 |
|
06-07-2011, 09:00 PM
|
 |
Junior Member
|
|
Member #15783
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 4
|
|
|
Sportsman 550 vs 800 EFI
I am looking to buy a new polaris and am not exactly sure what I want. I was originally going to get a 400 sportsman because its the best value but then decided I want EFI.
I noticed a couple of differences between the Sportsman 550 and the 800 EFI. The 550 actually sits a little higher, has a bigger fuel tank, and has the engine brake. Also, the front suspension is a newer/better design I believe. The 800 has a bigger engine, obviously.
Am I missing anything?
Any input to why I should get one over the other would be greatly appreciated.
|
06-07-2011, 09:30 PM
|
 |
Super Moderator
|
|
Member #193
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Port Angeles WA
Posts: 11,419
|
|
Welcome to the board! 
|
06-07-2011, 09:38 PM
|
|
Extreme ATV Enthusiast
|
|
Member #14486
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NE Washington
Posts: 107
|
|
|
__________________
John
2010 800 EFI Sportsman 6x6
Black Vision 159 wheels
GBC Spartacus tires
Warn RT 30
Custom ATV-Guru bumper
ATV-Tec gun rack
2002 500 Sportsman 6x6
Titan 589 MT tires
Warn 2500 winch
Warn bumper
Cycle Country plow
|
06-07-2011, 09:46 PM
|
 |
ATV Enthusiast
|
|
Member #7324
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 42
|
|
|
I was in the exact same situation as you about a year ago, based on the spec sheet, i was going to buy the 550, but i ended getting a used 800 (saved thousands of $) and am very glad i did. Sportsman are very very heavy and the extra power makes a big difference, but it really comes down to where a how you ride to decide which one is better for you. I am usually travelling at speeds above 45km/h (sometimes a 115) so the bigger bore 800 was better for me but if you do a lot of really tight wood trails, go with the 550 with power steering. Try test driving each one before you buy. Good luck.
|
06-07-2011, 10:26 PM
|
|
Extreme ATV Enthusiast
|
|
Member #7117
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 226
|
|
|
Get the 800. Its the better machine. I just traded my 2010 550 for an 2011 800 and I am so much happier with it. It has better steering, clutching, and gobs more power. you have much larger tire selection due to the ability to run 12 inch wheels. You also have a huge aftermarket and the sky is the limit as far as HP goes.
|
06-07-2011, 10:35 PM
|
 |
Extreme ATV Enthusiast
|
|
Member #13772
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: sierra vista az
Posts: 212
|
|
|
gas mileage on the 800+ sucks. the 550 is all you need.
__________________
2007 sportsman 500 x2 efi
26" sadona ripsaws on 12" itp ss312's
3 headlight mod relay type
2500 Ib polaris winch
custom made "winch saver"
custom work light mod with lighted switch and 18 Watt lamps
custom stealth black shock covers
Front trunk locks Polaris Part #2874548 $7.50 each @ dealer
front rack rails converted to "U channel" strut for easy attachments
pure polaris HD front springs
|
06-07-2011, 10:39 PM
|
|
Extreme ATV Enthusiast
|
|
Member #13772
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: sierra vista az
Posts: 212
|
|
|
i have an 07 500 and get up to 65 mph pritty fast and get almost 30 mpg on hard pack trails and 35 mpg at 45 mph on the roads
__________________
2007 sportsman 500 x2 efi
26" sadona ripsaws on 12" itp ss312's
3 headlight mod relay type
2500 Ib polaris winch
custom made "winch saver"
custom work light mod with lighted switch and 18 Watt lamps
custom stealth black shock covers
Front trunk locks Polaris Part #2874548 $7.50 each @ dealer
front rack rails converted to "U channel" strut for easy attachments
pure polaris HD front springs
|
06-08-2011, 01:33 AM
|
 |
Polaris ATV Legend
|
|
Member #6579
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Connecticut
Posts: 3,114
|
|
|
Morning and welcome,
I think the best advice that you got so far was to go ride them and decide yourself!!
