Do they have the huge clutch covers like most other polaris models?Also how is the ergoes?How does the dual a-arm suspension compare to the old macpherson struts?If possible could I get two side view pics of it,each side please.If you guys don't have any pics thats fine it does'nt really matter.
Thanks-Mark

 

I'm no ergonomics expert but I think it is set up well,very comfortable to ride and it feels easy to use body english. Even though it probably isn't doing a whole lot as I only weight 160 and it is heavy as heck,mine weights 890 with the 212's,XTRs,winch,ATV_GURU brush guards and 2/5 tank of fuel!! Of course I have added a good 100#s to it. But It doesn't feel heavy when riding it,but when you need to push it the weight becomes apparent.

Plenty of room for the feet to find your position,I always felt like I couldn't get my feet far enough forward on the 800,not a problem on the XP. Also the narrow seat up front is real nice,slide forward in the rough stuff and you can move around,slide back on the wide part for comfort when cruising. Best of both worlds. Like I said I'm not an expert if you have a specific question I'll do my best to answer it.

The front suspension soaks up rough stuff alot better IMO,climbing over obstacles it is alot easier to handle and is smoother. I can cross small logs 8" in diameter wihtout really slowing from my normal 3-4mph trail speed and without getting off the seat and it isn't uncomfortable or harsh. This due to the improved suspension dampening and it's "anti-kick back" design. The result is vastly decreased steering effort,both owe themselves to to double a-arm set up....Reduced steering effort and the lack of wrist breaking kick back are probably the noticable differences!
With the stock offset wheels steering effort is AMAZINGLY light and kick back is non-exsistent. I will say with the wider offset 212's steering effort andd kick back are naturally increased some,but still no where near that of a stock 08 800 for instance.

When you get one front tire on an obstace the machine tends to stay level,as the tire basically can come straight up,where on the strut front end it would want to push away from the obstacle at the angle of the strut. Make sense?
Another bonus is they made the front adjustable,just like the rear. That is very nice,especially when adding more offset to the wheels. Click it up a notch or 2 to conteract the added leverage. Or adjust it for your riding style or situation.
One area I think the strut design may have been better is higher speed cornering,If I had to guess I'd say it is becuse of the camber change during compression with the strut design,in anycase it seemed to corner a little better. The XP wants to push...some of it may be the stock tires, I haven't tried any hard cornering on the XTRs.

Here is a pic of the cluthes,gives you and idea of the size of the cover. Believe it or not the cover comes out very easily thanks to a removable frame section.

 

Sorry these are the best side shots I have.

 

Thanks HO.How about the ergoes and the dual a-arm suspension?

 

I edited my first post and added my opinion on those.

 

scrambler,

As always, HO gave you some great information... I'll add just one small note. I was fortunate enough to take an XP for a short ride at my dealer. The first thing that caught my attention was how much easier the bike steered compared to my 500... and it DIDN'T have the EPS. I'm sure that's attributed to all the changes make on the XP... the new suspension... the new center of gravity... and probably some other stuff.

If "ergonomics" is one of your main concerns... the XP is the quad you want. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] If you get a chance to take one for a test ride... you'll see.

EDIT: Actually, I re-read HO's post, and he did mention the above. I should have know he wouldn't miss any details. LOL LOL

 

Dave you probably missed it because I wrote it in a hurry and man what a mess,lol...
I cleaned it up a little..but I'm not a English major as you may have guessed,lol.

 

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

Dave you probably missed it because I wrote it in a hurry and man what a mess,lol...

I cleaned it up a little..but I'm not a English major as you may have guessed,lol.</end quote></div>

It was fine HO... I just have to learn to READ EVERYTHING... bad habit of mine. Although, I must admit, reading it now, it is even better now. LOL A little "whitespace" always helps. (I hated English class too LOL)

Anyhow, whatever the case, I don't think anyone can argue that the ergos of the XP set the bar for all other quads. I know that 5 minute ride I had will save me about $600 - $700 (or whatever the cost of EPS is). It just steers so much easier than my quad, and I won't need the EPS... unless of course they have one in the color I want when I'm ready. LOL LOL LOL

 

Are the 550's the same size?

 

yes...same physical size..almost identical with a very few exceptions...of course the 550 motor is lighter