New ATV Purchase Questions

[LostViking]

Hello everyone, New here, and looking for some advice.

I posted this over on the Can Am Forum also, but I wanted equal Polaris feedback so I thought I would post it here as well.

I'm getting ready to Buy/Build another ATV. I'm down to the Outlander or a Polaris XP/X2 and looking for some advice. I have owned both in the past and found they both had their pluses and minuses.

The Polaris I'm looking at is the new X2 It can be had in a 2011 leftover in the 850, or in 2012 as a 550. I like it's ability to transform from one up, to two up, to work rig with the small dump box. I like the turf mode as it doesn't rip up grass. I like the shift pattern on the Polaris better for plowing because, It goes P-R-N-L-H so I don't have to go through high range every time when I'm plowing. Also, I like that all three lights stay on at the same time, again making plowing more convenient. And for $20.00 I can add the rear work light kit that used to be free. That kind of aggravates me. I had two Polaris Sportsman machines and they were trouble free. I have to admit the 850 XP is starting to grow on me as well.

The Outlander, I would most likely go with is the 800R XT the 2012 is just sexy. I had an older 800 and was impressed. It plowed great. It sounded great, and performed really well. I had it set up with tracks, It was sweet. It seemed slightly more suited to play than work, but it did whatever I asked it to do.

The Outlander is going to come in higher price wise, I was thinking about upgrading to the Max too, for the ability of two up riding but that's not a huge priority.

What I'm looking for is advice from folks who own the "Newer Versions" of either the Outlander or Polaris XP or X2. Good, Bad, Ugly. No Hating, Please!

I've read everyone likes the new Outlander chassis. But the same seems to be true of the XP. Both seem to have gotten more complicated as well. I know many will recommend the 1000 XT, But I just don't think I'll use the added power. To be honest that's the appeal of the 550, range and fuel efficiency. At fifty-two I'm finally beginning to get sensible, well sort of.

I'm sure either machine will serve me well. It needs to first and foremost be a plow, machine. But the fly in my ointment is, that next week I will be relocating to Chateaugay, N.Y. and will be living on a road where I can drive out of my driveway and legally drive down the road and hit the trails. So the trail riding aspect has become slightly more important than it was in the past.

Here's my old 800 set up for plowing,





Not that this matters but like the bikes, both OEM websites have some good and some bad. They're sort of frustrating in the build and price modes.

While we're at it, I think I'm going to try one of the new Polymer plows be it Can Am or Polaris. So any advice on these would help as well.

I will probably post this on the Polaris forum as well just for the sake of some well rounded advice.

Thanks in advance for the advice,

[Bruce!]

Welcome to the board!

[rickcj7]

It needs to first and foremost be a plow, machine

The biggest baddest atv of coarse, the X2
Heavier and it has true 4WD not the visco crap.
But for a true plowing beast Electronic power steering is the way to go.
I'd recomend the 550 Touring XP. You can put a basket on the back if you need a place to haul stuff. but you lose turf.

[lovetoride]

I just bought the 2011 XP 2up meybe a month ago Very impressive machine dont know much about snow plowing or the can am machine however i will caution you on some 2011 flaws on the 850 powerplant 1. first six hours had a bad clutch under warrenty dealer replaced and said they either break immediately or never dont know if thats true. 2. Theres a fuse up near the radiator that pops from the radiator heat my dealer says most shops replace them before they sell them 3. Finally and most common PCV valve seems to have a cheap plastic washer allowing oil to get into the air box at higher RPMs still working this issue myself.

Again super sweet machines when runnin meybe i got wiered deal hope this helps

[joshr08]

I dont have any info to help but have to say i would love to have that can-am beast in my driveway come snow fall sweet plow machine.

[shui5612]

well i own a 800x2 and a 850 xp,
the x2 has a plow setup and its amazing. pushes really well.
never had tracks tho.
a buddy of mine has a newer 800 canam, not sure what year but he got it this year (im not sure as to why maybe he has a leftover.....)
i mean its ok really. but both my x2 and 850xp offer a better trail ride. as in 4x4 (awd) comfort and so on.
the x2's rear box is amazing for hauling something here and there and i need something similar for my 850xp, maybe a box..........
turf is an amazing thing to have on grass and when turning.

ill be honest here here are pros and cons for all 3 machines.
800 x2= great idea, 2up mode is surprisingly comfy , would love an 850 engine and eps on it.... plus its like always haveing 2 seats if you ever need it.. plowing is a breeze.
cons. 2-uo mode looks less comfy than a touring, plus you loose space (in the box) nothing else of what i can think of..

850xp eps. pros: eps, 850 , amazing offroading capabilities, looks great. not sure on how it does for plowing because i dont have a plow on it.
and its an amazing trail ride.

conclusion, the x2 is "better" for work, and imho for trails too because of the storing.

800 can am: pros:it looks ok in my opinion, its sporty, 4x4 is acceptable... but really. its just a sporty quad, not really made for work, weight wise and 4x4 wise.
cons: visco lock, over rated here and everyone has one. like really. if i look for a used quad for sale. there is about 500 can ams, various models, years and so on. they just look the same. especially in yellow.......... comparativly there is 30 polarises for sale here. out of which 5 are rangers/rzrs 15 are old, like 2000-2004 models and 10 are just random ones for sale, mostly 400-500's for sale because people want more power or efi...

conclusion, the can am is "faster" than my 850 but not by much in a straight line. maybe in turns. the 4x4 is OK on the can am, but for something like, speeding down a frozen lake, down a trail, where 4x4 lock isnt needed, the popo's 4x4 is alot more "tuned" for work, plus amazing traction like in mud and so......
for what you want, id go with the 2011 850 xp because it has the power, and is versatile,more than the can am.
the x2, is REALLY acceptable in trails, even if its longer, it has turf for the tighter turns..
the can am is going to be "more" fun trail wise.. but will do poorly in plowing/work

another tip is that dont get the plastic plows, they might be ok, but i see no reason to switch over, a bump here or there and i see it just shattering. plus the metal plows are better because they are heavier, thus applying more down force and scrape offf the snow better.... JMHO..

sorry for the long boring post, but i got off track afew times so i lost my train of logic. but hope i helped in your decision!!