The Good, Bad and Ugly - Can-Am Defender 3-Month Review

[@markflaugh2293]

Glad you got to do a long term review with this machine and we get to see some issues that might come up for a future owner.

[@wg5768]

Excellent real life review. I own a 2022 Defender and so far it's been great. I bought it for working around the property, but I wanted something that also was trail capable. I have gone on about eight trail rides with varying terrain. It is quite an impressive machine. Our trails have a 65 inch width limit and it gets quite close sometimes between trees or gates. I'm surprised at how many owners immediately put bigger tires on their machines. The stock tires work well and the machine already has good ground clearance. I agree 100 percent with your assessment of skipping on the power windshield and way overpriced audio roof!

[@09X19]

2006 CanAm Outback 800 owner. I just had to replace a small section of fuel line this week. That’s it. It’s been Reliable

[@BillGlasgow-p5c]

I own a 2018 outlander xt 1000 and a 2024 Defender Limited. Neither has been back to a dealer since they were purchased. Both smooth running, powerful and reliable machines to this point. I have owned pretty much every brand in the last 25 years. Have had both a Yamaha Grizzly and a Kawasaki brute Force 650 that started burning a fair bit of oil before 2000km. No issues with the one Suzuki, 3 Hondas and multiple CanAms I have owned.

[@NewfieRC]

I think I’d buy a new Aodes workcross before buying a Can-am defender. Been looking at both and the power windows is a deal breaker, I don’t want them they are gonna break when pine needles and sticks go down into the door. Not to mention I’ll save a pile of cash.

[@coldragoon]

I ride with many defender owners. Never had those issues

[@yorkchris10]

Interesting about the load. I had a BMW motorcycle with an air-cooled 500W automotive style alternator. For off-road, you'd probably want a sealed l/c unit.

[@jimfleury6349]

I have owned a 2020 defender hd10 since new. This thing gets beat up on now has 5,700 k on it battery was replaced around the 4 k mark that’s it other than bearings and bushings (typical maintenance). Keep in mind I have forward a arms with 32” system 3 xtr 370 tires. Bike has been on its side a few times and did great at minded off road park. I ride with my 23 and 25 year old boys riding built renegades with wet shot and nitrous. Soooo when I say this thing takes a beating I’m not kidding !!!

[@martindesjardins7975]

Nice cameo from the electric chevy!

[@atvseatexchange2176]

Yep, great machines when they're running.

[@BIGJOESXR]

A failed stator is completely inexcusable. That said, the instrument cluster DOES HAVE a system voltage gauge which can be monitored if any symptoms arise

[@nortonashburn6119]

I m a yamaha guy but would buy can am before polaris. My friend has a 2023 ranger and i noticed on polaris web that they don t have engine breaking. Need that feature on a sxs.

[@timdavison2417]

I have a 2025 Polaris Ranger xp1000 northstar and it has all kinds of engine braking. Polaris fixed a few issues on the 25 models, which was good because i was heading for a can am myself. I Really enjoy the ranger now and have 450 miles on it at the moment

[@nortonashburn6119]

@@timdavison2417 check the web site. Says engine breaking not equiped. Think its the drivetrain not being free.

[@nortonashburn6119]

@@timdavison2417 check web site. Says engine breaking not equipped. Think its drivetrain not being free enough.

[@nortonashburn6119]

​the engine breaking u feel i think is the drivetrain not free enough.imo

[@GYPSY400]

Seems like they need to improve charging amperage at low RPM.. im betting you ran it at low RPm all day hauling those rocks, and the stator couldn't keep up.. eventually draining the battery.

[@Narvie04]

I spy a Rubicon 700, new video coming soon?

[@tkpowersports]

Yep. Coming soon.

[@MichaelE-c2i]

​@tkpowersports Rubicon. You mean a face-lift Rincon.

[@jamesbarchetti5569]

I. Have. A. 2018. Ca. Am. Defender. Hd. 8. It’s. A. Good. Side-by-side.

[@djodjodubois9458]

At the price that ca-am charges for mechanics and parts..no sense..it's called a joke

[@aroundthegroundlandscaping7107]

For the cost of these things you can get a used truck

[@Zanderthelab]

Obviously it’s not the battery.

[@nlken7175]

Alternator? You meant Stator. That's not a quick fix or cheap fix. Can Am isn't known for quality in SxS or ATV's.

[@westcoastvibes.]

Alternator is what recharges the battery. So no not the starter

[@TVebd]

@@westcoastvibes.Stator, not starter.

[@Zanderthelab]

They don’t have alternators?

[@liamrobinson2084]

Alternators (like on cars) are usually belt driven, and separate from the engine block. A stator does the same job but is internal to the engine rather than a built-in external component. At least that's my non-expert understanding of the difference.

[@Zanderthelab]

@@liamrobinson2084 maybe on a motorcycle… idk if that’s the same for atv’s and side by sides.

[@KINDIRBUDS]

Can-am's fall apart.