R X MR and the Polaris Sportsman XP1000 High Lifter Edition by the numbers.

	2017 Can-Am Outlander X MR 1000R	2017 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter
Price	$14,299	$13,999
Engine	976 cc V-twin, snorkeled, liquid cooled with relocated radiator	952cc 4-Stroke SOHC Twin Cylinder ProStar
Horsepower	89	85
Driveline/Differential	Selectable 4WD with Visco-Lok‡ QE auto-locking front differential	High Performance On-Demand True AWD/2WD
Transmission	CVT/P/R/N/H/Extra Low L, standard engine braking	Automatic PVT P/R/N/L/H
Wheelbase	59 in	53 in
Overall Dimensions (LxWxH)	97 x 50 x 51.5 in	83.25 x 47.6 x 50.75 in
Dry Weight	990 lbs dry	822 lbs dry
Front Tires	Gorilla Axle Silverback 30 x 9 x 14 in	29.5 inch High Lifter Outlaw 2
Rear Tires	Gorilla Axle Silverback 30 x 9 x 14 in	29.5 inch High Lifter Outlaw 2
Ground Clearance	13.0 in	11.5 in
Fuel Capacity	5.4 gal	5.25 gal
Front Suspension	FOX 1.5 PODIUM QS3	Hi Clearance Arched Dual A-Arm 9 in
Rear Suspension	FOX 1.5 PODIUM QS3	Hi Clearance Arched Dual A-Arm, Rolled IRS, 10.25 in
Front/Rear Brakes	Dual 214 mm ventilated disc brakes/Single 214mm disc	Single Lever 4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc
Rack Capacity	200 lbs rear	240 lbs rear

Horsepower

Playing in the mud with the big boys takes power and these two machines have it in great supply. The Can-Am has an 89-horsepower, Rotax 976 cc V-Twin at its core. The big thumper has a nice growl to it and lots of power to run through the slop. The liquid-cooled beast is fed through a snorkel air intake and the radiator is relocated to the front rack, keeping it up and clear from mud.

Polaris powers the Sportsman with a 952cc four-stroke, SOHC twin-cylinder ProStar engine that puts out 85 horsepower. Polaris also moves the radiator and air intakes up and away from the mud to keep the Sportsman purring like a kitten, albeit a dirty one. The Polaris features full engine braking and they use dual inverted fans to keep the radiator running cool.

Tires

The Outlander runs custom wheels with special Gorilla Axle mud tires. The tires are a full 30 inches tall with deep lugs and sidewall tread for digging out of the mire.

The Polaris is outfitted with 29.5-inch High Lifter Outlaw 2 meats. These tires have deep, two-inch lugs spaced for running the muck. They come mounted on custom aluminum wheels designed to shed mud as well.

Specialization

There is so much specialized equipment with these machines. The factories took what consumers were doing to stock machines and produced versions capable of competing in mud runs right off the showroom floor.

The Can-Am starts with the Outlander MAX, retaining the longer wheelbase and even the rear passenger footwells, but has the standard seat for a single rider. This gives the MR a longer frame for wheeling through the goo. It also lets the rider reposition his/her feet. It comes with front and rear bumpers, aluminum handlebars with handguards, and a 3,000-pound Warn winch. Specialized Fox Shocks keep the wheels on the ground.

The Polaris comes with shielded ducts and intakes to keep mud away from where it’s not supposed to be. It features a specialized, high-mounted front bumper and winch assembly and a 3,500-pound Polaris HD winch. The transmission is geared specifically for mud running and the bigger tires. Handlebars have a custom high-centered mud bar for when things get extreme. The shocks run stiffer springs to keep things smooth and all the electronics and switches, including the keyed ignition, are sealed to prevent water intake.