Thought thats odd also,even my 2001 500 H.O only came with EBS.

 

In our group of riders we have both quads & we ride on average 350-400 a weekend. What I have noticed is this. The 2009 Sportsman 800 HO and the 2009 850XP have about the same top speed. The HO is more comfortable for lighter riders. It has a proven engine. The 800 also has the normal noises known to Polaris. It also has the issue with heat coming from the right side leg. Other than that it is a great quad!

The XP on the other hand is better for riders like me who have some meat on our bones. It steers awesome with and without the EPS & is very quite. It is a very smooth quad. But not quite proven yet like its older brother.

No matter which one you will be fine. One of the guys in our group just picked up a 08 SP800 camo with only 100 miles on it for $4500.- with a winch, box and shield! Looked brand new. Hell of a deal vs the 8K it costs for a XP. Another guy in our group sold is XP and went back to the 2009 SP800.

Hope this helps?
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Thanks for everyone's input on this. First off let me start by saying that the 2010 Sportsman 800 I can get for $5749 plus tax and title. I would add the EBS since it is an option and that would be another $600. The 2010 Sportsman 850 I can get for $ 7399 plus tax and title and it has EBS and ADC. The 800 has been around for a little while but the steering is a little heavy. The 850 has the new design with the motor and tranny mounted different and it makes the body of the machine thinner. A couple things that concern me on the 850 is the belt and housing is in the rear of the machine and it seems like it would get damaged easier. The rear ASM-LINKAGE, STABILIZER BAR seems longer and not as robust as the shorter one on the 800. I will buy one of these early next week but I am not sure which one. I plan on having this thing for a while and want to make sure I buy the right one for me.

 

Changing the belt on the new 850 must be a day job and not 20 minutes anylonger with that set up.

 

The xps dont chew through belts like the HOs. The way the pvt and engine are turned they hid the belt but significantly increased its reliability. The xp isnt proven completly but its not new anymore. So the argument its full of glitches is not valid

 

The H.Os blows belts? I change mine every 2000 miles,Hard loaded camping miles,the belt looks good but for $80 I just change it every 2000 miles like my sleds for piece of mine.

 

That is a big complaint i hear from people. I have done it once plowing in low gear.

 

I guess I am leaning towards the 800. Is the 850 a true 850cc's. That is what the Polaris web site has it listed as. I do like the new pod on the 850. They finally got rid of the old dial.

 

Go with your gut forget the money as much as you can. I hate regretting decisions

 

Well I made up my mind today at the dealer. I am going with the 850. The steering is awesome on these as well. After riding the 850, and then jumping on the 800 it was like grabbing a bull by the horns. The 850 wasn't even power steering.