Almost forgot about this thread! Thanks for all the answers...and experiences. Does show that the folks who went with Polaris...really do enjoy there machine...which is really nice to see.

I started another thread...because I test drove the XP 850, SP 800, and SP 500. All good machines, but the XP did seem more refined.

I'm about 95% leaning towards the XP 850 in Sunset Red. Will add the front storage box, winch (see thread), rear rack extender, Deluxe Front and Rear Brushguards, and hand guards. Just for starters!!!

Any more info...is really appreciated!!!


biz

 

if fuel milage is an issue, then think about the 550 which im sure is way better. the big draw back of the big bore 800's+ is they like to drink thier fuel for sure and worse when you play hard.

 

I must not have any luck. I bought a new 08 800 about a month and a half ago and yet have i had any good luck with the machine. It has about 22 hours on it and about 90 miles or so on it and I have already had one tire sliced (my problem) but Manufacture problems such as the belt smoking and chirping, the tranny seems to rattle at about 30 to 35 mph and to put the cherry on top i went to go riding yesterday and did nothing but back my quad off my trailer, backed up about 10 feet and went forward about 2 feet when the front bolt came out of the A arm pushin the whole wheel out and snapping the cv shaft and bending the a arm mount on the frame all this going at turtle speed and only 2 feet. I am so disappointed as i have been taking good care of my atv and a friend of mine has beat his 850 xp and has had no problems as to yet. Whats up with the tranny rattle?

 

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

I must not have any luck. I bought a new 08 800 about a month and a half ago and yet have i had any good luck with the machine. It has about 22 hours on it and about 90 miles or so on it and I have already had one tire sliced (my problem) but Manufacture problems such as the belt smoking and chirping, the tranny seems to rattle at about 30 to 35 mph and to put the cherry on top i went to go riding yesterday and did nothing but back my quad off my trailer, backed up about 10 feet and went forward about 2 feet when the front bolt came out of the A arm pushin the whole wheel out and snapping the cv shaft and bending the a arm mount on the frame all this going at turtle speed and only 2 feet. I am so disappointed as i have been taking good care of my atv and a friend of mine has beat his 850 xp and has had no problems as to yet. Whats up with the tranny rattle?</end quote></div>


I'd say you have good luck..bad luck would have been having that bolt come out a 30 mph..
Don't think I have heard of a tranny rattling problem on the 08's? The only rattle on those that I have heard of it the exhaust heat shield on the right side could it be that?
If not..It isn't the imfamous driveline slack is it? The driveline can make some noise under low load but I haven't heard of it happening at speeds that high and it isn't reallu a rattle more of a light clunking noise..usually it happens at low speeds when you are in and out of the throttle easily just trying to maintain a speed. Does it happen when you are just cruising but go away if you accelerate?

 

Was also on the fence but bought the xp850 LE Nuclear Sunset yesterday. Can't wait to pick it up. 70 horsepower. That says it all.

 

Can't go wrong from opinions stated above; I have the '07 Poo 800 X2, bought new, over 2000 miles on it, had a slight problem when I thought I cleared a Rock, and actually didn't. In the end, I found out that I cracked the oil pan, right next to where the drain plug goes, figured I hit that, and the force made the crack. Long story short, yanked the motor out, had a great Aluminum welder, and motor back in, and so far trouble free, sure would like to see some bash plates for these units. Gas mileage? If you are worried about that, then you are in the wrong sport, toy's burn Gas, trucks do the same, and both go hand in hand.

 

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

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



I must not have any luck. I bought a new 08 800 about a month and a half ago and yet have i had any good luck with the machine. It has about 22 hours on it and about 90 miles or so on it and I have already had one tire sliced (my problem) but Manufacture problems such as the belt smoking and chirping, the tranny seems to rattle at about 30 to 35 mph and to put the cherry on top i went to go riding yesterday and did nothing but back my quad off my trailer, backed up about 10 feet and went forward about 2 feet when the front bolt came out of the A arm pushin the whole wheel out and snapping the cv shaft and bending the a arm mount on the frame all this going at turtle speed and only 2 feet. I am so disappointed as i have been taking good care of my atv and a friend of mine has beat his 850 xp and has had no problems as to yet. Whats up with the tranny rattle?</end quote></div>





I'd say you have good luck..bad luck would have been having that bolt come out a 30 mph..

Don't think I have heard of a tranny rattling problem on the 08's? The only rattle on those that I have heard of it the exhaust heat shield on the right side could it be that?

If not..It isn't the imfamous driveline slack is it? The driveline can make some noise under low load but I haven't heard of it happening at speeds that high and it isn't reallu a rattle more of a light clunking noise..usually it happens at low speeds when you are in and out of the throttle easily just trying to maintain a speed. Does it happen when you are just cruising but go away if you accelerate?</end quote></div>

i think you'll find the trany rattle is becuase the drain plug is rubbing on the internal chain because the plug is too long. i took mine out my 08' 800 and had to grind it down so it would stop rubbing. here is a pic of the plug and if you notice on the left side of it you will see were it wore it away.

 

well since the forum is screwed up again!! and wont let me edit my post, here is a picutre(if it works this time) of the drain plug. this will wear the chain eventually

 

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

Gas mileage on the 850's is similar to the 800's - 15-17 mpg depending on what you're riding in/on. Polaris would do well to find some space to put in more gas tank. The only real beef we have with our XPs is that Polaris hasn't really dialed in the fuel mapping yet. I've had some stalling & backfiring issues with mine - similar to what others have have. The first ride out MrsBMQ's XP performed flawlessly. Then, we had them both in for misc service. They updated the programs on both quads. Mine improved as far as stalling & backfiring - much less now. MrsBMQ's got worse! The both run about the same now, but I wish the dealer had NOT updated the program on her quad.</end quote></div>


For the backfiring issues, all I did was adjust the throttle cable (per your owners manual) and that should take care of that.

As for the gas mileage, the best I've gotten was 62 miles per tank, but that could be because it was still breaking in. I just have a hair under 150 miles, and performed the first service a few weeks ago, so I'm going to see how it does on the next ride.

I still have yet to meet you and your wife.

Pete

 

Hi out there, this is my first time on the forum, so I thought I would check out the lastest comments on the 800 and 850 XP issues. Between my wife and I, we have owned 11 Polaris ATV's, the latest being my new 850XP power steering, Limited Edition in Nuclear Sunset. The ATV I just sold to buy this one was a 2008 Sportsman 800, and previously I was riding a 2005 800.

I had a problem with the Vehicle Speed sensor on day 1. It appears that the Polaris folks over torqued a bolt that holds the sensor to the tranny case, so when the shop guys went to remove it, the bolt broke off. Luckily, they tapped it out and replaced the sensor. That is the bad news.

The good news is, I love the new XP!!! It is by far the smoothest riding, best handling Sportsman ever. The power steering is perfect. The new suspension is better than ever, which I didn't think could be improved much.

I have only been through one tank of fuel, so I expect the mileage to be about the same as the 800 was, which was about 70-75 miles on the 4 gallons. ADC is perfect on both machines, although I could make the 08 800 free wheel, which I could not do to the 2005 800. The biggest improvement I see between the two is the drive train. Gone is the clunky transmission from the 800, which for the record, never did fail, just made noise. I like the new hand grips, the new location of the fuel cap, did I mention the power steering????
If you haven't tried this machine, do so ASAP. Although I am into the new ride over $10k, I am impressed. I will watch for the backfire/stall. The motor does have a different sound(like a Harley?) and takes some getting used to.

Popobear
09 850 XP EPS LE
06 500 Sportsman LE
05 Predator TLE
03 Raptor 660[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]