I agree HO, The shifter needs to be updated. My rubicons shifter would be a better fit style wise. I do however like the popo's P-R-N-L-H better than hon's R-N-H-L. 2 positions between R and L sucks when plowing. I worried that after a few years of commercial snow removal there won't be any gate left it will just be a slush box. I still have that mower you eluded to, its a 1983 Snapper with a 12.5 HP horizontally opposed twin. It's deck height adjustment is in the exact same position as the popos shifter. It has true dual exhaust and if you pull the choke out just enough and give it some throttle it sounds like a Harley!! I have not used it for anything productive in years. I think I kept it just cause of the cool sounding exhaust!!

 

Yep the XP is great!!
I think it will save Polaris from losing alot of customers. I probably would have bought an Outy or renegade this year if it wasn't for the XP.
The first thing I noticed when I rode the XP was that it felt smaller and lighter than my 800, even though its not. The steering was much lighter and clutch was smoother. Overall it is a totally different critter than the older models.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: rancher55

The 850 XP is the BEST quad on the market. The other manufactures will have to do some serious catching up to compete with the overall quality of the XP line.



That is a pretty bold statement! IMO I think my Grizz is a better overall machine than any Polaris I have owned or ridden but I would never be so biased to say so.

Everyone who owns a certain machine will say theres is better than someone elses but because one machine works for you does not mean it will work for someone else! My best advice is try riding a few differant brands and go with the one that works for you! All machines accomplish the same thing getting you from point A to point B there is just differant designs and ways of accomplishing that goal!

 

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

2) the long shifter arm and the stiff non precise shifing with no real shift pattern reminds me of something that should be on a mower to raise and lower the deck. </end quote></div>

LOL... I like that one. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Amen to that! I too have a Griz and I ride in extreme conditions and I have yet to see a situation that I believe the 850 will best mine. I will say that ANY quad with EPS is going to be better than those without. After having it I would never consider not having it. It truly makes the day more enjoyable. Imagine having a new truck without power steering, it is the same thing.

 

Cody-Have you ridden an 850XP?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DODGE57HEMI

IMO I think my Grizz is a better overall machine than any Polaris I have owned or ridden but I would never be so biased to say so.

</end quote></div>

LOL... you just did!

Seriously, I've had the pleasure to ride an 850 EPS and a 550 Grizz EPS... they both are great quads... just different. I bet the new 750 KQ with EPS will be in the same category.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DODGE57HEMI

That is a pretty bold statement! IMO I think my Grizz is a better overall machine than any Polaris I have owned or ridden but I would never be so biased to say so.


</end quote></div>

Well the topic WAS Polaris 800 vs 850..but here we go as usual..Dodge no one even mentioned the Grizz..one guy says the 850 is the best machine going and you have to defend your choice to buy a Grizz...lol..
I'm glad you love it but comparing it to an XP the majority of riders would prefer the XP...read around,guys from brands are moving to the XP..I'll tell you I am not brand loyal..if I need a new machine and another company has something that clearly trumps the XP.that will be my new ride..

 

Cody - I think you need to ride the XP with & without PS. After 2 years on the Griz I got rid of the '05 Popo & bought the 850 - non EPS. I didn't have a chance to ride an EPS model as they were 6-8 weeks away & I couldn't wait. Then, a couple weeks ago I let MrsBMQ ride the XP - BIG MISTAKE!!! Now we have 2! Before we bought hers, we both test drove a 550 with EPS. We both HATED it - even though we both love the PS on the Griz. As DavidXP posted above - if felt like there was too much assistance & absolutly no feedback from the ground.
Anyways, the XP without PS is damn close to the Griz with PS. The Griz is easier, but not by much. If you are someone who does a significant amount of tight techincal stuff, the PS may be a better choice.

 

I have bolth a Brute force and Can-Am 800 I spent a small fortune setting these bikes up. I sold my 2007 polaris 800 and bought a 2009 850 xp, its by far the best atv I have riden and I've owned a few. I will be honset I had a hard time believing Polaris made it. I ride WV and have for over 10 years now, we ride hard for long distances. The Polaris Xp took me on a 220 mile ride on the second day I had it, we left at 8am and returned at 10pm I was tired but not beat, my knees still worked and my back was fine. One more note, I keep hearing gripes about the tires and I was the only one in the group with no flats or rim bends.

Ride long, Ride hard