Hi. I am thinking of getting a Grizzly 550. I was just wondering if any issues has popped up with this machine. My other choice is the Polaris 550xp but it is heavier than the Grizzly. This is my first 4 wheeler. I hope the 550 won't be too much for me.

 

I purchased my 550 Grizzly about 5 weeks ago. I did a lot of research before buying it. This machine is excellent. The fuel injection is great with no choking nor lag on cold startups. If you decided to buy the EPS model you are going to be amazed. It works very, very well and makes the machine very easy to handle. Power is good for a machine this size and the Yamaha auto tranny, 4 wheel disk brakes, rock solid 4 wheel drive system and dependabilty is what won me over. The ride is also a very strong point for this machine. I think you would be very happy with this purchase. I am sure the Polaris have their strong points but the Grizzly is a better machine.

 

You better love power steering on those mid size 550 because 750 KQ and 700 Grizzly without power steering cost the same or cheaper.

 

The Grizzly 550 with EPS is approximately $800 cheaper than the similarly equipped 700 and is identical except for the engine displacement. Reviews have said the difference in performance is negligible. I drove the 700 and can attest to this. My train of thought is that the 550 would offer a little better fuel milage. I know from a power perspective the 550 holds its own with any of them. As for the EPS, I was a sceptic until I actually drove the machine. This feature is phenominal and I doubt I will ever own another machine without it.

Jim

 

Polaris 850______69.06 hp
Can Am 800 R____67.05 hp (updated 2/13 to 70.5 hp)
AC 1000_________65.84 hp
Can Am 800______61.7 hp
Can Am 650______55.4 hp
Brute 750 Carb____50.1 hp
Brute 750 EFI_____49.8 hp
King Quad 750____49.6 hp
AC Mud Pro_______49.06 hp
King 700_________48.5 hp
Polaris 800_______48.3 hp
Brute 650 I________46.3 hp
Grizzly 700________45.6 hp
Polaris 700_______44.3 hp
AC 700 H1_______41.4 hp
AC 700__________41.4 hp
Brute 650 ________41.4 hp (solid axle)
Grizzly 660_______40.9 hp
Can Am 500______40.4 hp
AC 650 H1_______39.3 hp
Rincon 680_______38.5 hp
Grizzly 550________36.9 Hp

10 hp if far from negligible even the discontinued 660 has a 10% power advantage. They both use the same 4-stroke single, 4-valve SOHC but the 550 has a smaller 40 mm throtle bady efi while the 700 has a larger 44mm + its 128cc advantage.

There are people who spend $1000 on pipes,jet kits.clutch kits just to get a 5 hp increase.

The only thing negligible between the two is there price.
2009 Yamaha Grizzly 550 FI Auto. 4x4 EPS ATVs

 

Well the proof is in the riding, I rode both and as I stated there is little difference. Most all the reviews I have read have stated the 550 is much similar to the 700. The only noticble differene was in the low end with the 550's top end showing much the same.
Anyway I am getting too old to get into a dead end discussion over HP, drive the machines and judge for yourself.

Jim

 

I agree when I was looking at a new 4x4 I test rode them all and you can see what I ended up with, anyway I did test ride the 550 and the power was amazing for a 550 very similar to the 700 just without the low end punch. The 550 is almost identical engine as the 700 just destoked with a different head to give the 550 better top end performance.

The ONLY reason I went with the 700 over the 550 is that I ride at high altitudes (12-14000ft) and you need every cc you can get! If were not for the altitude I would deff be riding a 550 over the 700. The 700.00 savings between the 550 and the 700 might not sound like much but it is at least a good couple years of gas, getting your quad to some very nice riding destinations! Good luck with your purchase and deff go with the YEPS you wont regret it!

 

I think you should get the new grizzly 660. I have one, have had no problems!

 

Go grab a copy of the june issue of Dirt Wheels, they had a 500-550 class shoot out in it and the 550 yammy got the top spot. Lots of good info in it about all the ones compared.....DOG

 

Just got my 550 about 3 weeks ago just amazing all the weight is centered great broad power best atv hands down.