Man I'm really getting impatient already...LOL where is my machine? Is there a way that I can look on the internet myself? The dealer said he has a ship date of 12/5 (from Polaris) so hopefully shortly after my machine will come in. So, the most important things to do first is to plastic tie the rear brake lines so that they are not dangling, detail the plastic so that it stays nice and from the sound of it, save up for some tires and winch. Tell me if I'm missing any important details [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Thanks guys.

IronBear

 

Hi All,

New to the forum, it looks like an active very informed group with LOTS of expertise! I was a long time 2 wheel rider and raced enduro's for many years but never had an ATV so I am green as could be with these. I have been looking at some Polaris ATV's trying to figure out what makes sense for me. I plan on some local putting around as space is now limited in my Boston suburban town but plan on riding with my wife, friends or teenage boys in Western Ma and Northern New England. I ruled out a 2up machine for me as I really don't want to compromise and I "think" my wife will be capable of mild trail riding. I think I decided on an 850 XP Stealth Black with goodies for me even though I would like to see if the Red is a matte finish or gloss, if matte I will consider that, the green also looks terrific. For my wife at first I thought the Sportsman 500 HO would be fine and I am sure it would be more than adequate but I plan on having these for some time and used by my wife and boys so I am considering spending the extra ching for the 550XP to get the narrower saddle, efi and a nicer looking package with the alloys. Going to test drive and maybe negotiate a package this Saturday and maybe decide next week and purchase.

I don't want to offend any women members of this forum but I would like to ask if a woman of small stature will be comfortable driving an ATV on mild terrain? Also should I consider EPS for my wife?

Thanks

Ruggo

 

Ruggo-The red isn't matte. It is like the green.
Even without EPS the XP's steer easier that previous sportsmans. My wife is 5'0 and she rides the 850 with no problems and loves the narrower seat of the XP. With that said she is experienced on ATVs(more that me actually,lol)
IMO the 550 would be better that the 500 HO,again easier to steer and a narrower seat. The only downfall,if she is inexperienced,would be more power. But the 500HO has plenty enough power to hurt someone.
I think your wife would be fine on a 550 on mild trails, but I do suggest proper training(Polaris will pay for it) if she is inexperienced,that goes for male or female. We have a member here whose spouse flipped her Hawkeye on one of there first rides after getting the machine. IMO the trail was mild by most Riders standards and best I remember she was not hotdogging. That's not a poke at her,that just goes to show it can happen. Luckily she wasn't hurt.
I think training,experience and maturity level have more to do with whether or not an adult will be ok on xyz machine than the persons size,especially with the easy steering and narrow seat of the XP's.
Finally I think the best idea is to go put her on one and have her test ride it,again with some prior instruction if inexperienced.


I hate to keep beating on the training thing but I have seen and heard of too many people that thought "how hard can it be" who end up getting hurt.
I have a friend that does ATV operator training for the military and even alot of people who think they know what they are doing really do not. They don't even know what a K-turn is but claim to have ridden ATVs "for years"

 

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

Man I'm really getting impatient already...LOL where is my machine? Is there a way that I can look on the internet myself? The dealer said he has a ship date of 12/5 (from Polaris) so hopefully shortly after my machine will come in. So, the most important things to do first is to plastic tie the rear brake lines so that they are not dangling, detail the plastic so that it stays nice and from the sound of it, save up for some tires and winch. Tell me if I'm missing any important details [IMG][/IMG]



Thanks guys.



IronBear</end quote></div>

No way to look it up that I am aware of unless you have the dealers log in info,lol.
My dealer just told me he shows an EPS coming in on the 27th of Nov.
Sounds like you have it covered. Other things to maybe consider are brush guards and storage. I'd say depending on where you ride the tires can really wait if you ride mostly dry trails. If I didn't have to cross a pretty muddy area to go to my deer stand I would still be running the stock tires. The winch is a must IMO...it will be there to bail you out if the tires fail you. Also depending on how far you are from a dealer maybe pick up a couple oil change kits while you are there. I'm 1 1/2 hours from my dealer. Alot of guys go away from the polaris oil, and I will only in a pinch. If I can get the Polaris stuff I do.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>
No way to look it up that I am aware of unless you have the dealers log in info,lol.

My dealer just told me he shows an EPS coming in on the 27th of Nov.

