VG SERE
Yellow Skull
- Joined
- May 28, 2020
- Member Number
- 1621
- Messages
- 204
2021 Can Am Defender Max XT
I've been looking at SxS for a while. Something I can take the fam up the mountain to pick huckleberries, hunt, plow and hopefully be able to finally pawn off hauling our garbage cans a mile down the roan on to the kids finally. Can drive on the street in ID, so I needed a bit of go, but I'm a pretty tame enjoy the scenery kind of guy so I don't need 20" of suspension travel either. Defender seemed like the best compromise between fun and utility.
I've got a couple hundred miles on it so far, logging roads, atv trails, dirt/gravel, town, and even some highway, lol. This thing has plenty of go. Other than the tire noise 60mph on the pavement is no sweat(will get to it's claimed 65mph max even with passengers quickly). It does drink the gas at that speed.
The good:
Seats 6
Plenty of go
Plenty of room in the dump bed for real chores
Front/ Rear selectable locker, several other brands i looked at had full time or friction lockers in the rear.
Quiet- easily have conversations at cruising speeds.
Bed removes easily giving great access to engine, rear suspension, etc.
Seems to be well thought out as far as access. Whole thing comes apart.
great range at reasonable speeds.
Things I already am changing/ want to change.
No tunes = lame. This is going on the ceiling behind the front seats. Has built in dome lights as well. Was around $540 retail. A bargain compared to the all in one roof audio systems. If you need attention, or love tinnitus there are some wild options out there.
Mirrors! Driving in town was annoying with no mirrors or signals. These are great. I still need a rearview mirror. Debating going with a back up camera version.
Signals/ Horn. I haven't even checked ID SxS laws to see if i need them. Don't care, I want turn signals, even if the ID folks don't know what they mean.
This kit has nothing but stellar reviews. Went all in with options and a horn. Spendy, but great execution and plug and play.
Lights! So here I could use some help. Converting the factory hi/lo H11's to LED. I don't need any light bars... Except plow is going to block the headlights and I want a rear work light/ backup light. I would LOVE to do quality RED LEDs spot/flood combos. Want to be able to cruise to a stand in the dark and get my shit together without a headlamp, blinding myself, or alerting the whole valley. I found a bunch of red/white options, but they all use a little fob and do a bunch of unnecessary crap. I'd prefer a 3 position switch red/off/white. That's not a thing. Just want a 10" up front over the plow and a 6-7" over the bed for a backup/ work light. Red and white. May just say screw it and get the combo versions. Open to ideas.
Windshield.- came with a poly. It works, but I want a windshield wiper for plowing, and that means glass. Picked up the factory tilt glass with wiper kit.
Suspension- is way too soft for my liking. It dives and pushes in corners. Consensus are these springs are the ticket. Gonna try them.
Heater- ugh. Want one, don't want to spend the two days tearing the machine apart for the install. Lazy or frostbite - who will win?
Half doors - ok this shit is already spendy, but are you kidding me... Still on the fence. Would add a ton of wind protection especially for the rear seats. Would probably cut down on road noise as well.
Brakes squeal- don't have a answer yet but it seems to be a common complaint.
Plow- I could use some advice here. My driveway is basically a bowl. House on one side and retaining walls on two others. Snow all has to go out one way. Thinking V plow, but torn. Can I get out and position the blades a 100 times to save $2500? Western and Boss seem to be the main options, but I found 2 other options. I'm spacing the names right now.
Seat covers- Can-Am Defender Seat Covers | Custom Seat Covers for a Can-Am Defender
That's plenty to start. Other than that I filled the handy little under seat storage bin with the usual trail stuff. TP, med kit, recovery stuff, gloves, jacket, tools, etc.
I know I need some decent dust masks or something if I'm going to be riding with friends. Dust wasn't bad at all Sat and we still ended up looking like extras from the Grapes of Wrath.
Phone mount and GPS app, lots of trails I want to explore. Need to play with Gaia some more. Use it for hunting, 99% for property lines. Need to see what it offers for trail riding.
Possibly some more trail/ road oriented tires. Not a priority, toy fund is already draining quickly.
What other gear/mods have really made your sxs trips enjoyable?
I've been looking at SxS for a while. Something I can take the fam up the mountain to pick huckleberries, hunt, plow and hopefully be able to finally pawn off hauling our garbage cans a mile down the roan on to the kids finally. Can drive on the street in ID, so I needed a bit of go, but I'm a pretty tame enjoy the scenery kind of guy so I don't need 20" of suspension travel either. Defender seemed like the best compromise between fun and utility.
