You’ve got a Can-Am Outlander, one of the most capable ATVs straight from the factory. But you know, just like we do at FatBoysOffroad, that “stock” is just a starting point. You feel that itch to make it truly your machine, tailored perfectly to how you ride.
We promise this isn’t just another list of expensive parts. This is your practical, no-nonsense roadmap. We’ll show you exactly how to choose the right upgrades, what to install first, and how to get the most bang for your buck.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the best mods for Can-Am Outlander, starting with essential protection and moving all the way up to serious performance gains. Let’s get that rig ready to dominate the trail.
Before You Mod: The Essential First Steps
Before you start bolting on new parts, let’s lay the groundwork. A modified machine is only as reliable as its foundation. Following these best mods for can am outlander best practices ensures your upgrades perform as they should on a healthy ATV.
Assess Your Riding Style
The “best” mod is entirely dependent on you. A mud-bogging monster needs a different setup than a high-speed trail runner or a rock-crawling workhorse.
Ask yourself:
- Mud Warrior: Do you live for deep mud holes? Think snorkel kits, aggressive mud tires, and winch power.
- Trail Blazer: Do you crave fast-paced forest trails? Focus on tires with great all-around grip, better suspension, and protective skid plates.
- Rock Crawler: Is slow and technical your game? You’ll want high-clearance A-arms, durable tires with strong sidewalls, and underbelly protection.
- Utility User: Is your Outlander a tool for work? Prioritize storage racks, a solid winch, and improved lighting for those early mornings.
The Pre-Mod Health Check
Never build on a shaky foundation. Before spending a dime on upgrades, give your Outlander a thorough once-over. This is a critical part of our best mods for can am outlander care guide.
Check the basics: engine oil, coolant, differential fluids, and brake fluid. Inspect your brake pads, check for play in your wheel bearings, and make sure your battery terminals are clean and tight. Fixing a small existing issue is always cheaper than having it cause a catastrophic failure post-mod.
Tier 1 Mods: Protection & Traction – Your First Upgrades
These are the mods we recommend for almost every Outlander owner. They provide the biggest immediate benefits in terms of capability and machine longevity, preventing common problems before they start.
Skid Plates & A-Arm Guards: Your Underbelly’s Best Friend
The factory plastic “skid plates” offer minimal protection. One well-placed rock or stump can crack your engine case or puncture a differential, ending your ride and leading to a four-figure repair bill.
A full set of aluminum or UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight) plastic skid plates is non-negotiable armor. UHMW is often preferred as it’s lighter, slides over obstacles more easily, and absorbs impacts without denting.
Tires & Wheels: The Single Biggest Performance Gain
If you only do one mod, make it tires. The right set of tires will transform how your Outlander handles, brakes, and claws for traction more than any other upgrade. Ditch the stock balloons for a quality aftermarket tire suited to your terrain.
Consider a beadlock wheel if you run low tire pressures for rock crawling or serious mudding. Beadlocks clamp the tire’s bead to the wheel, preventing it from popping off under heavy side-loads or low PSI.
Winch: The Ultimate Self-Recovery Tool
A winch isn’t just for getting yourself unstuck. It’s for moving fallen trees off the trail, helping out your buddies, and providing a massive peace-of-mind boost when you’re riding solo.
For an Outlander, a winch with a 3,500 lb to 4,500 lb capacity is the sweet spot. We strongly recommend choosing one with a synthetic rope over a steel cable—it’s lighter, stronger, safer if it snaps, and easier to handle.
Unlocking Performance: Best Mods for Can-Am Outlander Power and Sound
Once your machine is protected and hooking up, it’s time to unleash some of that Rotax power. This section of our best mods for can am outlander guide is all about making your machine accelerate harder and sound meaner.
Clutch Kit: Putting Power to the Ground
This is arguably the most misunderstood performance mod. Adding a clutch kit doesn’t add horsepower; it allows your ATV to use its existing power more efficiently. This is especially crucial after installing larger, heavier tires.
A good clutch kit, like those from Dalton or EPI, will use different weights and springs in your CVT clutch to keep the engine in its optimal powerband. The result is much better acceleration, improved back-shifting, and reduced belt slippage and heat.
