Also, I was under the impression that the drive clutch was a roller clutch similar to the 300/ 400 HO units...several of the reviews I have read AND Polaris' own website claim a new roller clutch setup is used.
But on the Polaris parts page it lists the same old snowmobile clutch as all of the full size Sportsman...most of the clutch parts actually interchange!

What's up with that?! Not quite 99% all new as claimed!

 

The roller clutch they are referring to is the TEAM driven clutch that has been used on the twins for a few years now. It has a couple nylon rollers in it. It's a good clutch, it just hasn't been used on the 500's in the past. The RZR uses it, the 800, and i think the 700. It has a bolt-in helix with a compression spring rather than a clip-held helix with the torsional spring.

 

The Polaris parts page I looked at doesn't even have the 550 XP. I checked the 850 and under <u>usage</u> it only lists the 850 XP for both the primary and the secondary. http://parts.polarisind.com/Browse/Browse.asp

EDIT: One place says the 550 engine isn't sideways like the 850, and a couple other places say it is, so I guess it is. It seems like the people who review them could do a better job.

Frank

 

Yes, but check the parts usage and most of the clutch parts interchange...

 

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

Yes, but check the parts usage and most of the clutch parts interchange...</end quote></div>

I checked about 8 parts. The bolt that holds the secondary on is the same as the new Ranger 700. Some things like bearings and spacers are the same as some other models. But half of the parts I clicked on said it was just the 850 XP that used them. Maybe the clutches are half new. I dunno. Probably the usage thing isn't right. Sometimes when somebody asks what part will fit on let's say a '87 or '95 ATV, I look it up and the usage says 2004-2008 or something like that, but it's the same part #.

 

Another thing, on the 550 (and presumably the 850 also) due to the opposite rotation of the clutches, the primary clutch bolt is left hand threads.

 

I still think that the "roller clutch" refers to the Hawkeye type of clutch that has weighted rollers in the primary. Otherwise, how can they get 39 mph out of the current Sportsman clutch in L range?

The '06 Hawkeye I had only had a H range selection, and it would go to 50 mph on top and had loads of pulling power on bottom. What I think Polaris did was use the Hawkeye (roller) clutch with a L range that you could use ALL the time if you're just going to ride leisurly, or keep it in H if you're going to need to higher speeds. It would be great with the current system if you could shift between the two ranges without stopping. I think the new clutch and transmission will be the best of both worlds.

 

There is no starter clutch or roller weights in the primary.

I actually got my hands on an early production 550 this week for a few days and had it all apart. The primary clutch is the same one we've seen for years (P-90 or 85) on all the other full-size Sportsmans and Rangers. They are using a brand new style flyweight but the clutch housing itself is the same (in fact, the older 10 & 20 series weights bolt right in). They also have put a plastic speed-limiting spacer in there just like they have on the RZR.



The clutches on the 550 would bolt right on your 800 (although the spring/weight set up would be wrong)

 

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

They also have put a plastic speed-limiting spacer in there just like they have on the RZR.

</end quote></div>



What is the speed limiting spacer for? Limit top speed? If so can it be removed? Not that I ever go that fast, but I don't like any kind of limiter on a machine I pay this much money for. Unless it is a rev limiter to keep the motor from grenading. Besides I can't leave anything stock.


JF-the 550 is mounted just like the 850.

 

The plastic spacer is a speed limiting spacer. It restricts how far the drive clutch can shift out. The new RZR-S is supposed to be about 7 mph faster than the standard RZR and we're assuming that they are not coming with the spacer in the clutch to allow the additional speed.

Polaris does it as a safety precaution. In the world of RZR owners it is very common to pull that spacer (all you have to do it pull the outer cover off the primary clutch and take the spacer off the shaft) to gain additional speed. Personally I'm not sure it's a great idea. If you remove it and overshift the primary clutch, it's going to pull the belt down too far in the driven clutch so that it MAY hit the center drum and POTENTIALLY cause the belt to flip or at least damage it. I've left it in our RZR - it's fast enough for me. But I'd guess that the majority of the RZR owners take it out. I've also heard of guys taking it and cutting it down so it's narrower to gain some speed but not remove it completely.