Can Am Defender HD10 XT Review

[@earlfletcher4814]

Finally a honest review looking into buying a Can-Am this helped out a lot with concerns thank you

[@countrydave3600]

Simple fix for the seatbelt issue, I had the same frustration. Take the three screws out of the buckel cover exposing the switch that closes when you plug in your safety belt. Carefully pry out the switch and turn it over. When you replace the cover the switch will be closed at all times.

[@ryancone8370]

That is a great idea. I will be doing that ASAP!!

[@iamnoone9242]

David Russell I took my window nets off and saved the seat belt clasp to put in the seat belt lock

[@talonpilot]

....or they sell seat belt blanks on amazon for cheap ($2)

[@harrisonsears]

@@talonpilot or get a seat belt extension for free from the manufacturer, plug it in and bam, problem solved

[@billtrombley3434]

Ryan, you can buy a seat belt harness override clip for your machines, look online for it, way easier than leaving the belt fastened. As for seats hurting your back, ask dealer or friends about seat upgrades or have them custom upgraded with lumbar support, somebody must do that. I think better seat are available from factory / dealer now. Glad to see your dogs enjoy the machine too. Ours are excited to ride with us, every chance they get.

[@PondstompingAdventures]

that's a great honest review. Glad you pointed out the problem with the grass seeds in the radiator, and the possible homemade screen fix. Thanks for such a great down to earth review, very refreshing. Keep up the great work.

[@ryancone8370]

Thank you very much. If you have any questions about the Defender let me know and I will see if I can help you out.

[@aceyorba]

Have a 2018 HD10. Leaking master cylinder ,tires are cheep, don't like the lag from stop to drive as you press the gas pedal. And what ever you do don't leave the key on the assesory selection . It will kill the battery. Pull the key. Like he said. The Can-Am accessories are super expensive

[@nathanbaier9929]

Hi Ryan Cone. Awsome review! I like a review from a user not a seller. I live in Iowa and live on a farm with row crop and cattle herd. Work on sxs and ATVs on the side. I've been wondering about the defender, we have 3 Canam ATVs on the farm and 2 Polaris sxs. To add to this guys I honestly think can am's torque curve is better suited for farming and it also easier on the belt and clutches which seems to be what Polaris still struggles with. Ryan I'm glad you tell the way it is Polaris is probably more comfortable ride and seat. the radiator part does suck!! I've made some screens for our machines also one week of checking cows and grass seed has stuffed its self in the radiator. I'll have to see how hard it is to take the radiator out of the defender when I go to the dealer next. on most machines by the time I get them I have to pull them out there is no way without just directly power washing the radiator out will I get them clean. I wish I had the contacts to the people who make the screens for tractors to have some made for sxs and ATVs and start selling them. Ryan on the 4wd I'm pretty sure the defender uses the same actuator system the Canam ATVs do you don't need to come to a complete stop just make sure your not spinning the back tires faster than the fronts actually it's better on them to be moving a little bit it helps the splines matchup quicker and not stress the actuator as much. I normally just let off the gas to where I'm coasting and switch now I don't do it going 40mph, 20mph and under should be safe to do it. I wonder how the wheel bearings and suspension bushings will last on these in my area that the biggest issue with the rangers. Again awsome review glad to see a Ag related review and a cattle men at that... row crop guys don't always put stuff through their paces like we do haha. Dad bought a cake feeder for his ranger but I don't think it will handle the weight very well.

[@ryancone8370]

Thanks for the comment. I have right at 1,300 miles on mine now and I still like it for the most part. We are pretty hard on them. I will say the radiator has proven to be a big issue. In order to get to it you have to take the front plastic light covers off, the plastic shield over the radiator, the plastic wind funnel that guides air into the radiator and the poor excuse for a screen that they have over the radiator. It is a real pain and then you have a hard time getting to the back of the radiator. I blew it out really good but after preconditioning is done I am going to take the time to take it completely out and wash it. As for the suspension bushings one thing I do like is they are greasable and we grease them regularly. Good luck with your cattle.

[@sarahramsay6901]

W

[@jathomas437]

You said two stroke, I think you meant two cylinder.

