2010 550 X2 review
Feb 15, 2010 | 04:40 PM
#11
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Well, golly JimBob!
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Feb 15, 2010 | 07:49 PM
#12
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Baxter MN
I know the diffrance in size, I am more curious about how well it handles whith just the driver and no passanger. I have never ridden one before but feel like it would be a good buy if I liked it and it hndles like my XP
Feb 15, 2010 | 08:39 PM
#13
Trailblazer
Joined: Nov 2003
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Being that I've not ridden an XP, my opinion is rather pointless....but.....from other ATV's I've ridden I would say that the 550X2 that I have is a tad light in the front end. Adding a winch would help, but that would be silly to do just for weight. On a recent ride in very tight uphill climbs I noticed the occasional lack of front wheel 'bite' around corners and such. On the level and downhill it was very good. Next week I plan on having a passenger on back so I expect that uphill effect to be more pronounced. We'll see.
Feb 16, 2010 | 07:51 AM
#14
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I've been on 2002-2004 Sportsmans and the X2 is a stiffer ride than the regular Sportsmans. I added the HD front springs and it is even better in the front. Doesn't wallow like it did. I don't know about a light feeling in the front end. Maybe they moved things around for the XP version X2. When I have a load of either a person or a bunch of firewood it doesn't effect it too much.
Feb 16, 2010 | 06:05 PM
#15
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Trailblazer
Joined: Nov 2008
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SageBoy,
I too own a new 550 X2. Have you noticed it being a tad 'light' in the front on trails? And what is your opinion of the engine sound at idle? I like mine so far but did have an issue with an engine light (resolved for now). How does your ADC sound? I noticed that mine is a bit loud but the dealer says it's normal. Are you running the advised tire pressures (7psi front, 5 back)?
I'll be riding mine in a week or so again with a passenger on the back. I'll post how it does being that it's a very twisty trail with lots of obstacles.
I too own a new 550 X2. Have you noticed it being a tad 'light' in the front on trails? And what is your opinion of the engine sound at idle? I like mine so far but did have an issue with an engine light (resolved for now). How does your ADC sound? I noticed that mine is a bit loud but the dealer says it's normal. Are you running the advised tire pressures (7psi front, 5 back)?
I'll be riding mine in a week or so again with a passenger on the back. I'll post how it does being that it's a very twisty trail with lots of obstacles.
The engine sound at idle sounds a little louder then the 08. Meaner even. RPM wise it's running 100-200 higher then the 08. Maybe because it's a 550?? Or on it's side?? Don't know.
Tire pressures are at the advised. I haven't used the ADC yet so I can't comment on that.
One thing I noticed riding with a passenger is the driver appears to sit lower on the 2010 so the passenger feels like they are higher then on the 2008. At least that's what the wife says when she sat on the back and when you put both machines side by side you can even see the difference. On both machines I didn't even realize there was somebody on the back which was nice.
Feb 16, 2010 | 07:26 PM
#17
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Good point Moose. I don't ride the 850 non-X2 version very often in low, but it is nice at times, for sure.
Feb 16, 2010 | 07:48 PM
#18
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The Claremont, NH trails we ride on are filled with technical spots. Rocky hillsides, mud/waterholes, steeeeeep hills, etc. The long wheelbase is nice but putting it in and out of low and high gets old sometimes.
Feb 17, 2010 | 11:52 AM
#19
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Albuquerque
Greetings everyone,
The other day I picked up my 3rd ATV within the last 3 years. Ya I know...I got issues. It was a 2010 550 X2 and all I can say is WOW!! Well not all but you know what I mean. Compared to my 2008 500 X2 there is huge difference. For one the steering is so much easier. I thought it was just me but when the wife and the brother in law tried it out and agreed I knew then it wasn't just me. It rides much better which I thought would be hard to beat the ride of the other X2 but it does. Having said that I feel like I sit lower on the 2010. The fit and finish is much better. The 2008 500 that I traded in and the 2008 X2 to me are rattle traps. There are so many vibrations on the 2008 models that it was my only beef with the 2008's. The pod is a heck of a lot better then the 2008. To me there is more information which is what I like.
To be fair there are a couple of things that could be improved. One is the shifter. Seems very fragile. The other thing is from what I was told there is no rear bumper available?? Not sure if that's true or not but the dealer has a call into Polaris to confirm.
All in all very happy. The last 2 days we have been breaking it in out on the lake. I'm actually thinking about trading my other X2 in for another 2010. The sickeness continues!! Is there a place to seek help for this disease?
The other day I picked up my 3rd ATV within the last 3 years. Ya I know...I got issues. It was a 2010 550 X2 and all I can say is WOW!! Well not all but you know what I mean. Compared to my 2008 500 X2 there is huge difference. For one the steering is so much easier. I thought it was just me but when the wife and the brother in law tried it out and agreed I knew then it wasn't just me. It rides much better which I thought would be hard to beat the ride of the other X2 but it does. Having said that I feel like I sit lower on the 2010. The fit and finish is much better. The 2008 500 that I traded in and the 2008 X2 to me are rattle traps. There are so many vibrations on the 2008 models that it was my only beef with the 2008's. The pod is a heck of a lot better then the 2008. To me there is more information which is what I like.
To be fair there are a couple of things that could be improved. One is the shifter. Seems very fragile. The other thing is from what I was told there is no rear bumper available?? Not sure if that's true or not but the dealer has a call into Polaris to confirm.
All in all very happy. The last 2 days we have been breaking it in out on the lake. I'm actually thinking about trading my other X2 in for another 2010. The sickeness continues!! Is there a place to seek help for this disease?
biz
Feb 17, 2010 | 02:13 PM
#20
Trailblazer
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Got to agree about the high/low changing frequency. It does get a bit old. I don't want to wear my belt so I follow the advice of many and use low range when in technical stuff and slower hill climbs. Sometimes though it is just easier to leave it in high for most of my rides. When I have to slow down to a crawl on many corners and tight spots.... I pop it in low. I am surprised at how little I actually need it in 4x4 mode though. It's great to have and I wouldn't want to ever be without it....but 99% of my riding, even though rough, can be done in 2x4 mode.