I had not ridden an XP chassis machine for an extended duration before so it’s all new for me.
The things I like:
Power Steering – took a little getting used to at first. I found myself over correcting and see-sawing back and forth on the handle bars a few times on rutted trails. I was so used to my older machine’s stiffer steering. Definitely a bonus on tight, rocky trails and cuts down considerably on kick back.
Engine Power – I never thought my old Sportsman 500 was deficient on power but this machine has so much more power it’s immediately noticeable. It’s a blast to drive on trails and roads where you can take advantage of getting the machine up to higher speeds so damn quickly. So easy to push the back end out around corners. I can’t believe how fast it gets to 100 km/h (60 mph).
Handling – It’s handling is very secure and predictable but you know what – I think the 500 HO with struts handled a tiny bit better. I know some people won’t agree with me but it’s true. Perhaps it’s because those machines are a little wider. They’re 48" wide and the XP/SP are more than an inch narrower.
Appearance – That sunset red paint job is incredible. I took it out in the mountains two weeks ago with friends that were driving Can Am’s and Yamaha’s and they loved the color and the style. They all wanted to take it for a drive. The fit and finish is top notch.
Narrow gas tank area – This is one of the reasons I bought a new machine as well. It’s comfortable to drive all day long. I go on week-long ATV trips where I drive for 8-10 hrs a day and after a few days of that my hips would bother me a bit from having to straddle the older, wider 500 H.O. That won’t be a problem on this new machine at all.
Sound – That 850 twin sounds, well, awesome. I found myself blipping the throttle just to hear it.
Things I don’t like:
The machine is narrower which is great for narrow trails, but the racks are a bit smaller than the older, pre xp, machines. I don’t like that. It’s a small gripe, trust me.
Storage – I really miss the front storage box that was built-in on my 500 H.O. I know I can buy a new front rack box on the SP but it’s a few hundred dollars. At least the rear storage box between he tail lights is bigger than the old machines.
The Guage Pod – I like the style of the pod with the analog style needle but I wish it also had an option to display the speed digitally. If you are driving on a rutted road the numbers on the speedo are quite small and if the pod is shaking it’s hard to tell the exact speed you are doing especially when you get over 80 (km/h). Large digital numbers would be a great feature.
Thumb Throttle – I don’t know what Polaris is doing with the throttle that but it’s really stiff and a person’s thumb gets pretty sore after a few hours of riding. A guy I was riding with had a new 570 and he complained of the same thing. I already put a throttle extender on it.
Engine Braking – Engine braking is a great feature but it seems to be way too much on this machine. I found the rear wheels locking a bit and dragging often on roads with loose gravel and going down hills. I’ve driven a few other machines like a Grizzly that seems to have better engine braking. Those machines don’t make you feel like you’re going to go over the handle bars on steep hills.
Overall I’m really glad I bought the 850 SP. I got a decent deal on it which included maintenance for the first year and an extended warranty, so that’s a bonus as well. I know I’m going to have a ton of fun on this thing.
