Pulling the trigger

[fpj66]

Well i think i'm gonna pull the trigger on getting an 2012 850 XP. I'm not a rider who treats them hard, but i don't want to baby it either. I read alot of post here on this forum about the problems on pre 2011 XP's. Am i gonna be safe on purchasing a 2012 with no problems? I don't want a quad that i'm gonna have to build a relationship with the dealer cause of a junk quad. All my riding buddy's tell i'm a fool for not going with a Honda. I know Honda's are probably the least amount of power out of all of them, but i know they are the most reliable ones. No belt, gear driven. Just want some help on confirming my choice.

[tprice]

Wish i could ease your mind on the troubles but I heard the same stuff 14 years ago when I bought my 97 Magnum 4x4 however it did not take them long to become very envious of my ride. They ALL had to take it for a spin and Polaris has always been the leader in innovations (auto tranny's, TRUE AWD, IRS, bigger engines, etc). With innovations comes some gliche's but it makes the competition up their game. After guys at my hunt club rode my Polaris they were shocked at the ride and loved the automatic tranny and power


Now the Honda units are pretty much bullet proof but just my opinion is they are slow, don't have a great turning radius and I to this day still do not like the shifting whether on the floor or the ES

I think you will be happy

Just bought a left over 11 SP 800 EFI I and did send the extra money for the extended warranty just to make sure

By way my trusty old 97 just found a new home, she was rode hard but maintained well and only last year did I do any major work and that was have transmission rebuilt but other than that just little nit picky stuff was all that has been done to her

Keep it serviced and you should be fine

[99and04F150]

I work with all Honda people and they gave me a load of sh*t about buying a Polaris.... Then several of them test drove it and now see why I bought it. I was torn between the Foreman and the 550 I bought. The thing that killed me about the Foreman was comfort, I am a bigger dude (6'4" 245) and I need to be comfortable and the Foreman just couldn't compare in comfort. Power and looks were the reasoning, Honda is so far behind the curve on looks and styling.... I felt like I was driving something from 15 years ago... As far as quality time will tell, but I feel confident with the way I treat things and service them I will never have an issue with my Polaris.

[fpj66]

well i appreciate the feedback. I know i'm gonna catch alot of sh*t too, but i'm the one paying for it.
I've always taken very good care of my quads. So as long as i take very good maintance on it, sounds like i'll be alright.
Thanks a bunch.

[crazyjoe]

I know there are a few recent posts on here about the '11 vs '12 850xp's, try to find them and see what all is said (edit: i think you started the one I'm thinking about, lol). I'm pretty sure the the '12 models have a much better reputation than the '11's. Like you said, you're paying for it, so buy what you want!!!

[Mag]

I have a 2011 850XP and have not had any trouble at all, Don't listen to all the negative stuff, That is just a few that may have a problem and that is with all ATV's , the ride of the Polaris is amazing and my opinion the they just look so sporty

[Bobs]

I have a 2009 Polars 800 x2 with 1700 miles on it have had no problems with it. You won't be sorry about getting a 850 Polars.

[jp850xp]

think of how many machines Polaris sells and how many bad comments there are, you never see many post bragging about how good machines are you always hear about the bad, what i've done in the past is go on Craigslist and find people that are selling something im looking for and ask for a honest opinion from them about it find 3,4,5 different people, reviews online etc...

[Donovan514]

I do not intend on being the negative one, however, I will say that you should read up as much as you can on the 850 as they seem to be a problem for many people. You do not need to search long, there are always active posts about their issues. The 2012 seems to be the only safe buy when it comes to the 850, but just so you know, they are basically the same exact bike as the 09. They made them a HO, but that's it. All of the COMMON issues that you read about still apply with the exception of getting oil in the air box. That issue is supposedly gone, but time will tell. The 2012 Can-Am 1000 and the 2012 Polaris 850XP are the best machines out right now, so I would suggest you consider both.

Do some reading as this is a huge purchase.

Good luck