Sounds like you have it covered. Other things to maybe consider are brush guards and storage. I'd say depending on where you ride the tires can really wait if you ride mostly dry trails. If I didn't have to cross a pretty muddy area to go to my deer stand I would still be running the stock tires. The winch is a must IMO...it will be there to bail you out if the tires fail you. Also depending on how far you are from a dealer maybe pick up a couple oil change kits while you are there. I'm 1 1/2 hours from my dealer. Alot of guys go away from the polaris oil, and I will only in a pinch. If I can get the Polaris stuff I do.</end quote></div>

I'm in the process of getting my storage area ready for the new beast so that has been occupying some of my time, and being patient.

To be honest with you, I'm not really sure how the trails are up in New Hampshire yet, but from what I understand, it's like a mixed bag so I will see how the tires hold up.

I'm getting both front and rear deluxe brush guards for a real good price and I'd like to buy a nice soft bag for the front rack, and purchase one of the back rest extenders so you could ride two people on the machine, in case my better half would like to join me [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] And I will be sure to purchase extra oil change kits at the time of delivery. I get 10% off parts and accessories so that should help aid on the price. I'm going to still try and negotiate some of the cost on the winch, but I need to see how my cash flow is first.

 

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

Man I'm really getting impatient already...LOL where is my machine? Is there a way that I can look on the internet myself? The dealer said he has a ship date of 12/5 (from Polaris) so hopefully shortly after my machine will come in. So, the most important things to do first is to plastic tie the rear brake lines so that they are not dangling, detail the plastic so that it stays nice and from the sound of it, save up for some tires and winch. Tell me if I'm missing any important details [img][/img]



Thanks guys.



IronBear</end quote></div>

If you don't already have one pick up a stinger and trailer hitch ball, you never know when you are going to want to drag or tow something or someone!

 

Iron bear-I had a backrest extender on my 800,I really liked it. It's not really intended for 2 up use but it works ok for that. Also you can adjust it forward and it makes long cruises more comfortable.
Just a heads up,check regs where you will be riding,I know in NC 2up has to be on a machined designed specifically for 2 passengers. It is only really enforced on public trails where it can result in a ticket. Although it really covers anywhere in the state,even private property.

Rancher-Good suggestion,another must have IMO.

 

Highoctane thanks for the reply. Very good advice on the training and a point that I totally overlooked. That will be time well spent. All of these machines are more than capable of putting a hurt on your so I think training will be in order.

I could see the difference in ease of steering with the XP's. Being new to all this I am curious how the EPS is viewed and if I should still consider it for my wife. Like most things in life is there a tradeoff for the convenience? With another mechanical system I guess failure would be one.

thanks again!

 

If you don't mind spending the extra money and possibly waiting to get one(haven't heard of any dealers having EPS units yet,although should be soon)
I would probably get the EPS. Do I think she would NEED it,most likely not. But would it be NICE...yes.
One thing to think about is if you get her the EPS and yours non-EPS you may end up wishing you would have gotten the EPS for you as well,lol. That is why I will not even go try the EPS out when my dealer gets one. I'm happy with the non-EPS,why tease myself.
I went to the XP mainly for it's lighter steering due to a chronic shoulder injury. I originally ordered EPS but when I tried the non-EPS I was amazed and decided to pocket the extra money. So far it has been great. I am 6 weeks post surgery and can ride as long as I like with no ill effects.
Like you said another thing to break,but I would hope Polaris is smart enough to make it so the machine isn't too hard to steer with it inop. I would imagine they would have to for safety. Some designs can make a machine more dangerous if the gain isn't reduced at speed,Polaris' is reported to reduce the gain as speed increases so thats good.
Again I would have her ride one and you also so you can see how it rides and reacts,especially at a moderate speed. I'd say at least get it up to 20-30 mph and see how it steers. Even with gain reduction at speed I might have a small concern for an inexperienced rider over correcting at speed. Then again an inexperienced rider might be less likely to do that than one experienced on a manual steer machine but would likely reconize it faster and have more chance of recovering. Alot of variables,best to ride em and see before making a final choice.

 

HIGHOCTANE,

I really have to stop looking at your XP... LOL LOL

Anyhow, not that you haven't spent enough money already, I think a set of PIAA lights (510 ATP) would look awesome hung below the top part of your brush guard... provided they don't block a lot of air flow.

Link...

http://www.piaa.com/Powersports/lamps.html