When it comes to buying a new ATV, the two brands that always come to mind are Yamaha and Can-Am. There’s a good reason for that! The two companies make some of the world’s best four-wheelers, like the Yamaha Blaster and Can-Am Renegade 1000, for example. However, deciding which brand is more reliable can be tricky if you are new to ATVs. Don’t worry; here is where my expertise comes in.
Yamaha is better than Can-Am. While both brands create premium four-wheelers that can take on the most challenging trails, Yamaha’s ATVs are made for wear and tear. Yamaha ATVs are known for their powerful engines and sturdy build that makes them durable and reliable. In addition, Yamaha offers a wider range of four-wheelers than Can-Am and they are usually cheaper. Therefore, you will have an easier time finding an ATV that suits your needs.
Make sure to keep reading if you are curious why Yamaha comes out on top when compared to Can-Am. I will showcase the main differences between the two brands and present their best models.
What’s More Reliable: Yamaha or Can-Am?
Right from the start, I want to mention that Yamaha and Can-Am are both great brands. They make amazing ATVs that come equipped with premium features and builds. However, Yamaha is more reliable than Can-Am. One of the things that you will notice on all Yamaha ATVs, no matter if they cost $600 or $3,000, is that they all sport a durable build. To make things even better, Yamaha loves to design sportsy ATVs that look amazing. Just take the Grizzly 700 EPS, for example. That ATV is a beast!
Another important factor that makes Yamaha more reliable than Can-Am is the highly optimized engine and low maintenance costs. That’s not all. Since Yamaha is such a popular brand, you will be able to find replacement parts at almost any ATV repair store in your area. In fact, you are guaranteed to also find aftermarket parts that come at a lower price and will make replacing your ATV oil filter even cheaper.
The final factor that gives Yamaha an upper hand when compared with Can-Am is the wide range of models that it offers. Yamaha makes four-wheelers for all budgets. Are you looking for a beginner ATV that is perfect for a teenager? You can choose from a long list of 200cc ATVs. Or do you need something bigger? You can never go wrong with the Grizzly 700 EPS SE.
What are Yamaha’s Most Popular ATVs?
As previously mentioned, Yamaha offers many ATVs that cater to all budgets. Below you can find a chart that showcases the top 5 best Yamaha ATVs (ranked based on performances and popularity) and a short breakdown of their specs.
| Yamaha ATV | Engine | Power | Suspension | Tires |
| Yamaha Raptor 700R | 686cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 51 horsepower | 5-way adjustable suspension | Maxxis tires |
| Yamaha YFZ450R | 449cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 45 horsepower | Fully adjustable suspension | Maxxis tires |
| Yamaha Wolverine X4 | 847cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 75 horsepower | Independent suspension | Maxxis tires |
| Yamaha Grizzly EPS | 708cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 47 horsepower | Fully adjustable suspension | Maxxis tires |
| Yamaha Kodiak 450 | 421cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 42 horsepower | Fully adjustable suspension | Maxxis tires |
What are Can-Am’s Most Popular ATVs?
Even though Yamaha is the favorite brand, Can-Am still makes some of the world’s best ATVs, and no one can deny that. Just take a look at the chart below that showcases Can-Am’s top 5 best ATVs, and you will see that each model comes with a slew of premium features and specs.
| Can-Am ATV | Engine | Power | Suspension | Tires |
| Can-Am DS 90 | 90cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 8 horsepower | Dual A-Arm suspension | Carlisle AT489 AT tires |
| Can-Am Outlander MAX 570 | 570cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 45 horsepower | Torsional Trailing arm Independent (TTI) suspension | ITP Hurricane tires |
| Can-Am Renegade X mr 1000R | 976cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 82 horsepower | Torsional Trailing arm Independent (TTI) suspension | Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires |
| Can-Am Outlander XT 650 | 650cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke | 46 horsepower | Torsional Trailing arm Independent (TTI) suspension | Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires |
| Can-Am Defender HD8 | Rotax HD8 V-Twin | 48 horsepower | Dual A-Arm suspension | Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires |
One thing that almost all Can-Am ATVs have in common is that they are big. This is why you shouldn’t be surprised to find out that a Can-Am sits at the top of my best four-wheelers for camping list.
Final Words
I think I made it pretty clear that Yamaha is better than Can-Am. However, I do need to highlight that Can-Am is not a bad brand by any means! Quite the opposite. Can-Am makes great four-wheelers, it’s just that Yamaha has an edge when it comes to reliable performances and sturdy builds. It’s also important the Yamaha ATVs are cheaper and therefore, more accessible to people who are getting started with riding ATVs.
