hello everyone, im wondering what to do. im debating of getting the 850 xp or the 550 xp or should i wait for next year for the new models. i got a 01 sp500 and im looking for a new machine. More power is always good but is the 850 harder on parts then the 550. With my sp500 i blew 2 belts already, i think cause it wasnt powerful enough for the stuff i was doing, like climbing hills when trail riding. I didnt feel like stopping to switched gear so i left in in high gear. I find my 500 was not geared properly so thats why i was blewing belts and thats why i would consider the 850 would be better for me . do u guys think that polaris would have a better model next year cause these are the first year models. any help would be appreciated.

merry xmas to all

 

i highly doubt anything will be that new next year...go for the 850.

 

The 850 XP may get a few minor refinments in next years model but nothing major IMO. Polaris did a good job on this first year model. If you are waiting for a new and improved model you may have a long wait ahead of you! IMO go ahead and make the best deal you can now.

On the other hand if they came out with a 850 version of the X2 That would be something else to concider!LOL![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

it indeed would. but it would hurt the pocketbook too

 

thanks guys,

rancher does your sp850 make wheelies on high gear while sitting down on it or do u need to put it in low. i seen before on this forum that you need to be easy on the trottle cause it lifts easy

 

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

thanks guys,



rancher does your sp850 make wheelies on high gear while sitting down on it or do u need to put it in low. i seen before on this forum that you need to be easy on the trottle cause it lifts easy</end quote></div>

You can keep the front down fairly easily while accelleratig hard by just leaning forward..99% of the time it isn't going to just stand up unless you are trying to stand it up IMO. Say maybe nail it from a dead stop with good traction or you are leaning back....bottomline it isn't uncontrollable power for an experienced rider.
Mine has only tried to lift the front maybe twice when I wasn't trying. Both times I was coming out of a sharp turn and getting down on it hard,I was riding it like a sport machine...as fast in and out of the corners as I could. It came up slow and predictable..let out then ease back in,no problems.

What you have to watch is trying to do wheelies...when trying to do wheelies it can get away from you quick..I don't know if it is the center of gravity, the rear suspension or clutching/engine set up but it wheelies different than any machine I've riden before. It either doesn't come up at all or it comes up FAST and hard.

 

I don't think that the 850 Xp is overly light in the front end. I don't generally try to do wheelies on it. I do think it has a very strong motor and if you wanted to bring the front end up you could! It is an 800+ pound machine and with me on it, it's close to 1000 lbs. If I can't go through it, around it, or crawl over it, then I havn't got any business being there! I definetly don't want to do a wheel stand and come down on the center of the frame on a log or a rock with that much weight!
It may be able to handle it for a while but I don't treat my quad like that! I have too much money invested in it for that![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
And besides I'm well over 50 yrs. old and don't need to be hot dogin it like that anymore!LOL![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

thanks again guys, its very appreciated, im 29 and im getting to old for wheelies lol. i just didnt want a quad that when u press on the gaz it pops a wheelie

 

Hey fredb, I do a fair amount of climbing hills while out riding and havent had any belt problems at all. How many miles have you put on your belts before trashing them. Maybe you have an alignment problem or something that causeing you to wear your belts out. Have yet to ride an XP but love both my 500 and 800 and they both climb well. The 800 seems like it would come up if you hit a large bump while climbing the hill giving it a lot of throttle but I highly doubt it's gonna roll you over.

 

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

hello everyone, im wondering what to do. im debating of getting the 850 xp or the 550 xp or should i wait for next year for the new models. i got a 01 sp500 and im looking for a new machine. More power is always good but is the 850 harder on parts then the 550. With my sp500 i blew 2 belts already, i think cause it wasnt powerful enough for the stuff i was doing, like climbing hills when trail riding. I didnt feel like stopping to switched gear so i left in in high gear. I find my 500 was not geared properly so thats why i was blewing belts and thats why i would consider the 850 would be better for me . do u guys think that polaris would have a better model next year cause these are the first year models. any help would be appreciated.



merry xmas to all</end quote></div>

It won't hurt to wait. That will give Polaris time to get any bugs out (if there are any). Plus, sooner or later, there will be additions to the XP line.

I'm also finding it difficult to wait... but I will. I would like to see a slightly smaller XP... 650/700 twin.