Got money for xmas I saw a 09 Polaris 800 that I want what bare the pros and cons about them thanks for the help hopeefully I will get it this week >

 

Well you will see this forum boast more of the PROS to be honest and thats b/c
its a great machine! Speaking for personal experience..8-)

But if ya can take a demo ride, many dealers won't offer that but some do. Judge for yourself. Compare all the options to the price and affordability. I would think this is a good time of year and maybe the last year for the 2009 non-XP Sportsman (Don't take my word for it, just a guess). Please compare to the new XP's models, you started at a good place for research!

I can only speak of the 2008 but assume that there is NOT much differences.
Awesome power great for utility, loading and hauling. Good trail machine in lots of different terrain. You can run the bigger mud tires and plows etc. (not to say other Sportsman models don't). Very smoothe ride, handles large rider weight good (me, lol), Very upgradable w/r to performance parts, tires, custom projects. L&R accessories are awesome, highly recommend the rear cargo box with back rest. Climbs gradual hill inclines effortlessly! THE BEST for hill decents, with its ADC and EBS. That is what sold me, I like the safety factor on that! AWD is great! Even with the stock tires I have got thru some pretty thick and deep stuff (water, mud etc.).

Some cons, is its heavy machine (but not necessarily always a disadvantage), lil jumpy throttle, learn to master feathering the throttle before hitting the advanced trails (mountains, steep hills and rock). EATS GAS at a higher rate compared to other models. Many complained of heat issues with past models, since 2008 they improved (Added heat shields etc.) that, don't suspect you would see a problem with 2009?

Do searches on improving Sportsmans here, many applications for SP450, 500 and 700 can apply to the 800 (I.E. front spring sag issue). Hope this little info. helps? Let the others chime in I am sure I missed a thing or two! All the BEST on your future purchase!

Regards,

R'

 

No cons with my 09 800HO! Yeah they're heavy and not as ***** as the XP(which just had a HUGE recall) but with some mods to suit your personal taste it is a rock solid, bulletproof machine. Been snowing HEAVY here for the last two days and my neighbors & the folks that drive by are in absolute awe at how much snow I can move. Keep it maintained and it will take all you can throw at it.

 

how about the belts getting wet any problems there ? thanks for all the info I am had yamIll be getting a polaris .Ive got a yamaha grizzley but I like the looks of the polaris thanks for all the info

 

Not really any issues with the belt getting wet. If you ride thru deep stuff there is a drain to allow water out of the belt housing. but many will tell ya that from stock theirs is pretty water tight, at least mine has been. Added to proper usage with gearing (low for slow rides under 15mph and towing, water and mud) and slip into neutral or park when stopped at idle all these PM measures well help great any premature wear on the belt!

Cheers,

R'

 

Those Honda guys like to bag on the wet belt thing, but the snokel for the motor is as high as the cvt snorkel on SP 800's... If you've ingested water into the cvt, you've drowned the engine too. I'm on my second Polaris Sportsman, and never had a wet belt.. and i've been over the front rack in mud and water with the 500HO. I have had wet belt several times on my Kawi. I ended up installing a bulkhead fitting with a drain on it to remedy the CVT cover on the Prairie.

 

water belt issue


i don't think so

 

Fordfanzz, just curious, what model Yamaha do you have and why are you leaving Yamaha? I was possibly looking toward a Grizzly 700 eps for my next machine. Are you unhappy with reliability. I have an 07 800 now, which has been a good machine, just lookin for something not quite has heavy.

Thank's.

 

I ve had belt issues with my grizz i have broke 2 belts so far plus i just was looking at something new

 

If you break a belt you're out a few bucks. Break one of those hondamatic transmissions and you're out a ton of money. And they seem to break far too often from what I've witnessed personally. It isn't a huge deal if it is still under warranty but if it is out of warranty it is extremely expensive. I know of one sitting right now because the owner can't afford to replace the tranny that broke. Second tranny that has been in it.

I love the idea of a sealed auto tranny with no belts but the ones out now don't seem to have any sort of durability.