Gonna step up and go with the big bore...the 800 has always been strong..the new 850 is crazy HP...but had talked to a mech. and he said that since they truned the motor sideways in the 850 to replace the belt is a REAL pain in the neck..he charges 200 bucks to do it...I Mud ride and water ride..so that makes me afraid of the 850...Because I will clutch it out...and run 29.5 or 30's with a lift....what it the real power differance anyone know??

 

I've opened my belt case twice. It's not that hard. I bitched about it the first time, but the second was piece of cake. Never pay 200 bucks for such a thing. You figure it out the first time, then move right through the second. Easy.

 

The power difference between the 800 and 850 is about 55 hp. vs 70 hp. If my memory serves me right. Can anyone else confirm this?

 

There is a very noticable power difference. The 850 is advertised at 70hp and the 800 are around mid 50's like readymixer said.

I have done many clutches on the new XP's both 550/850 and 2009 and 2010 models and the older style sportmans. The new ones arent that much harder, just takes a few more patiences the first time. Either way not worth paying 200. Time was it will take a few minutes longer on an XP compared to the older sportsmans so price shouldn't be much higher from shops.

 

The HP difference is noticeable, the belt access is about the same. However the overall difference between an 800 and an 850 is substantial. Go with the XP.

 

Okay quit rubbing it in our faces! Remember you need the support from the current 800 club members on here.

Do you think if I take off my boots and put on my tennis shoes I might get 20 more HP?

j/k

R'

 

you might lol.

 

Best bet is to ride both and decide which one best fits your needs. Was faced with the same decision last year and went with another trusty 800(still happy) but the next one will probably be an XP!

 

Stendori you forgot the DALTON spring maybe my tennis shoes will give me .5 more HP! lol..lol

R'

 

Running those big tires, I hope you will be running in low range quite a bit. In that case, you are definitely better off with the XP because the low range allows up to around 40mph.

The 800 is snorkelled a little better in stock form though than the XP's.