I have already posted this in the Polaris forums, but I decided to post here as well. I have a Sportsman X2 500HO with 26" PXT's on steel wheels. I am looking to upgrade to 27 or 28" Mudlite XTRs on ITP SS alloys (14"). Since I don't have the 800, will I feel a large power loss going with the 27 or 28? I prefer the height of the 28, but don't know about low end power loss. Any advice and tips are welcome. Thanks!

unfortunatly 27" is as tall as you'll be able to go with an XTR. unless they have come out with one, and not updated their web site.

i put a set of 26 XTR's on one of my vinson's.......i didn't notice a great loss in low end, i can still start out in 2nd no problem, and they ride great, perform great too!

i then jumped from the 26 XTR's to a set of 28 OutLaws on my Vinson (wife got the XTR's), THEN i did notice a low end loss, BUT the Vinson's 1st gear takes off great with the 28's, and i also have to option of LOW range when in mud holes, and climing.

if you inflate the XTR's they will "poof" up an extra 3/4" or so. so if you were to get 27's, and put alittle extra air in them, they would measure almost 28"! alot of people try this and it works good, rides rough, and might not make as wide of a foot print, BUT they gain just alittle extra gound clearance. it's BEST recomended, instead of putting more air in a tire, to get a larger size tire, but in some brands they don't have the large sizes.

just me experience and $.02

Going to big always causes issues. How big can you go without a lift. Then will you have enough power in sucking mud. I've been in mud so thick that I couldn't even turn my tires in low first. I added a K&N power filter which did help, but if I get back into the same kind of hole I'm not sure. But so far I've been okay. I run my tires between 3-4 pounds so it's not to rough and has a bit better traction.