Exhaust & Fuel Tuner: More Growl, More Go
An aftermarket slip-on or full-system exhaust can reduce weight, improve throttle response, and give your Outlander a deep, aggressive tone. However, changing the way your engine breathes out requires changing how it breathes in.
Anytime you install an aftermarket exhaust, you must install a fuel tuner. The factory ECU is mapped for the restrictive stock exhaust. A tuner, like a Power Commander or an RJWC Fuel Controller, adjusts the air-fuel ratio, preventing a lean condition that can cause engine damage and ensuring you get the full performance benefits of your new pipe.
Air Intake: Let Your Engine Breathe
A high-flow air filter is an easy and inexpensive mod that can offer a small but noticeable improvement in throttle response. For those in deep water and mud, a full snorkel kit is essential. It raises the engine’s air intake and all critical vent lines, allowing you to go deeper without swamping your machine.
Comfort & Utility: Making Long Rides Better
Performance isn’t just about speed. These mods improve your control, visibility, and overall endurance on the trail, letting you ride longer and safer. These are key benefits of best mods for can am outlander that are often overlooked.
Upgraded Lighting: See and Be Seen
Stock ATV headlights have improved, but they can’t compete with the power of modern LEDs. An LED light bar mounted to the front rack or handlebars will turn night into day, dramatically improving safety and allowing you to extend your riding adventures after sunset.
Handlebars, Grips, and Risers: Dialing in Your Cockpit
Ergonomics are key to reducing rider fatigue. If you feel hunched over, a set of handlebar risers can provide a more comfortable, upright riding position. Aftermarket grips, like ODI Lock-On grips, can reduce vibration and improve your hold, especially in wet or muddy conditions.
Storage Solutions: Racks, Boxes, and Bags
Having a secure place to store your gear is a game-changer. Hard-sided, waterproof cargo boxes like those from LinQ, OGIO, or Pelican are perfect for keeping your tools, lunch, and extra layers safe and dry. They are a fantastic answer to how to best mods for can am outlander for utility.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Modding Practices
Being a responsible off-roader means protecting the trails we love. Integrating sustainable best mods for can am outlander practices is easier than you think.
Choose high-quality parts from reputable brands. A well-made exhaust or skid plate will last the life of your machine, reducing waste compared to cheap parts that break and need constant replacement.
When performing maintenance, always use a drain pan and dispose of used oil and coolant at a designated recycling facility. For a more eco-friendly best mods for can am outlander approach, consider exhausts with a USFS-approved spark arrestor and sound levels that respect wildlife and other trail users.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Mods for Can-Am Outlander
What is the very first mod I should do to my Outlander?
Tires. Without a doubt, a good set of tires matched to your primary terrain will provide the most significant and immediate improvement in performance and capability. It’s the foundation for everything else.
Do I need a fuel tuner if I only install a slip-on exhaust?
Yes. Even a slip-on exhaust changes the backpressure and airflow enough to lean out the factory fuel mixture. A fuel tuner is cheap insurance to protect your engine and get the power you’re paying for.
How do I choose the right tires for my Can-Am Outlander?
Be honest about where you ride 80% of the time. If it’s mostly hard-packed trails, an all-terrain tire is best. If it’s deep, sloppy mud, you’ll need an aggressive mud-specific tire. Look at ply ratings for durability—a 6-ply or 8-ply tire offers much better puncture resistance than a stock 4-ply.
Will installing these mods void my factory warranty?
This is a common concern. Legally (in the U.S., under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act), a manufacturer cannot void your entire warranty just because you installed an aftermarket part. They must prove that your specific modification directly caused the specific failure. However, some dealers may be more difficult than others, so it’s always a good idea to build a good relationship with your local service department.
There you have it—the FatBoysOffroad breakdown of the best mods for your Can-Am Outlander. Remember to start with protection and traction, then build from there based on your personal riding style. Take your time, do your research, and invest in quality parts.
Now get out there, get those hands dirty, and build the Outlander of your dreams. Stay safe and happy trails!
- Can-Am Outlander Years To Avoid – A Mechanic’S Guide To Buying Smart - November 30, 2025
- Polaris Sportsman 570 Vs Can Am Outlander 700 – The Ultimate Off-Road - November 30, 2025
- Can Am Outlander Fuel Pump Problems – Your Complete DIY Diagnostic & - November 30, 2025