<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: polarisman600

I wish I could get one of the new ones. I wonder if eventually all of the sportsmans will look like the new XP's.</end quote></div>

My bet is that all depends on the market. I think releaseing them as "XP's" and keeping the older style in the line up is a smart move. That way they can gauge consumer approval without putting all their eggs in a new basket. If the demand for XP's causes the sales of the older styles to dwindle then I would imagine eventually all sportsmans will be "XP"s.
I'll admit at first the looks turned me off. The only thing that attracted me was EPS. One member kind of picked on me for wanting EPS. I agree EPS isn't NEEDED, but in my case after riding for 15 minutes I am miserable the rest of the day due to a shoulder injury. Hopefully after my surgery that will improve, but just in case it doesn't I'm going for the EPS. The looks are growing on me though, especially after seeing it on video. I also like the winch being mounted lower. The current location is not optimal for pulling logs(which I do quite often clearing trails on the private property I ride.) or anything low to the ground for that matter. If you are winching from smaller trees you need to winch from the base, so the same problem would present itself. The winch mounted high pulls the front end down excessively. On the flip side if you like fording deep water that might present a problem, submerging the winch.

 

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

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: polarisman600



I wish I could get one of the new ones. I wonder if eventually all of the sportsmans will look like the new XP's.</end quote></div>



My bet is that all depends on the market. I think releaseing them as "XP's" and keeping the older style in the line up is a smart move. That way they can gauge consumer approval without putting all their eggs in a new basket. If the demand for XP's causes the sales of the older styles to dwindle then I would imagine eventually all sportsmans will be "XP"s.

I'll admit at first the looks turned me off. The only thing that attracted me was EPS. One member kind of picked on me for wanting EPS. I agree EPS isn't NEEDED, but in my case after riding for 15 minutes I am miserable the rest of the day due to a shoulder injury. Hopefully after my surgery that will improve, but just in case it doesn't I'm going for the EPS. The looks are growing on me though, especially after seeing it on video. I also like the winch being mounted lower. The current location is not optimal for pulling logs(which I do quite often clearing trails on the private property I ride.) or anything low to the ground for that matter. If you are winching from smaller trees you need to winch from the base, so the same problem would present itself. The winch mounted high pulls the front end down excessively. On the flip side if you like fording deep water that might present a problem, submerging the winch.</end quote></div>



If I'd get a new one I'd get one with EPS too. Even though I think you don't really need it, but I like having all the bells and whistles. If I were you I definately get it because of having shoulder problems. It could make everything a lot easier.

 

No one should knock power steering until they've tried it. I rode a Grizzly 700 with PS and loved it. Steering the thing around was like an afterthought rather than a chore.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: sheepdogMSP8117

No one should knock power steering until they've tried it. I rode a Grizzly 700 with PS and loved it. Steering the thing around was like an afterthought rather than a chore.</end quote></div>

You know how it is some people have to act like they are hard and manly. "I don't need no powersteering, that's for girls".
I like to think I am pretty manly and I am a US Marine but I'm all about some powersteering.
lol
I ride alot of slower technical trails and use the machine around my property and think the PS would be sweet, make riding seem alot less like work. On larger faster trails it isn't an issue obviously. My machines average speed is 5mph if you divide the miles by hours.

 

If EPS will me help me NOT get the handlebar torn from my grip when I hit a stump that's hiding in the bushes, then I want it too. I also ride a lot of tight, technical trails. I just thought that since the XP's steering is already supposed to easier than the other Sportsmans, EPS isn't necessary. I think it's a nice option and I would probably like it, but I don't NEED it, and I'm certainly not macho. I never did play those macho games about being tough. I'm a wimp and I know it. I'm not picking on anyone who WANTS EPS, but I think as long as you have two arms and two hands you don't absolutely <u>need</u> it. I may be wrong because both of my shoulders are constantly geting worse and I might really need EPS some day.

 

Congrats on you getting your new XP!! I put a deposit down also on a stealth black 850 XP, but without EPS. With your shoulder injury and uncoming surgery, you will most definately benefit from the power steering. I, myself, don't absolutely need it, I would love to have the power steering, but it is a $700 option that I don't have to have.
When does your dealer expect to have yours in?? Mine told me by November but he hoped a little sooner. Sooo excited!!!

 

Thanks. The head guy at the dealer was at training and the guy I talked to had been told end of August, he hadn't heard anything about the EPS units not shipping with the non-eps as the rumor has it. So if yours is Non-EPS it should ship by the end of Aug. supposedly.