There is no starter clutch on the xp's. Polaris is referring to the driven clutch when they say "New Roller Clutch". It's the driven clutch similar to what the twins have had in recent years made by TEAM (Rapid Reaction) which has a couple nylon rollers in it.

The clutch assemblies are basically the same as they always have been - although since they are located on the back side of the engine (facing out the back of the machine) and in a vertical configuration (primary on bottom, driven on top) they actually rotate in the opposite direction from all previous Sportsmans. Rather than the primary pulling the belt from the top, it pulls from the bottom. The only major thing it affects is that the helix angles are cut the opposite direction from previously.

 

The 550 doesn't have the engine mounted side to side like the 850. Since it's a single it's narrow enough to be mounted front to back in the new frame.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jumbofrank

The 550 doesn't have the engine mounted side to side like the 850. Since it's a single it's narrow enough to be mounted front to back in the new frame.</end quote></div>

Actually the 850 Engine is mounted front to back, referring to the crank position.
But I know what you mean.

 

That makes sense on the 550 being mounted normally since it's a single and narrow enough. They have it covered pretty well so you'd have to dig to check it out. All I remember seeing is the oil filler on the left side and the exhaust running down the right.

Although...... now that i think about it...... the crank stub shaft is coming right out the back so the motor has to be sideways (crank running front to back).

Am I missing something here with that logic? I should have pulled those side covers off and looked.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: HIGHOCTANE

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jumbofrank



The 550 doesn't have the engine mounted side to side like the 850. Since it's a single it's narrow enough to be mounted front to back in the new frame.</end quote></div>



Actually the 850 Engine is mounted front to back, referring to the crank position.

But I know what you mean.</end quote></div>

Geez, that's right HO. It's lengthwise which only <u>seems</u> sideways because I'm not used to it. The clutches go sideways though, right? BTW I read another review that says the 550 is sideways (oops, lengthwise) too. Some of the people who write the reviews are kind of dumb. They don't even know which way it is but they're telling us anyway. There's more misinformation than real information so far.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jumbofrank

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: HIGHOCTANE



<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jumbofrank







The 550 doesn't have the engine mounted side to side like the 850. Since it's a single it's narrow enough to be mounted front to back in the new frame.</end quote></div>







Actually the 850 Engine is mounted front to back, referring to the crank position.



But I know what you mean.</end quote></div>



Geez, that's right HO. It's lengthwise which only <u>seems</u> sideways because I'm not used to it. The clutches go sideways though, right? BTW I read another review that says the 550 is sideways (oops, lengthwise) too. Some of the people who write the reviews are kind of dumb. They don't even know which way it is but they're telling us anyway. There's more misinformation than real information so far.</end quote></div>

The front to rear crank configuration is more like a normal truck/auto and should be alot more efficient and stronger than the old configuration due to less angle changes in the driveline/tranny. The crank is now in the same oreintation as the drive/prop shafts. I can't imagine that they mounted the 550 any different than the 850, because even though the 550 is a slimmer single they would still have to hang the clutches/tranny off the side. Which would not be any narrower than the old 500. I just looked at the 360* view of the 550 and it looks to be set up identical to the 850, tranny/clutches mounted rear of the engine.

Edit-Further confirmation, I just found on the Polaris website where it says the 550 is longitudinally mounted.

 

Any time you transfer power at a 90 angle you're losing energy. I think Honda started turning their engines longitudinally for that reason years ago. I never see Hondas anywhere so I don't know, but I seem to remember reading an ad about it. These stupid websites where they test-ride and review the ATVs is where I got the incorrect information about the 550 not being turned the same way as the 850, but everyone else says it is. One place even said the 550 was a twin, not a single. When the Polaris site showed a picture of the 850 when you click on 550 that really screwed things up. I'm glad we finally know what's up.

 

I hear you. Who knows..maybe we know...maybe not. Can't even trust the Polaris site 100%. Time will tell.