The XP 550 is still there higher end machine vs the new 570 . The still 570 still uses the unchanged older sportsman chassis used in the 400 and 800. The xp's have taller suspension ,front dual a-arms ,larger 26" tires and larger gas tank.

The power steering is not my thing for its price, and another feature ready to break down one day.
The smoother 800 twin with 10hp more with no P.S cost the same as the 570 single with P.S.
I'd take the motor upgrade over the steering upgrade.

Not into the side by sides there just to wide and heavy for our rough narrow trails up here.

I can see the 500 being dropped since the 455 sportsman was almost the same ATV.

I like the new 570 being a DOHC like the 500 Predator motor was vs SOHC 500 Fuji.

 

So which would you pick for rough rocky off roads? The new 570 or a 550 ?

 

I don,t see it mattering since even the Sportsman's more dated suspension is still one of the smoothest ride out there.
The XP has abit more suspension travel 2014 Polaris Sportsman® 570 EFI with EPS ATVs
But the 570 DOHC motor seems more interesting then the 550 SOHC. AND the 570 cost a lot less for not much less real world of a ride.

Heck the 800 twin cost less then the 550 and would rip it a new one on the open road.http://www.atvreviewnetwork.com/enth...=373764&go2=Go

Strange the higher end XP550 does not get the new higher tec DOHC 570 mortor but the Sportsman does?

 

Is the 800 still the same parallel twin? My bil is shopping on a budget, wants to stay at the $7k mark..he is on a older popo 500, so any of them would be an upgrade.

 

800 is still a parallel twin. The 850 is also parallel twin, just more displacement and turned 90 degrees to make a narrower chassis in front of the rider.

 

For some reason I thought the 850 was a vtwin

 

Again- you're comparing a sportsman model with an xp model- 100% different machine. You need to compare the 500 & the 570 or the 550 & the 850.

The xp models (550 & 850) have the redesigned chassis and suspension-(along with dozens of other upgrades) and give a much imprived ride over the sportsman on rough terrain-

 

It is a vtwin- but it's positioned at 90* in the chassis with the cvt in the rear- totally different than a sportsman.

 

Tlc- can you find the youtube video from polaris that details the dozens of upgrades and differences between the xp model and the sportsman models and post it? I cant do it from my cell - it's a great vid and explains all the improvements with the xp model in detail.

 

My mistake. I thought the 850 was a parallel twin.