Recently bought 2 new Sportsman 550 EPS. The engines seem to run rough when cold and generally just don't seem to run as smooth as my old 2002 500 and 2004 400. I understand that these are a fairly new design, so wondering about the reliabilty. They also "whistle" at low RPM, but it goes away as RPM increases. Since they both run about the same, is it normal or do I have problems with both machines?

Just changed oil for the first time on both machines. Bought a filter wrench from the dealer, but it was too small to remove the factory installed filters. Bought another filter wrench and successfully changed oil on first machine. Tried to remove filter on second machine and it was different from first machine. Back to auto parts store to buy a third filter wrench. I also noticed that one machine had a bolted on skid plate and the other had a welded on skid plate beneath the engine.
The welded on skid plate had less clearance between the skid plate and the motor plus it had an extra plate welded on below the oil filter. The bolt on skid plate had greater clearance between the motor and the skid plate. Apparently there must have been issues with damage to the oil filters, hence a design change.

Based on the inconsistencies in the design and the way these things run, I am thinking about buying the extended warranty.

I have owned Polaris ATVs and Snowmobiles for 40+ years and never had a serious problem. I love the way these machines ride and love the power steering. But I am a little nervous on the reliability. Anybody have any experiences to share.

 

Well my limited experience i bought a new '10 550EPS in 12/10 i only have 80 or so hrs on her and only last week had the first problem although it was my fault. I let it idle way too long and it overheated and went into some sort of protect mode is what my dealer said and now i cant ride it until i take it there for them to reset something. However i have an 06 800 sportsman and there's noticeable difference in the sound of the 2 bikes. i like the 550 its noisy but has been a great bike. I do alot of trail and mud riding, sometimes hard riding. I have listened to other 550s at the place where we go and they all sound right about the same to me.

And mine is welded on the bottom and i buy the same brand oil filter so it fits my wrench from auto parts store.

Good luck with the new toys, hope they work well for a long time.

 

my 09 has about 550 of trouble free, but noisy, hours. Luv the machine.

 

You probably caught an updated one on the two different skid plates. Polaris was good about this as were other manufacturers about changing up models mid year or when some defect/possible future problem was found and immediately changed them on the assembly line, and not telling anyone,even the dealers.

 

It should be able to idle until it's out of gas.

 

I agree but apparently it didn't get that memo. Kind of ridiculous it happened to what I consider a new bike, hope the dealer has some insight as to why

 

as he said as long as the fan is working and has the correct amount of coolant it should have not over heated unless there is a restriction in the radiator.

 

Well after we go to a place called The Redneck Yacht club for a weekend of hard and long term mud riding I spend hours on each bike taking the wheels off and exposing both sides of radiators and I even use a flash light on the backside as I'm looking thru to make sure they are clean. I know how caked a Polaris radiator can be under the fan shroud I've dealt with that on my 800 and since relocated it, never had fluid drip or an overheat on this bike so I'm not sure why it did this. And I only put in maybe about 2-3 cups of fluid after. Either way won't know until the tech looks at it. I don't want to hijack this thread anymore but once I find out what and why I will post a new tread for others to read.

 

I have 4600 trouble free miles on my 2012 550 eps.

 

I remember a person on this site that bought one of the first XP550s and put 9000 miles on it in just two years!

Snosnake sounds on track for that as well.