For whatever reason, the X2 is much harder to steer. Don't know if it is the extra weight or different geometry in the front end or what. I had an 07 800 X2 and bought my wife an 09 SP 500. There was a night and day difference in the effort it took to turn. Not to mention the harsh ride from the heavy X2 suspension. I now have an '11 850 EPS. What a difference. I would put your wife on a 550 EPS and see how she likes it. The power steering makes it seem like you are riding a smaller machine because of the lack of effort it takes to steer it.

 

I agree let her go and pick one so you know she will like it.

 

Yeah, that's the thing to do. We just bought my wife an '11 550 touring EPS. She loves it! I used to try to get her to ride with me on my SP 500 and she always complained about the steering effort and kickback. So EPS was a must for her. We went to the dealer together and she picked out the wheeler she wanted. She's the only one allowed to ride it. It's hers and she has taken great pride in ownership with it. Now she's bugging me to go riding....

 

That would be nice, but my wife is not getting a new one right now. If that were the case, I'd be getting a new 850 XP w/EPS so I could play with it too...haha. I can buy tax free with the ag exemption, but I can't see sinking almost 10 grand into something that will see only occasional use.

 

Everyone's situation is different. You gotta do what's right for you and your situation. You know your wife. If you don't think she'd get more use out of a new EPS machine, money could probably be spent better elsewhere.

For me, it's well worth the small monthly payment to give my wife a toy she wants, enjoys and is comfortable on. The biggest benefit is her new found eagerness to get out on the trails with me. She now wants to ride every fee weekend we have...

Good luck on whatever direction you go.

 

there are other used atvs out there

suzuki 400 kq, Kodiak 450, rancher 400 at

they may not be what you want but then again its for her

a 400 will take her anywhere she wants to go and a 600 pound or less atv is easier to handle than a 700+ pound machine

if you want her to enjoy riding as much as you do let her help pick her atv

 

Not sure why Polaris quit making the smaller Haweye chassis,400 H.O it was smaller and 100lbs lighter then the new full size 400 H.O. 2010 Polaris Sportsman® 400 H.O. ATVs

At 688lbs the 400 H.O still weights more that a 750 KQ or 700 Grizzly.

 

Yeah, I was going to recommend you look for a used Hawkeye, or Sportsman 400.

 

It didn't weigh enough

 

well heres my 2 cents worth,..she gonna be following you,...so what dose it take to do that,...from there,she needs to be pickin what she likes an is confortabile with,thats the main thang,..what she confortabile on,..thatll follow you!!if she dont like it,..itll set an all that money go to wast,.. good luck!