illinois polaris atv forms

GoldMiner · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011, 10:45 PM

I am going to be ordering a new Sportsman 850 soon, and my question is, I'm wondering if it's worth the extra $1,200.00 for power steering. I am going to be retiring out west as soon as I find the right property, and this will be my first ATV. I'll be using it to ride on trails out in the mountains and around the farm. Also I'm wondering if I should wait and add all the accessories later as opposed to having the winch, luggage racks, fender flares added at the factory. Sometimes after market products don't line up exactly like they're supposed to and wanted to know if anyone has run into problems in the past.
Thank you all in advance for your advise,
Russ

Berardi3 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 03:50 AM

I am in the same dilemma but just to say the 850 is a good choice and what I hear eps is worth it. 850 is awesome power

**Bruce!** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 04:15 AM

Welcome to the board!

Mag · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 04:41 AM

I have a 2011 850 XP and we have been out trail riding this summer in New Mexico and the Power Steering is worth EVERY pennie and more, Just ride one without it and you will see, after the end of the day riding , you are not tired at all from fighting the steering moving back and forth. You can steer it with just one hand if you like

golf12 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 05:03 AM

One hand.. how bout' just one finger!.. Even at 2-3 miles per hr you can literally steer with one finger with eps.. $1200 seems a bit high for the pwr steering add so dig into that a bit.. Does it come with alluminum rims vs steel or maybe the front storage box that's standard on the touring models is included on the eps model your dlr is offer vs the non eps model.. If you take two bikes that are exactly the same in every other way except eps, I think pwr steering is typically only $700 to $800 more not $1200.. Unless I'm missing something for 2012.. As for the accessories.. Just stick with the "pure polaris" stuff and install's are a breeze..

Good luck with the purchase.. You'll love the the xp with or without eps so go with your gut..

GoldMiner · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 03:09 PM

Thanks everyone for the advise, I really appreciate it. I'm looking for property around Helena, MT. to maybe do some Gold detecting or digging since I choose the 'GoldMiner' screen name lol so I'll need something to ride around on in the mountains instead of walking many acres at a time.

Since this will be my first ATV, I did some research and picked Polaris because it's made in the USA! I watched the video reviews of the Sportsman 850 vs other manufactures and I liked the 4WD is there when you need it automatically locking in all 4 wheels. I also like the down hill braking....being a truck driver I know all about Jake brakes and the mountains but I was wondering, can you also accelerate down a hill if you want too?

Thanks again everyone,

Russ

Jfmagnone · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 06:14 PM

Yes you can, the ADC will only activate if you are going under 15 mph. And if I'm not mistaking you also can not be hitting the throttle while decinding

mdlucky · #8 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldMiner

Thanks everyone for the advise, I really appreciate it. I'm looking for property around Helena, MT. to maybe do some Gold detecting or digging since I choose the 'GoldMiner' screen name lol so I'll need something to ride around on in the mountains instead of walking many acres at a time.

Since this will be my first ATV, I did some research and picked Polaris because it's made in the USA! I watched the video reviews of the Sportsman 850 vs other manufactures and I liked the 4WD is there when you need it automatically locking in all 4 wheels. I also like the down hill braking....being a truck driver I know all about Jake brakes and the mountains but I was wondering, can you also accelerate down a hill if you want too?

Thanks again everyone,

Russ

Hi Russ!

We would be almost neighbors. I'm over in Missoula, and I just recently purchased a 850xp touring with power steering.

My power steering crapped out the first week I owned the thing. Obviously covered by warranty, but an extremely expensive fix should it happen outside warranty. I asked the guy that did the work what he thought about the problem. He said it was only the second ATV they have ever had come back for a power steering issue. So, it sounds like I had an extremely unfortunate and rare experience.

I can tell you that you should really make sure you have a great relationship with the dealer. If you read about 2011 850s you will find it is a very common issue to have oil in the air filter box. Mine had the oil, and my dealer wasn't able to help me. You read through the threads here and find that many, many people do get help from their dealer. It has been my experience that Polaris service is almost non existent: it is at the DEALER level. Keep that in mind before you do business.

Also check the price check area. The Missoula dealer got me a price on my ATV that I haven't seen even close to being touched in the price check threads.. So, you may consider looking around those areas for price help.

That's about all the advice I can offer.

Good luck and have fun.

GoldMiner · #9 (**permalink**) 12-15-2011, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jfmagnone

Yes you can, the ADC will only activate if you are going under 15 mph. And if I'm not mistaking you also can not be hitting the throttle while decinding

Ok, yup that makes sense. Thanks, I thought it might work that way.

GoldMiner · #10 (**permalink**) 12-15-2011, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdlucky

Hi Russ!

We would be almost neighbors. I'm over in Missoula, and I just recently purchased a 850xp touring with power steering.

My power steering crapped out the first week I owned the thing. Obviously covered by warranty, but an extremely expensive fix should it happen outside warranty. I asked the guy that did the work what he thought about the problem. He said it was only the second ATV they have ever had come back for a power steering issue. So, it sounds like I had an extremely unfortunate and rare experience.

I can tell you that you should really make sure you have a great relationship with the dealer. If you read about 2011 850s you will find it is a very common issue to have oil in the air filter box. Mine had the oil, and my dealer wasn't able to help me. You read through the threads here and find that many, many people do get help from their dealer. It has been my experience that Polaris service is almost non existent: it is at the DEALER level. Keep that in mind before you do business.

Also check the price check area. The Missoula dealer got me a price on my ATV that I haven't seen even close to being touched in the price check threads.. So, you may consider looking around those areas for price help.

That's about all the advice I can offer.

Good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the heads up! I'm waiting for the quote from the dealer in Helena. The only prices I have so far are from Polaris's website where you can build it and send it to the dealer for a quote.

I'm really leaning towards the Sportsman XP® 850 H.O. EPS Browning® LE $10,999. It already has the rear rack extender, winch and rifle scabbard, so I'll just have to add all of the skid plates, brush gaurds and fender flares. I'll let ya know what price I get quoted.

Russ