I've got a couple hundred miles on it so far, logging roads, atv trails, dirt/gravel, town, and even some highway, lol. This thing has plenty of go. Other than the tire noise 60mph on the pavement is no sweat(will get to it's claimed 65mph max even with passengers quickly). It does drink the gas at that speed.
The good:
Seats 6
Plenty of go
Plenty of room in the dump bed for real chores
Front/ Rear selectable locker, several other brands i looked at had full time or friction lockers in the rear.
Quiet- easily have conversations at cruising speeds.
Bed removes easily giving great access to engine, rear suspension, etc.
Seems to be well thought out as far as access. Whole thing comes apart.
great range at reasonable speeds.
Things I already am changing/ want to change.
No tunes = lame. This is going on the ceiling behind the front seats. Has built in dome lights as well. Was around $540 retail. A bargain compared to the all in one roof audio systems. If you need attention, or love tinnitus there are some wild options out there.
BRRF46A | BOSS Audio Systems, a Leading Audio & Video Brand
8" Poly Injection Cone Woofer & Two Pairs 6.5" High Output 2-Way Speakers. Built-in Class D Amp and 3.5mm Aux Input Compatible with Audio Output of Smartphones and MP3 Players. Bluetooth Audio Streaming - play and control music and apps like Spotify/Pandora wirelessly. IPX 5 Rated Weatherproof...
bossaudio.com
Mirrors! Driving in town was annoying with no mirrors or signals. These are great. I still need a rearview mirror. Debating going with a back up camera version.
EMBARK SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WITH BEZEL – Seizmik
seizmik.com
Signals/ Horn. I haven't even checked ID SxS laws to see if i need them. Don't care, I want turn signals, even if the ID folks don't know what they mean.
This kit has nothing but stellar reviews. Went all in with options and a horn. Spendy, but great execution and plug and play.
Turn Signal Kit for Can-am Defender UTVs
Stay street legal with the Can-Am Defender Turn Signal Kit from Corbin Custom Works. Enhance safety and compliance seamlessly.
www.corbincustomworks.com
Lights! So here I could use some help. Converting the factory hi/lo H11's to LED. I don't need any light bars... Except plow is going to block the headlights and I want a rear work light/ backup light. I would LOVE to do quality RED LEDs spot/flood combos. Want to be able to cruise to a stand in the dark and get my shit together without a headlamp, blinding myself, or alerting the whole valley. I found a bunch of red/white options, but they all use a little fob and do a bunch of unnecessary crap. I'd prefer a 3 position switch red/off/white. That's not a thing. Just want a 10" up front over the plow and a 6-7" over the bed for a backup/ work light. Red and white. May just say screw it and get the combo versions. Open to ideas.
Windshield.- came with a poly. It works, but I want a windshield wiper for plowing, and that means glass. Picked up the factory tilt glass with wiper kit.
Suspension- is way too soft for my liking. It dives and pushes in corners. Consensus are these springs are the ticket. Gonna try them.
S3 Power Sports Can-Am Defender HD Springs
Shop Can-Am Defender HD Springs in the S3 Power Sports store! Verify fitment and compatibility, check product specs, and read reviews!
s3powersports.com
Heater- ugh. Want one, don't want to spend the two days tearing the machine apart for the install. Lazy or frostbite - who will win?
Half doors - ok this shit is already spendy, but are you kidding me... Still on the fence. Would add a ton of wind protection especially for the rear seats. Would probably cut down on road noise as well.
Brakes squeal- don't have a answer yet but it seems to be a common complaint.
Plow- I could use some advice here. My driveway is basically a bowl. House on one side and retaining walls on two others. Snow all has to go out one way. Thinking V plow, but torn. Can I get out and position the blades a 100 times to save $2500? Western and Boss seem to be the main options, but I found 2 other options. I'm spacing the names right now.
Seat covers- Can-Am Defender Seat Covers | Custom Seat Covers for a Can-Am Defender
That's plenty to start. Other than that I filled the handy little under seat storage bin with the usual trail stuff. TP, med kit, recovery stuff, gloves, jacket, tools, etc.
I know I need some decent dust masks or something if I'm going to be riding with friends. Dust wasn't bad at all Sat and we still ended up looking like extras from the Grapes of Wrath.
Phone mount and GPS app, lots of trails I want to explore. Need to play with Gaia some more. Use it for hunting, 99% for property lines. Need to see what it offers for trail riding.
Possibly some more trail/ road oriented tires. Not a priority, toy fund is already draining quickly.
What other gear/mods have really made your sxs trips enjoyable?