Doesn't sound too bad... and the 850 is a better choice. I would get an extended warranty.

 

the 850 and 550 have same stator output 550 has to idle higher because it a single cylinder and the 850 being a twin cylinder the 850 has the abilty to keep the crankshaft turning at a lower idle speed.on the 850 the cylinders firing 270 degrees apart can keep the motor runing at a lower idle speed.Being a MSD certfied polaris tech i work on these machines and can honestly say the 550 and 850 are very reliable machines.

 

Sorry, don't buy it again. My 500 was a single cylinder and idled fine at 1150 RPM's when it was warm. At 1700 RPM's, the clutch/belt was very close to engaging. Polaris needs to give you a better explanation of why the 550's vibrate, shake, and idle so high. No wonder they make so many clunk sounds when they engage, and when you stop the quad.

 

I own one and ride it regularly in summer and winter. If the roller clutch is cold, you'll get clunk if you hit it. However, if you warm the clutch and belt up a bit in park, then shift, you won't hear much of anything.

Not sure what you're talking about with all the "clatter, click and what have you" My '09 850 has been a great riding machine....super smooth and fast. Great size machine for tracks and winter plowing. Wouldn't trade it for anything out there today.......Especially a 500 Suzi. I'm sure you like your new bike though. Good luck with it.

 

500 and 550 are completely different motors and drive trains are completely different all so really cant compare the two and be fair about it.

 

DCT - If you don't like the polaris and prefer your Suzuki (lol), too each his own. I wouldn't trade my 850XP for your machine if you gave me $4k!!!! I've owned a couple Polaris' in the past and this 850XP is a better ride than anything out there. I love the fact that when plowing or towing the ice shanty I can use low gear up to 39 mph. The only other machine I would even compare it to would be the Kawasaki 750 Brute Force which is comparable - except for ride quality.

Sorry you got a lemon - but, there is a reason you still chat on the Polaris site... Maybe you work for Suzuki, maybe your angry ??? But, I'm extremely happy with the 850XP - can't speak in a positive or negative on the 550XP as I haven't driven one...Jeff

 

Ya know what, I never mentioned Suzuki in this thread (and I don't work for them). I talked about my experience with 850's and 550's that I have rode. I doubt you had any experience with the new Suzuki King Quads with EPS.

Don't worry, I wouldn't trade you even up.. I would trade up for a 750 King with EPS or an Qutty 650/800 XT with DPS.

I wanted a smooth, trouble free quad... I'm pretty sure that's what I have now. Everyone has there own acceptable "standards". I just set mine higher. I can tell which quad has a higher quality build.

 

LOL!

Sorry, that just struck me funny, with, well, being, you, anyways.........

 

The 850XP has been the best atv that I have ever owned. It does everything I ask of it...and does it with ease. I typically ride mountain and desert trails...and even without the EPS option...I do not get tired riding. The power is amazing...and the 4x4 (AWD) system works GREAT!

That is a pretty fair price! I would ask them to throw in an extended warranty...and see if they bite.

Good luck!

biz

 

I don't own a 550Xp, but I do own a new 550X2 (same engine). Yes, the thing sounds like a clunky lawnmower at idle....but when on the trail it sounds just fine. It reminds me of the way a Subaru engines sounds....kind of unrefined and chattering. But perhaps it will last just as well too....who knows. For the Polaris technician to say that the 850 and the 550 are 'reliable' engines? Well, that's a tad premature at this point. Give it about two to three more years of use and then we'll talk.