This is one area that I have no knowledge about.

Quad is an 09 550XP EPS with stock size tires and no performance mods.
Main use is slow trail riding and on tracks in winter. Never see's the high size of 30 mph and avg speed would be between 4-15 mph.

Idles at 1640/1680 rpm and clutch engages @2350-2400 rpm.

Clutch engagement is rough (surprised?) Dealer suggests changing the weights to engage earlier. Says other 550's like the results.

What is the downside of this change? What should I expect from this change. Will the belt drag at idle or wear more ?

 

not sure about the 550, bt that seems like a high idle to me. the 800 was around 1150 and can't belave that, that bike should be much more. by putting lighter weights in or a weaker spring the clutch would engauge earlier and shouldn't effect the belt. really don't know why stock would be that way.

 

Seems high alright but thats right on spec wise. Polaris told me that is because the 550 has a cam that produces the power a little higher up the rpm range, hence the higher idle.

 

When we first got the new 550 and 850,I was surprised at the high idle of these machines and the "rough' gear engagement.When we uncrated the "first" one and fired it up I thought "This ain't right"! Even called Polaris on the first one!!(we didn't have a chance in 09 to preview the new models first)But even after make ready on all the others the idle was about the same. But when I drove the first 550 and then the monster 850, I was impressed with the torque and speed. As far a clutching,this is your area fellas! OPT

 

ya i haven't even seen a new bike for 3 years so i'm lost on them lol

as far as the weight change mongrol, it will engauge the clutch earlier as they mentioned(may around 2000 to 2100 rpm's guessing) depending on the weights they use and if there willing to play w/ it a little to fine tune it for you. the down side is that being it's already idling higher, there won't be much touch of the throttle to move and maybe(i'm not sure as i haven't seen one) it might make take off smoother, but i'm wondering if by design it needs that enagugement it has to give the correct amount of belt pressure to avoid belt slippage. best i can help you with. good luck

 

call EPI, chad will give you the info, We put lighter weights in my 850 when it was new, cause of the altitude I live and ride at, a buddy of mine sworks at the local dealership and said thats what they were doin to them, basiclly still the same as the older ones, can change weights . springs for what you want lighter wieghts = quicker engagements lighter primary springs = lower rpm engagement heaier = higher