Polaris Sportsman XP. The Polaris Sportsman XP designation is new for 2009. It includes two brand new models - the Sportsman 850 XP and the Sportsman 550 XP. The video below is a Polaris rep describing the new models and features. It's a little long but there's a ton of new stuff to explain - so it's worth your time to watch if you want to be up to speed on these new for 2009 Sportsman XPs. Polaris Sportsman XP 850 - First up let's cover the new 850. The arms race in the big bore ATV class is starting to remind me of the muscle car wars of the late 60's. Manufacturers are playing the "mine's bigger than yours" game to the max. Engine displacement keeps going up, optimistic horsepower ratings get quoted, and prices heat up right along with the hype. At the same time, the situation in the world is poised to throw a big load of ice water on the party. Unlike the muscle car days of the past, the ATV factories have combined the power boosts with better chassis, suspension, and brakes. The downside is more weight and more money. This virtually all new Sportsman XP is proof that Polaris isn't going to sit still even with it's best selling Sportsman line. And with ATV sales dropping faster than pounds off the latest Jenny Craig Celebrity spokesperson, that's probably a good thing. The days of ATVs flying out dealership doors without much effort are over. It's going to take something special to convince customers to part with their hard earned cash. It looks like Polaris understands that. Interviews with early owners show most of them to be enthusiastic about the new Polaris Sportsman XP 850. The power, better handling and suspension, and healthy towing capacity were all mentioned as favorites. Trail riders especially liked the extra ground clearance at 12 inches. Their wasn't as much agreement about the new styling. Everyone agreed it was different, but not everybody thought that was a good thing. Several of the styling changes were due to engineering changes for better performance. The radiator was raised for better cooling in muddy conditions. The winch was lowered for better leverage and stability. The front lower part of the frame was shortened and angled for better ground clearance when approaching obstacles. Now that's change I can live with! Styling should always be secondary to function in my book. And that's even more true in a machine intended with utility as it's prime directive.  Other features include the much narrower seat and
larger floor boards for improved riding positions, and a new digital
instrument face with large readouts. (Baby boomers thank you!). The
three headlights will help with visibility at night.An EPS model is offered for a few hundred more dollars ($700). That will get you a variable assist power steering system which is claimed to have 30% more power assist than competitors. Good news for those who ride long days. A couple of negatives mentioned were a feeling of side to side "torque roll" due to the new inline mounted engine. Others said that it either didn't bother them or they quickly got used to it. A few felt there was excessive nose dive under hard braking. All things considered, it looks like the Polaris Sportsman XP 850 is a hit with Polaris fans, and it even has folks loyal to other brands thinking about a change. I imagine that's pretty much what Polaris was aiming for. Specifications -
Polaris
Sportsman XP 850
 Polaris Sportsman XP 550 - Then we have the little brother 550. All the features of the new XP Sportsman with less power, less weight, and a lot less money. For recreational trail riding and some light utility work, this is a nicely balanced package. Fact is, for most folks, this may be the best choice of the new models. The 850 grabs the headlines, but the 550 is more than enough for the vast majority of ATV owners. For most trail riding, the combination of power, handling, suspension, ground clearance, and maneuverability come together to make for a really enjoyable ride. There's much less stress when you're not trying to keep the power of the 850 under control. If you like riding at a somewhat less than frantic pace, and don't need more power for heavy hauling or towing, the Polaris Sportsman XP 550 deserves a look. An EPS model is also offered on the 550. I'm not sure it's needed as much with less power and weight than the 850, but if you really want a low effort ride, step right up. Specifications - Polaris
Sportsman XP 550
Related links: Polaris ATV Guide - Exclusive Guide to the Polaris ATV Models Complete with Reviews, Videos, Specifications, and More. Polaris Big Boss - Polaris Big Boss Review with Owner Comments, Pictures, and Specifications. Polaris Phoenix - If you're looking for a first ATV and want to keep things simple, this Polaris will do the job. 2009 Polaris Outlaw Models - The Polaris Outlaw model line includes a full range of sport ATVs from the 50cc Outlaw youth ATV to the rip snortin', KTM engined, race winning 525 Outlaws. Polaris 4 Wheeler Parts - Where to Find the Best Deals. World of ATVs Home page from Polaris Sportsman XP. |