I own an '03 500SP as well as my '10 850XP and all my riding is on the eastern slopes of the Rockies. So far, I can honestly say that the 850 is easier to ride in all situations. IMHO, the power delivery is very smooth and predictable. I've gone up numerous STEEP hills with the 850 that I would not have attempted with the 500. It will climb with very light throttle input, but if you need more, the power is always there. A person just has to learn how to manage the power properly. I've been a mountain sledder for a number of years now and can say without reservation that the highest-powered sleds I've owned have all been much easier to ride than a lower powered unit. Especially on very technical steep climbs through the trees. You can always back out of the throttle a little when needed, but it makes a nasty climb easier knowing you've got the power on hand if required.

 

As I said,"There are hills & then there are hills". This puppy will travel your suspension to the max.

 

R....If you are really concerned and need to get up a certain section you could carry a 50lb sack of sand (play sand) on the rear for normal riding, then move it to the front rack prior to heading up a steep hill. When you reach the top, move it back to the rear rack to descend. Would be a lot easier than de-tuning the bike. Any type of easy to move and strap down weight would work.

I'm sure you're mindful of your weight distribution and the need to stand up and lean into the hill as you ascend.....If you're sitting on your butt while going up, you're just asking for trouble. You've said yourself, you are a "healthy sized" individual. I'd think from a basic physics standpoint, that keeping your weight up front, and on the ***** of your feet would be very important.

 

Looks like small glimpses of Hatfield McCoy. I tell ya, HM trails are so technical. There was only one stretch that was smooth and and wide open where you could hit it. And scenic to boot. All of the rest were ruts, rock, pits, angles rock bump outs. Really elite mountain trail riding for about 95% that I found. I want to go back and conquer but I am a little nervous! No more black trails, I like riding and this ATV stuff but I don't want to get killed or even hurt again! Some of those trails where we rode would of been section off and forbidden if they were found in our state parks.

Regards,

R'

 

We all learn from others and our own observations.

 

All true FR, body English is most of it. But... having a wheeler with some front end issues or jump effect on the steep mountains is not a good combo. My SP450 never jumped the way my SP800 HO does. But its rather obvious, but there are many 600-700 class models that have boasted claims of superior rock climbing.

I remember reading the clutching mech in the new XP's are smoother and was taken back to find out some with the XP850 are reporting problems with that (negative feature). Is it the extra HP, front end like Mongrol says? Whats going on here? Why am I so concerned? Well I was actually looking at an XP myself and really thought it may improve my current hill ascent issues not derail them.

R'

 

The XP makes it easy "R". Pick a steep hill, turn on the ADC, put the winch on "free wheel" and go for it.

 

Smooth..... The jumpyness is all in the clutch.. It can be clutched to stop that. but you will lose in other areas. There needs to be a happy medium

 

If you really want a hill machine, R, you should look into the 550 or 850 Touring or the 550 X2. With the extra wheelbase you have a much more stable hill climber. (And desceneder)

 

Kinda mix up on this, if the hill is treacherous it must be steep,if its steep you would go up slow not to flip backwards while in low range makeing power not a issue. If the hill is not steep can,t any ATV get up it?

No ATV in low range is going to run out of power even going up a tree, I tried it.LOL

I would think those stretched wheel base 2 up and X2 ATVs would go up steep hills the best.