[@jaredsamuelson3093]

Great review with real world perspective. Looking forward to your future videos!

[@lesr5737]

Hey there thank you so much for the review I like you try and find some kind of reviews on this model and it's all Sugar & Moonbeams again thank you for taking time to put out a review

[@NZsarge1]

Good review, just a small point though. You say it has a two stroke motor.. I understand them to be four stroke motors. That aside your point about on the fly 4 wheel drive engagement is a good one, won't be a deal breaker for some but might be for others.

[@ryancone8370]

I agree with you on that I made that mistake. After I had posted the video and watched it again I had noticed I said it was two stroke and it is a four stroke. Good catch because that was my mistake. Thanks for watching!

[@curtisbull1583]

Good review, thanks for taking the time. I've been looking for a sxs myself, had a 2012 Polaris 800, had it less then 2 years and sold it. Polaris's are very high maintenance always working on something. Don't want another one, so I've been looking at this new defender 1000. A few complaints I will add. The front end locking system known as can am's visco-lok is terrible IMO, it takes to long to engage and don't stay locked if you run bigger tires and or are in a tough situation. although a $800 halo Locker would be a fix for that issue. Most people would probably never have an issue with it but for guys that do a lot of technical riding and use that front diff lock a lot will notice it's not a good system one of the best systems out I think come from the Yamaha type, their front ends are locked when you want them locked and unlocked when you want, you're in control by the push of a button. Another issue, to some will be a somewhat low ground clearance. 11 inches of ground clearance doesn't sound bad but when you're out using it a guy can find it to not quite be adequate and about an inch to an inch and a half lower than the competition and even worse is a fact that the Defender has a longer wheelbase than the competition so the lower ground clearance at times will be more of an issue. last issue I'm aware of is the placement of where the clutch breathes in the outside air, it's right on the side of the machine and if you're riding in snow that vent can get covered was snow or frozen ice, causing the clutch components and belt to overheat.

[@Markus8200]

Was going to pickup a 2017 Defender today, great video and appreciate the honest review.

[@ryancone8370]

Thank you.

[@1southernpride1]

Great no bull shit review!! Thank you so much. I really appreciative!!

[@par25]

Those fields. Look amazing

[@Blacklist1775]

Good Lord thank You! It's hard to evaluate these because usually the reviews are done by folks that just use them for "fun", or "offroading". I need to know how it will work on my farm and ranch. I think I'll get one. Now if corn would just be worth more than 3 bucks........

[@user-ym4qh2qw6z]

There is a slot that you can cut off of the plastic under the hood to add a chicken wire screen to keep radiator clean..

[@robstevenson6842]

As long as your not spinning your rear tires you can shift on the fly. Unless something has changed with them.... I always shifted on the fly.

[@joshwages4223]

good real world review, just bought one for ranch work myself, so far I'm pleased with it, the negative things you pointed out are some of my concerns too mainly the radiator and 4x4.

[@ryancone8370]

Thanks. The radiator can be fixed with a home made screen over that hole. That 4x4 is a pain though. Good luck with your cattle!

[@joshpittman6021]

How bout an update? Any additional problems? How many miles? Thank you!! Great video!

[@nbnguitar]

Solid review. Thank you.

[@1gr8oil]

IHAVE THE 2017 xt 10 AND i CAN SHIFT INTO 4x4 ON THE FLY! DON;T KNOW WHY YOU HAVE TO STOP TO DO IT?

[@MisterPrecision13]

Excellent review. Honest and to the point. Love your farm and choice of dog. Cheers from Australia...

[@Adam_Newman]

good review, would you still recommend the defender

[@FreedomPowersportsTX]

Great review Ryan!

[@Ram-re5em]

Finally what a side by side is good for ranching. To big for motor sports.

[@danehaayer9917]

Just let go of the gas and switch it in or out of four wheel drive It switches quick

[@Okc-tm8xj]

Hi great review in the market for sxs and just wanting to know why you prefer this over the Polaris? cheers from New Zealand

[@goodtalker]

Friends tell me the fit and finish are better on a Can Am than a Ranger....any comments? I've owned a Ranger.....always thought the Japanese made a better machine, but a Viking, for example, is a little on the small side for me.

