I had a Stealth Black on order but when I got to the dealership today they had a green one fresh off the truck as well and I changed my mind and took the green one. I like the color and think that the shinier green paint may be harder. The stealth paint was pretty soft and tended to not adhere very well to the plastic. The green looks more like automotive paint with a clear coat. And this isn't the old school Polaris green! Anyway I haven't ridden it much,loaded on the trailer and unloaded it and drove it a few laps around the field and into the garage to install the winch and brush guards. So far this is what I think. Remember I came from an '08 800, so these observations will largely be a comparison to that. Alot of the improvements have been written about,I will try to cover stuff I haven't seen mentioned anywhere, although I may replicate some of it. Especially if I was very impressed,lol

Things I like:

1) Sounds SWEET...not like a Polaris at all but more like a crotch rocket. Also you can really feel the high compression when you shut it down. It doesn't wind down. BUMP BUMP and it stops. Same thing when it starts, BUMP BUMP and then it purrrrrs. The engine doesn't have that knocking,rattling upper cylinder sewing machine sound the 800 has.
2) Driveline is SUPER SMOOTH compared to the 800,no driveline slack is detectable. No flinching waiting for the "clunk" as you give it throttle.
3) If you have seen how the winch mounted on the 800's you will love how it mounts on the XP. On the 800(and others I'm sure) The mount bolts went in from the front(which places all the load on the threads) and screwed into the frame and they were self tapping into the wall of the frame(weakIMO). On the XP they come in from the sides(shear load on the entire diameter of the bolt) and screw into nut plates on the winch..much much stronger!
4) The fuse block is of alot higher quality and has a cover.
5)No hint of heat from the exhaust! If you've ridden an 800 you know what I mean.

Things I'm concerned about:

1)Minimal radiator protection. The plastic "expanded metal" shaped grill is all there is for protection.IMO that needs to be addressed with some sort of tighter metal screen. There is some space between the grill and the radiator,but it is still a concern IMO.
2) Stock tires aren't aggressive enough. I don't do alot of mud riding but I do cross one good area on the way to my deer stand and these tires worry me. I think they could have went a little more aggressive.

Like I said these are just things I noticed right off the bat,I haven't really even ridden it yet. I'll update this thread as I get some more time on the machine. I'll post some pics as well.
Overall I am really impressed and I can't stop smiling.

 

Congrats on the 850 XP! Looking forward to the updates on its performance and of course the pics!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]


biz
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Congrats on the Mean Green XP!
I have the same concern about the radiator. I'm going to have to figure out a way to put in a secondary Grill/screen to protect it better.
I haven't got many miles on my XP yet but I really like it so far!
I'll make due with the stock tires until next spring or early summer then get some new one's. I'm not sure what kind to get yet, any suggestions?
--------------------------
09 Stealth Black 850 XP
Glacier Plow
Hard front storage box on order (Backordered)
XP fender bag (just came in)

 

sweet
lets see some pics soon

 

Congratulations HighOctane, and GOOD color choice!!! I wish you the best of luck with it. I will be sure to address the radiator concern too.

I'm going to be riding all types of trails and want to be reassured that the radiator will be protected. Also how much was the winch?

IronBear [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

congradulations!!!! we need pics [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

i looked at the green when i picked mine up but the red was just calling to me [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] its like a metallic kinda green, very cool!

 

Congratulations!!!
I hope you install the winch first as the front bumper needs to come off, obviously, for the winch. I installed mine myself, took a few hours and several of these [img]i/expressions/beer.gif[/img] , LOL, and a little swearing of course!
Those tires are actually pretty descent, give them a try once the winch is installed. I crawled through a mudhole that was well past the footrests, in AWD, but the tires never slipped, much to my amazement. I went through it about as slow as I could in low range and it just chugged right through it.
That brushguard should help a little with the rad protection, but probably not enough. How do you like how you can access the rad from the side to clean it out with the hose after it gets packed with mud and dirt? We just need some pics now!!!
I, too, am curious to see pics of yours, rancher55, with that plow setup. Rest assured that tank will move a ton of snow with ease!! As for tires, I would love to get a set of Maxxis Zillas, I heard they are great for mud, and pretty good for trail as well, but I think that the stock ones should suit my needs at least for a little while.

 

Thanks eveyone! I'll get pics soon.
Tires-I'm thinking Bighorns or Terracrosses.
Opie-The winch actually went on alot easier than the one on the 800. I only needed 3 brews to finish it,lol

Adding to the list of things I like:
6) According to the owner's manual there is no need to push the reverse override to get 4x4 in reverse AND from the way I read it it IS NOT on demand in reverse, it is locked in all the time.
7) The underside of the fenders is smooth making it easy to clean. The 800 plastic was very rough under the fenders and held dirt.

Ok time to get pics and go ride,lol

BTW Ironbear the winch was $392,Polaris 3500#

 

Yes, yes, we all want and need pics!!!

 

Say it ain't so tires like the all the other quads come with (cheep) LOL

Congrats on the bike can't wait to see some pics of a green XP!