i know there are a couple topics, but im looking for fresh opinions. i have ridden a couple 800s, but no 550 or 850s yet. how is the reliability been on the 550? as good as the 800? i like the easier matainence on the 800 and having hydraulic lifters. is the 550 chassis that much better?

 

One thing they unimproved on the newer XP, is it takes half a day to change a belt vs half an hour on the sportsmans with its new belt location.

The XP chassis is better but not better enough to me that I would buy a 40hp 550 single
for the "same price" as a 54hp 800 Twin with 51.8 lb/ft of torque.

I would take a Big bore twin with a great ride over a Mid bore single with a excellent ride if the cost is the same. The power and smoothness of the 800 twin is worth giving up some chassis ride quality to me.
The old Sportsman chassis still has a much better ride quality the most ATVs out there anyways,and the 800 twin with its HP and torque advantage is a much more enjoyable motor then the 550 single in every way to make up for what little it loses in the chassis.

 

I agree. Looked seriously at trading up to a 550 next year, but gonna pass, and eventually get an Outty 500.

One of the guys on another polaris forum said sitting on a 550 reminded him of a woman squatting to pee...He is tall. LOL

I can easily see the XP could be a headache to work on.