What's the difference in these models?

[fpj66]

i'm in the market for a new atv. I was leaning towards a brute force, but doing some research on the polaris 850, i have a question. What is the difference between the sportsman 850 xp and the sportsman 850 xp HO? I cannot find anything. Any help would be appreciated.

[kcaves]

They changed the air intake and throttle bodies on the HO to give them more power


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.750406,-105.389273

[golf12]

Yep, 7 more hp in 2012 with the HO.. What's got you thinking about the Kawi over the XP.. Just curious.. Good luck with your purchase either way..

[fpj66]

I'm still kinda up in the air on which one. but, I really don't have a good answer. Just been watching alot of videos on youtube. I know the polaris is more comfy, has more power, and one video posted that the brute force got hot under big load. These quads ain't cheap and just want to make sure i'm happy with what i get. Are you trying to push me towards a kawi. LOL.

[4getful2]

Those bigger ones cost more. You need to talk to a few people who have had there's for a couple years and see what the common problems are, on both brands.

[golf12]

Do your research and get the one that makes you happy, but there are many reasons why polaris owns number one market share in the atv business.. The brute's a good machine and you'd no doubt be fairly happy with it.. But it isn't really in the same league as the xp.. In my opinion, the only bike that comes close is the can-am 800XTP and now the can-am 1000 which apprently has new frame geometry that fixes the handling issues of the previouse generation.. Again though, enjoy the procees and have fun with which ever one you choose!
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[shui5612]

grrr my message got deleted by my laptop as soon as i hit post...

in brief we need to know what your going to use your atv for, and what type of terrain you run in..
kawa: 50 work 50%play
polaris: 55%work 45% play
can am: 40% work 60% play.

ALL atv are fun on the trails, but some feel sportier ...
the guy on the can am will be tired much sooner than the guy on the polairs!
kawa seems balanced enough... but i couldnt reason the price... nor did i like the look...

you will never be displeased with a polaris...

hope i helped.

[bakada]

I'm going to start out with a disclaimer. All machines and brands have some quirks and problems. That being said I have had the best luck overall with Polaris and I own 3 now. I have no experience with the newer XP models but I am sure you can find someone out there who has bad feelings and bad things to say about Polaris in general and XPs in particular because of some first hand experiences.

Now I do most of my riding with 2 buddies who own Brute Forces (08 and 10). I have owned Kawasaki motorcycles since I was a little kid and I am a big fan so I am not bashing Kawasaki I am simply going to give my opinion of the Brute force from my own first hand experience with my buddy's.

First off both of my buddies Brute Forces will spank my 04 700efi. They are 750s and 4 and 6 years newer but it still sucks on my part. How they would perform against a new XP 850 I cant say.

Now I find that my Polaris machines ride better than the brute force. Its not a bad ride but it doesn't compare to the ride of my 08 500.

Over all the Brute Forces have run good but they have had there issues. Most of which I find a little disturbing considering the prices that were paid. Number one issue both have had is over heating. Both have been back to the dealer under warranty for over heating. Some times they will actually get hot enough to loose the coolant and some times they will just get the HOT dash indicator. The dealer has never been able to pin point the problem.

Both went back to the dealer to have new rear shaft seals replaced because they were leaking oil. One machine was almost run dry of oil before he figured out what was going on.

Just last week the 10 lost 4 wheel drive when the drive motor that locks in the front axle decided to give up when he was plowing. $280 for a new one.

Now all machines can break and need fixing and I dont think any brand would be considered cheap to fix and these machines are ridden hard sometimes. Usually harder than I ride mine so I will give them some kudos there but the biggest thing that bothers me about the Brute Force is this. My buddy with the 08 was out riding around his yard last spring picking up junk from the winter. He was getting tired of getting off and on (lazy) so he bent over while still on the machine and tried to grab a dead tree branch. He accidentally hit the gas with his shoulder and that caused the bars to turn sharply and he launched the machine about 2 feet into a tree where it hit the right front wheel. I wont go into all the damage that was done but it cost $4800 to fix and an entire new frame was needed before it was all done. Now I don't know how my Polaris would have handled the same deal but I have a hard time with the fact that the Brute Force required a new frame. Maybe it was a fluke and maybe the frames just arnt that strong. I don't know but I do know with my first hand knowledge of the Brute Force I would buy the XP.

[Donovan514]

Definitely do your research on all brands considered. Least amount of issues seem to be with the 2012 Can-Am 1000 and the 2012 Sportsman 850XP. The 09-11 XP's have some issues that won't be difficult to find on here. As far as Brute Force's are concerned, they are in a level under the Can-Am and XP. Also, if you do buy a Kawi, I would recommend that you search for a good price as I have seen 2012's with power steering for 7K and I have sen them for 10.5K, so they are ALL over the board. Don't pay 10K for a brute!!! If you're gonna spend 10K, then buy a CA 1000 or a Pol 850XP.

Just my honest opinion. Feel free to ask any other questions or PM me.

Blueline is a great help as well.

[Donovan514]

Whoops, I forgot to address the actual question

...but that's OK, someone already did. I have heard that they made the HO in 2012 because of the 'Oil in air box issue.'