Hello, great forum you guys got here - glad to join....

I'm in the process of buying 2 Polaris quads.

We are both inexperienced riders but are involved with every other outdoorsy activity you can think of and have ridden smaller quads at one point or another, just never full sized. We are going to be trail riding mostly -

I'm looking at a 550xp for my wife and either another 550 or the 850xp for myself. I am wondering if the 550 is going to be too much bike for my wife.....if I should go to the 400HO midsize instead?? Is the 550xp a far superior machine than the 400HO?

Is the 850 going to be extreme overkill for myself if I've never been on a fullsize? I have to admit its tempting for about $1k more, and it is within the budget....


Thanks for any suggestions!

 

....well I have no experience with the XP line I do own 2 500 HO sportsmans, one is EFI and the other a carb. My wife rides the 06 EFI and loves it, but if you were looking at the 550xp with power steering that would be fine for your wife because that is my only wife's complaint at the end of the day is her arms are tired from steering lol. I ride a 2002 500 HO and I am a very big guy and it takes me any where i want to go. I am no speed demon so I guess if you want to go 60+ mph get the 850 lol. All we do is trail ride, I never use them for work or plow so have no valid opinion on that end. I would think a 550 xp would be big enough for both but one of each would also be nice as you can never have too much power to get going lol. My vote is for a 550 and a 850!!!.....btw my wife never rode any quad before and she loves the fulls size.....=)

 

I bought a 850 and it's my first quad. I love it. Just take the time to get to know it so to speak. sometimes the extra horse power comes in handy in quick situations and out of trouble. Having one of each would be nice too. That’s definitely what I would do If my wife wanted one too.

 

The 550 is fine for the wife. My wife rides a 500HO and she does fine. I have ridden both and the 550 steers easier than the 500 so it is a better choice. The key is to train her on the operation of the machine. Start slow and work up to difficult terrain. These Polaris machines will climb anything and go through about anything but it takes practice and training for a new ATV rider to gain the skills. You can bust your but if you do not know how to ride. The 550 or the 500 HO are great choices.

I currently own an 04 and an 05 sportsman 500. Previously I owned an 01 and 02 sportsman and prior to that a 1997 trail boss.

 

My wife and I are both new to ATV's. She handles her 550 very well and finds the XP extremely comfortable. IMO the 550 is a perfect all around machine so the 850 decision is a matter of preference. If you like the feeling of HP and torque the 850 is awesome!!! If that doesn't float your boat you can't go wrong with the 550.

 

My wife does fine with a 500 efi so I think the 550 is a good choice. If your girl is like mine she'll really surprise you with her ability....
When we first started riding together I worried about her but now I just worry about keeping up lol!!

 

I also have a 850 for myself and absoultey love it. It has awesome power and even mine is non EPS and is very easy to steer and I never get tired at the end of the day. I am also 26 too. When it came to the wife getting one she thought my 850 was too much power so we went with the 550 non eps for her. She has ridin it 2x and loves the ride and doesnt get tired and believe it or not it does very well in the mud I was surprised myself. I think the 550 is perfect for beginners or the ladies.

Oh by the way I have the 550 for sale too. I pmed you the link to it check it out and give me a call anytime save yourself some cash.

 

The XP platform is easier to ride than the old Sportsman platform. My 100lb 5 foot-4 inch wife thinks so. The Hawkeye/mid size Sportsman 400 HO is pretty good, I've driven a one, but they are limited by tire size, and lack of low range. So it kinda depends on what kind of riding y'all are going to be doing.