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

Derrek Sigler
by Derrek Sigler
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 1000R2017 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter
Price$14,299$13,999
Engine976 cc V-twin, snorkeled, liquid cooled with relocated radiator952cc 4-Stroke SOHC Twin Cylinder ProStar
Horsepower8985
Driveline/DifferentialSelectable 4WD with Visco-Lok‡ QE auto-locking front differentialHigh Performance On-Demand True AWD/2WD
TransmissionCVT/P/R/N/H/Extra Low L, standard engine brakingAutomatic PVT P/R/N/L/H
Wheelbase59 in53 in
Overall Dimensions (LxWxH)97 x 50 x 51.5 in83.25 x 47.6 x 50.75 in
Dry Weight990 lbs dry822 lbs dry
Front TiresGorilla Axle Silverback 30 x 9 x 14 in29.5 inch High Lifter Outlaw 2
Rear TiresGorilla Axle Silverback 30 x 9 x 14 in29.5 inch High Lifter Outlaw 2
Ground Clearance13.0 in11.5 in
Fuel Capacity5.4 gal5.25 gal
Front SuspensionFOX 1.5 PODIUM QS3Hi Clearance Arched Dual A-Arm 9 in
Rear SuspensionFOX 1.5 PODIUM QS3Hi Clearance Arched Dual A-Arm, Rolled IRS, 10.25 in
Front/Rear BrakesDual 214 mm ventilated disc brakes/Single 214mm discSingle Lever 4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc
Rack Capacity200 lbs rear240 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.

2017 Can-Am Outlander 1000R X MR Action

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.

2017 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Tires

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.

2017 Can-Am Outlander 1000R X MR Studio

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.

2017 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Studio

So there you have it. If you’re serious about mud running, get into your local Can-Am or Polaris dealer and look at one of these mud monsters.

Can-Am Outlander 1000R X MR Specs

Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Specs

Derrek Sigler
Derrek Sigler

Derrek's love for all things ATV started when he was a mere 11 years old, growing up on his family farm. His mom gave him and his sister a choice - get a horse, or a three-wheeler. The sister wanted the horse, and Derrek wanted the ATV. Luckily he won out, and was soon burning up the trails on a Yamaha Tri-Moto 200. By the time he was 14, he had saved enough of his own money by working on the farm and in his folks restaurant to buy a new 4-wheeler. That happened the day he and his mom were driving past the dealership and saw 1987 Banshee. His mom had no idea what he was buying, and he never looked back. He's been riding ever since, and been writing professionally for many years. He has ridden all over North America and been behind the controls of just about every machine out there. And yes, he still has his 1987 Yamaha Banshee.

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