hey highoctane how many times are u going to edit ur posts? and i did get the front end thing, thats POWER not handling..

 

To each their own.

The 500 doesn't compare to the 850. Might be just fine for some, but it's still not comparable.

The 850 might be the best atv ever built, but you may never know.

The original poster specifically asked about the 550 and 850. Most will say the 850 is a better machine, but also more money. The post really isn't about what you will spend or what you will do with a machine.

 

I've got a Sportsman 500 and just purchased a 2010 850XP EPS. I can say without a doubt, riding the 850 is the most fun I've ever had on a utility quad - at least ten times the fun factor of the 500. I'm not knocking the 500 as it has always been a great unit, but the 850 is just so much nicer in all aspects.....ride, handling, power, etc, etc.

 

I really wouldn't compared the 500 and the 850. I wouldn't even compare the 800 and 850 with a white glove (so to speak). The XP is superior to the SP. I'd say for fair comparison sake stick to the 550 and 850. Unless I missed something and they put a 550 and a 500 both in a XP.

My 2 cents. No point in arguing about it much. The ones that cant just afford to pick up the 850 will dig into it more than the ones that can. I use to wonder why anyone would ever bother spending more than like 2k for a ATV. You're bombing through mud and over logs anyway. Then I had the chance to pick up my 08, and NOW I know why people will do it.

Lets say you made another, i dunno, 50k a year. Still would spring to buy the 550 just because you don't "need" the 850? If you ask me, if your gonna spend the money on something, get the highest end model you can or is available. This is a loose statement of course.

If you can afford the 850, and can convince yourself of a couple reason's to get it, then do it! If you want to go a little faster, want a little meaner sound, or even just want to see a larger number on the side. No matter what little reason you can think of then it's good enough reason to get if you ask me :>

 

yeah so lets all stop arguing. me personally, ive had over 2 dozen quads in my lid=fe so far, and iver learned if u have paitience, u can get 2 great used quads for the price of one. the 250x, quadzilla, and banshee in my sig put together still cost a couple grand less then a 850! i just dont see it... i spent 7k OUT THE DOOR on a brand new 2009fz6 street bike, and thats a licensed vehicle. does anybody see my reaoning here? im not saying the new xps arent better, but i have seen a few mixed reviews and i'll reserve my own judgement till i ride one. it would still never be worth 2 grand over my 500, id bet on that *for me*

 

I saw post 39, and included 4 different motors for comparison. Wasn't really comparing apples to apples in any way except displacement and hp. Two of them are sportbikes, two are cruisers, the XP a sporty (for 800lbs) utility quad. I'm aware.
I don't think most riders need 70 HP.. Honestly most can do with a 400 to 500. I said "ride em all and get what you like best and can afford" Did you read the end of my post??
As opinions go, your as bad as reconranger, and I don't buy his brand of BS either.

PS: I used all 70 HP my 850 puts out today.. a 500 wouldn't have gone there.

 

o now im "BS" w/e dude. i have 3 quads paid for that i have just as much fun on each one as u do on ur overriced 850. u talk like power is everything, well good for u. howd u use all 70hp today? on the interstate were u? what about stop arguing dont u get? u gotta sit here and try to justify ur hyundai priced quad

 

Wow!
I knew you were hot headed and ignorant.....didn't know you ran the forums too. When you say stop, we must stop! When can we go again.

Face it "dude", you are wrong.

I can get a couple mountain bikes to do what your quads do, it would just be slower.........Does that make any sense???

Until you ride one, your opinion is squat.

 

o yeah mountain bikes, good one yeah im hot headed, look at ur own post. heres hoping u fall off a roof u biased fool and u land in a pile of money... o wait u spent it all on that 800lb quad! i thought the 500 was heavy... u do what and say w/e justifies ur stupid purchase. and here i come back to this forum hoping for mature discussions, but i was wrong. if i get booted i could care less

 

Thanks, already fell off a roof a few years ago. Broke my back and my leg in multiple spots.
You may not make it to 30 posts, the way you are going.

BTW, I'm not biased. I've owned many different brands of atv's.