2011 polaris 550 eps vs 2012 polaris 550 eps

Jack_leg · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 07:39 PM

Hey, I'm not new but been gone for a long time. My 2001 500 HO was stolen and now i'm looking for a new one. Been eyeing the 2011 550 FI EPS. What has been all the talk been about since I've been gone? Anyone got any input on what to look for or what is hot to buy? (X2?)

Thanks

crimson850 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 07:46 PM

The XP is great. Honestly I would go with the 550.. I have the 850 and have oil in the airbox always after 3 times to the dealer still no fix. Replaced voltage regulator and snapped an an arm and bent another. The 550 will not have the oil in the airbox problem. WAIT UNTIL 2012. They will be realesed in early august or later this month

Jack_leg · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 08:35 PM

Thanks, I have heard there was a problem with the 850's getting oil due to blow by. I think its a big problem and thats another reason I am pushing to the 550. So you think with in a month we will be getting the 2012's. I guess I can wait a few weeks.
Is the EPS worth it?; If it wasn't the nice wheels and paint I might not be willing to pay the extra for it.

09 Sportsman · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 08:59 PM

I have both. I've never had a problem with my 850 in 1k(hard) miles. No blow by. The 550 is cheaper, gets much better fuel mileage, and will do anything you need it to. You just can't pull a wheelie from a dead stop or outrun most bikes you come across. The 550 is pretty fast though, just not like the 850.

09 Sportsman · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 09:03 PM

btw, EPS is worth it. my 850 has it the 550 doesn't. It's like two different machines.

800touring · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 10:39 PM

09 sportsman haha they are 2 diffrent machines. one is an 850 and the other is a 550 haha.

Minnesota · #7 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 03:10 PM

I rode my buddy's 550 this weekend with the EPS. Compared to my Predator the 550 is a Cadillac. It rides soooo smooth, the EPS is amazing. If I would have rode the 550 before looking at the predator I might have considered getting one. The 550 does have a lot of power to it. We lined it up against some of our sport quads and it was keeping up great.

skizmo · #8 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 03:54 PM

I had my 550 doing 100km down a gravel road and it was smooth as anything...handled better then my ford ranger on gravel..LoL...I will never in my life need to exceed that speed on an atv...unless of course your racing...or just nuts...my average speed is under 30 km...Ill say it again..I go EVERY WHERE that my friend goes on his 850..it just costs me less...And I dont have to worry about oil in my air box....

When I was buying my bike the sales rep said to me after I asked which one I needed(550 or 850).."would you buy a Ferrari to go back and forth to the convenience store"...as in do you really need that big bore motor for what your doing.my answer was NO..so I bought the almost $4000 less non eps 550XP.

I think that my non eps 550 steers/handles great! its not hard to steer at ALL. I have yet to have a kick back that would concern me...or a spot I couldn't maneuver out of with relative ease.. I ride my buddy's 850 eps and the place I find it useful is in tight spots in between trees and if you like riding with one hand on your handle bar...personally save your self $1300 and buy aftermarket stuff....at the end of the day its an ATV not a Cadillac, there suppose to ruff,tuff boy toys.

Our mechanic told us to take back the XPS and buy an 800 and a 500 because there's less stuff to go wrong and there cheaper/easier to fix...I think eps just adds another expensive repair bill down the road...

PS..we told him (kindly) to f@#k off,We LOVE our XPS....lol

Just my opinion

Jack_leg · #9 (**permalink**) 07-12-2011, 10:44 AM

I was contacted today about the 550 EPS LE Black with 2500lb winch, he stated he could order one or sale me the 850 EPS in stealth black for the same price, he quoted me 10105.96 out the door with a 4 year plan. Any thoughts on this people?

I just fear the blow by

Action · #10 (**permalink**) 07-12-2011, 01:23 PM

I've got the 850 and really like it. No oil in the air box problems or anything else (knock on wood). If you can afford it I would go with what ever you really want.

As far as pricing, that would be a reasonable OTD price for my location on an 850xp EPS with a 4 year maintenance plan. However prices seem to vary wildly with location so I would do a little checking around. I could have gotten mine for $800 cheaper if I was willing to drive 10 hours to pick it up. For me, it wasn't worth the hassle of buying out of state, paying taxes once I got back, and spending two days traveling.

Action