polaris 850xp

dj2muchjunk

New member
Need advice, considering buying a low miles used 09 850xp, really was looking for an 550. mainly use to sign and brush trails, but may do more recreational riding with this upgrade.currently have a pair of 1992 250 Polaris 4x's. What should I look out for as possible problems? What are they worth?

Thanks in advance.
 

bellracing2

New member
I had an 11 850 xp . it was only state trail ridden , and in the woods trails . the #1 thing to look for is the oil in the airbox issue , that was a bad breather on top of the eng doing that . a few guys lost the motors , but I think they drowned them in swamps and tried to get warranty . I also wore out all my a arm bushings in less then 500 miles . the engine is a POWERHOUSE !!! a blast to ride , but I did not want to keep replacing a arm bushings every year . the polarass warranty would not cover it either . do a search on the sportsman 850 xp problems or go to the polaris atv website and read all about thier issues . the "value line " sportsmans are much better built , I have had multiple sportsmans over the years and the 850 xp was the only bad one . maybe look into a sportsman 800 ?
 

ranger_x

New member
I own one and would not recommend one to anyone at all any of the years. They are fine when they sit in the garage but when you ride them you will have to repair them quite often. I own two Suzuki King Quads too and very little service work is needed only brakes. I have Over 6k miles on one of them. It`s strange how one brand just falls apart while the other hold up just fine even when they roll on the same trails.
 

asmski

New member
We just picked up two Suzuki King Quads, only have about 100miles on them so far. I hope I have the same success with them that you did! 6,000miles is A LOT.
 

dj2muchjunk

New member
wow am I getting educated ! Now am wondering why the 550 and 850 are so expensive compared to the 500 and 800? The 500 and 800 seem to get really good reviews. And what about the 400, I mean I've been getting by with a 250! My needs are not having the biggest and fastest but just want a reliable work horse that I can also trail ride. Great tips so far Thank You!
 

bellracing2

New member
the new sportsman 400 is actually a 450 cc ho motor . if a 250 has made you happy then a 450 would probably be fine . however I would recommend paying the extra 3-5 hundred bucks and get the 2013 sportsman 500 ho . they quit making them and now offer the entry level 400 , or new 570 sportsman which is kinda a hybrid between the old chassis , and new motor . NOW if this new motor lasts it will be an awesome machine ..................... however I would definatly wait a few yrs on that one to get the bugs out . the value line sportsmans are good machines , I have never had a failure ( that wasnt my own fault !!!) the engines are not the most powerful , but they are simple design and super easy to work on .
 

attack_06

New member
I had an 11 850 xp . it was only state trail ridden , and in the woods trails . the #1 thing to look for is the oil in the airbox issue , that was a bad breather on top of the eng doing that . a few guys lost the motors , but I think they drowned them in swamps and tried to get warranty . I also wore out all my a arm bushings in less then 500 miles . the engine is a POWERHOUSE !!! a blast to ride , but I did not want to keep replacing a arm bushings every year . the polarass warranty would not cover it either . do a search on the sportsman 850 xp problems or go to the polaris atv website and read all about thier issues . the "value line " sportsmans are much better built , I have had multiple sportsmans over the years and the 850 xp was the only bad one . maybe look into a sportsman 800 ?
why are the a-arm bushings junk in 500 miles what other constant repairs are their
 

bellracing2

New member
Because on the xp's they are plastic . the aftermarket was making them out of delron or a nylon composite w / teflon . have to buy multiple air cleaners because polaris and the dealer took so long to try and figure out the oil in the airbox problem . the machine was not well thought through before it was released to the public . some people lost motors , now granted some of them also went extreme mud boging , and trying to play submarine . but you dont hear horror stories of waysted motors from yamaha grizzlies ? suzuki king quads ? honda rincons ? I never have . you change the oil and your good to go . those people did that and the motors still blew . read up on the polaris atv forums its all there . polaris would not cover my bushings after 400 miles of gravel trails and maybe 100 of woods trails . the dealer knew me and went to bat for me ............ factory said no .
 

ranger_x

New member
Lot of people don't know but Polaris stuff is made in China. That's seems where their items will fail. Not saying that all of its stuff is China but its some of their stuff.
I give Polaris the leading edge in marketing their products but that seems the only thing they focus on.

As to other brands that fail sure all brands have issues. I just had bad luck getting Polaris to stand up to their product while under warrantee.
Bushings worn in less than 200 miles, starter, power steering box, axles cv joints, paint, etc.... Wrote letters no replies back.

The best thing is finding the right dealer that will stand behind what they sell and offer you support.

A good site for atv info http://nyrocatv.com/
 
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