My pop bought a 2010 550 last year, I bought a 2007 700 EFI. NEITHER has power steering. The 550 has EBS and ADC while the 700 has neither. But just looking at engines and suspension, pretty close to what your looking at. I have ridden both quite a bit.
Ride: About identical. Mine has HD springs and I like the firmer ride over the mushy stock springs.
Steering: Easier on the 550
Engine: Hands down the 700. Torque much faster and simply lots more power. (The 550 is no slouch, just cannot really compared to the 700/800) MUCH smoother. Top speeds pretty close. No EBS on the 700, so you will be using the brakes allot more than you would on the XP. I don't find it as an issue as I have never had a EBS machine to really compare it to. Someone jumping off a EBS machine to the non EBS may feel differently. ADC is the BOMB!! IMHO its great and much better then EBS... I wish I had it!!
CW
__________________
Mine
2007 Polaris Sportsman 700 EFI W/ 26" Maxxis Big Horns, Crusher Black alloy rims, EPI clutch kit, EPI HD springs F&R, Moose front/Ricochet rear CV guards, Kolpin Aux 4 Gal fuel can, UNI air filter, Moose camo tank bag, F&R rack extensions, Lock-N-Ride lo & hi windshields, Acerbis hand guards, CUSTOM mirrors and a 3000# Gorilla winch, W/Am-steel blue synthetic line, running thru a winch saver and an aluminum fairleed.
NEW: Thor's foot pegs and CUSTOM rear rack support frame and WES seat box. CUSTOM front and rear mud flaps.
Momma's
2000 Polaris Trail Boss 325 W/23" Wooly Bogger rear tires, Powermadd hand guards, UNI filter, Big Dawg rear and side bags, Polaris Mirrors, Kolpin grips, Quad Boss tank bag, Gas tank fuel gauge, Custom front 12v power port, Dual 1.5 Gal Kolpin fuel cans, mounted in custom rear facing mounts and a 2000# Super-Winch in a custom built mount W/winch saver.
CALL Thor @ www.TheATVSuperStore.com - 815-321-3888
|
06-08-2011, 07:26 AM
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Member #15783
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 4
|
|
|
Thanks for the info guys. For the record, I would be buying both new. I won't be able to drop the extra coin on a 550 with power steering.
I don't really need the power of the 800, but it is always nice to have. I read that the hp output of both engines aren't that far apart, was that bs?
I had heard the the front suspension of the 800 (the MacPherson design) is old school and that the front suspension of the 550 is much better. Is there any merit to this?
|
06-08-2011, 08:31 AM
|
 |
Extreme ATV Enthusiast
|
|
Member #2147
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 247
|
|
|
It is all personal preference.
I would choose the 550 because it steers easier and feels lighter to drive. It also turns sharper which a BIG plus in tight terrain. I would not own a machine without EBS.
The XP is the latest and greatest. McPhearson struts are old school but functional
Good luck with your decision...both are good machines.
__________________
2005 SP 500
2004 SP 500
2002 SP 500-SOLD
2001 SP 500-TOTALED
|
|
|
Lower Navigation
|
|
|
| Search tags for this page |
|
2011 polaris 550 efi, 2011 polaris 800 efi factory rims, 2011 polaris sportsman 550 efi, 2011 polaris sportsman 800 horsepower, custom sportsman 550 x2, polaris 2011 sportsman 550, polaris 550 vs 800, polaris 800 efi horsepower, polaris 800 efi mpg, polaris 800 or 550?, polaris 800 vs 550, polaris atv comparison chart, polaris sportsman 500 vs 800, polaris sportsman 550 vs 800, polaris sportsman 800 efi with ripsaw tires, polaris sportsman 800 horsepower, polaris sportsman 800 hp, polaris sportsman mpg, sportsman 550 or 800, sportsman 800 horsepower
Click on a term to search our sites for related topics.
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