[@josecarrasco144]

Thank you for posting a true hands on review. I'm leaning towards the Can Am Defender but I'm looking at the Polaris Ranger XP 570 EPS, also. My question is: What is the difference between the HD 8 and HD 10 as far as power is concerned. Are there any differences in ride comfort, speed, acceleration, etc? Thanks again for your good review!

[@ryancone8370]

The HD8 has 800cc and the HD10 has 1000cc. There is a slight power difference but the only place I notice it is when we are climbing hills and it really doesn't make a huge difference for us. Where we are in the sandhills all of the time I never test the top end speed. They both have plenty of power to accelerate to 25 mph. They are both identical in suspension and have the same style seat and body style. The HD8 has smaller tires on it and when I wear them out I will be putting bigger tires like the HD10 XT has so the ground clearance and traction is increased. I will say I wouldn't go with a utv that has under 700cc again because I have found they don't have enough power to do what we need done.

[@josecarrasco144]

Thanks for the response. Now I have a tough decision to make!

[@benjaminmadsen9747]

@Ryan Cone this was a while ago, do you have 4 year follow up?

[@jesseteick891]

Can you put a lift kit on it? What's the price of the machine?

[@coldspring624]

Just what I have been looking for ....an owner talking. Did you trade out of the Defender or did you stick with them?

[@ryancone8370]

I still have a couple of them. I don't have this one anymore I have traded it off.

[@coldspring624]

@@ryancone8370 Thanks for the reply

[@ryancone8370]

@@coldspring624 I Just traded one of my Can Ams off today and bought a Honda Pioneer 1000. I now have a Can Am HD10 XT and This new Handa Pioneer 1000. I will do a review on the Honda in the next couple weeks after I work it pretty hard.

[@Drive-Elegant-Co]

great vid

[@ryancone8370]

Thank you very much!

[@coreym5072]

Looks like you want a workhorse? Kubota rtv x series is the best. Will last you a lot longer than any of these gas models

[@racergaming4590]

hi just wanted to know can you fix fence with it better than a atv cause i bought one and i live on dairy farm ny so i was just wondering

[@ryancone8370]

In my opinion a UTV like the Defender is 100 times better for fixing fence than an ATV. You can go all the same places as a 4 wheeler plus you can carry your tools in the UTV box. We don't even own a 4 wheeler anymore all we use are Side x Sides.

[@racergaming4590]

Ok thanks one more question could you do like a video on farm equipment just like a hay equipment show in tell you know what I mean just an idea for a future video.

[@crowhunter6974]

How is the Defender doing? Any issues cropped up?

[@ryancone8370]

My main issue with the Defender is the radiator placement. It plugs up and has to be cleaned frequently. I understand radiators having to be cleaned out but the one on the Defender is so difficult to get to that it is a real pain. I wouldn't say that the radiator is a deal breaker on buying another one but it is something I will definitely consider when I trade and get a new machine this next spring. I have around 2,500 miles on the unit in the video and have had no issues with it besides the radiator cleaning issue. I like how the suspension can be greased and the extra storage spots inside the cab is a real plus since I carry around a lot of cattle vaccine and syringes etc. most all of the time. Thanks for watching!!

[@crowhunter6974]

Hope it is still doing good for you. I am going to pick up an HD8XT next week, assuming the dealer can get it set up. Your video is one of the reasons. Thanks!

[@canamdennis6829]

It's not a 2stroke it's a 4stroke and it's a twin cylinder

[@racergaming4590]

and this is my sons account thats why it says racergaming

[@blazeitmichael3413]

Why not just use a light truck? Same performance if not better by a lot for probably less if you get an older one.

[@mattm7078]

Main reason is because a truck won't hold up to the constant beating of field or off-road work. Trucks now days are made for pavement

[@AceGreene]

I didn't notice the dog until 6 minutes in.

[@ryancone8370]

They go with me pretty much everywhere. My kelpie sleeps in the Can Am so she doesn't miss out on any action.

[@eithanlong1355]

"2 stroke motor" 🤣