I went from a '97 sportsman 500 to a '09 550XP and it's a huge diffenence in power, steering, fit and finish, & it's way more comfortable. My family also has another '97 500, a '99 500, two '05 500's, two '07 500X2's, and one more '09 XP550. All of these have been great machines and we do big group rides near big bends a lot. The 2 XP's shine compared to the older ones since a lot of the trials are really rough.

My main goal when I bought my XP is to get as much fuel mileage out of my tank as I could, which is why I didn't go with a 850 or EPS. I have gear and equipment on the front and rear racks so I didn't want to have to carry extra fuel. My XP has been very good to me and I treat her well so I don't regret it at all!

The whole 550 vs the 850 thing is based more on what you use it for and bragging rights than the NEED for it. In my situation a 550 is all I NEED but sure a 850 would be fun. I ride for extended time usually all day, so for me it's like either driving a 500hp car vs a 1000hp car across the country, I think the 500hp car would be the right pick for me

Oh and I think the stock tires do suck, I have to use 4wd when the X2's are in turf mode when decent aftermarket tires

 

2008 500EFI has the pull start.
2009 500EFI does NOT have the pull start

Cost savings measure I guess! LOL!

 

That is the regular sportsman not the 550XP right? Or did you mean to say the 2009 550XP and the 2010 models?

 

500 is the old Sportsman.

I didn't notice Popo deleted the recoil back-up starter on my quad until I was washing it for the first time. And I'm quite disappointed they dropped it for the last-year 500EFI.

As for the NEW Sportsman 550/850 models I don't believe they were ever offered with the pull start nor do I think it would work bc the engine is sideways.

 

I just bought a 2010 (maybe it was 09 - theres no 2010s on the Polaris website so now Im not sure) 550xp but I dont pick it up til Tuesday so they can install the winch and plow. I think Im more excited about this than I was when I bought my 2010 Camaro! Ive only ever rode in the desert out in Vegas (I live in the Poconos, Pa), but I figured my plow truck sits there all year (except when Im plowing with it), why not get something I can plow with and have fun with all year round. I'm really psyched about this. Just turned 40, and this is my first - better late than never! Great site, btw.

 

tba,

The only thing I can say is that nothing replaces that feeling of excitement when you get your new Toy! In fact, I had to repeat that cycle, well 3 times now and may even do it again in 2010, lol...lol..Its like CRACK man!

Seriously enjoy your new toy, you will be happy (BTW, I am 38 and never had things like this as a kid, so I am making up for lost time, lol...lol)

Cheers,

R'

 

Power steering is the one thing I missed the mark on my sportsman 500. The steering is heavy.
It's not bad and you don't notice it if you have two hands available. I have two kids who like to ride on front, and it it terrible to steer with one arm. Plus, if you have a kid on it you are going slow, which only makes it worse.

I haven't ever driven an ATV with PS, but I would bet my next ATV is going to have it.

 

Okay so what machine would handle hills better a 550XP or 850XP? For those who know from owning both or have ridden both.

And if one handles better than the other what can the other one
do to compensate?

Thx,

R'

 

Well the only real difference is the motor so I would say they are about the same. I can see the 850 would have the more power when you hit the throttle but in my eyes a 550 can do any hill a 850 is doing. I feel if you get into a spot on hills where you would need a 850 over the 550 you really don't know how to ride a atv. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a 850 EPS to play with but I need all the fuel mileage I can get so my choice was a 550

 

Three different people have commented about my earlier statement of power steering being a waste of money. First of all it is "my opinion" which was stated initially. Only one person (Jethrob, thank you) actually seemed to of read my whole statement and that is; its my opinion if your running tracks or have some sort of shoulder injury then it would be nice to have this option. Of course if your riding with kids with one hand then sure whatever. I'm just saying that for trail riding the XP is already very easy to steer and a lot easier than the older sportsman models that had strut suspension. The XP models front suspension and steering have been redesigned sorry guys you can't argue that point as it is a fact.
If you think you need power steering and you have the extra money then purchase it, but for the general rider I stand behind my opinion that it is not needed. My own 8 year old daughter rides my XP she is 55lbs and slim. She has no problem riding my bike at slow speeds and turning the wheels.