durability of the new polaris 850 xp

docholliday · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 12:33 PM

I have been looking at the ATV market and have narrowed my choices down to Polaris. I have ridden on and have enjoyed the Sportsman HO series. I have read that the XP series is superior in ergonomics and technical features though, so I am considering paying the extra for what the XP series offers.

All that being said, I have seen a few complaints about bushings in the front end of the XP series being weak and some of the other components not being as of high quality as some normally expected from Polaris. I have also seen it said that the XP series has yet to prove itself as it is only a few years old.

As I will buy something which I plan to take care of and ride for many years, I wondered if you XP owners could give me your honest opinions on what you feel the durability and quality of the XP series. Has it met your expectations? Have you encountered problems which you think you should not have? Are you generally satisfied and would you purchase it again?

Many thanks.

Lollygagger77 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 12:50 PM

Mine is only a couple months old but 450 miles and no issues (knock on wood, LOL) And the XP's have been out there for I think 4 years now so I think they finally have most the kinks worked out of them... And as long as you take care if it and maintain it and keep the fluids changed and the zerks greased you should not have any issues! Side note, all machines (kawi, yammy, Can-am, etc... ) will have their issues here and there....

EDIT: oops forgot to answer your question; YES 100% would buy another, looking at a 550 for the wife as we speak!

xp74 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 01:05 PM

I have 125 hours and 1900 miles on my '10 550 and have not have any problems. The only money i've had to stick into it were for accesories and oil. I don't beat the hell out of it,but I don't baby it either.

jd1 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 01:59 PM

i just bought my 850 xp about a amonth and a half ago,i love this thing very stable on steep grades and powers up inclines easy. the ride is perfect the only issues i have had is the active descent control making grinding noise still waiting on dealer to fix it on warrenty. should know something by the end of the week. and yes i would buy another again.

golf12 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 02:18 PM

I have my 2010 850 touring since oct 2010.. Not one problem with this machine so far.. I'm no mechanic and this was my 1st atv.. Coming from no experience, I've done all of my own service and find it quite easy to work on as well.. The inside upper front grease zerks are the only design flaw I can personally point to.. (just tough to get at).. Seems to me that the only folks that have big problems (yes there are exceptions so I don't mean everyone) are the ones that thrash the machine in deep water and mud.. Axles breaking - going through bushings and tie rod ends every few hundred k's etc.. That generally comes from spinning the wheels hard doing the mud/water thing excessively and taking flight on the machine.. Break the machine in properly. Be diligent with and enjoy!..

bellracing2 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 02:33 PM

I do not ride in mud , only trails and mine did not hold up . all the a arm bushings were wasted and 1 cv was going bad . all this in 540 miles . I do ride agressively , but that is what the machine was designed for . supposedly ! the chassis would not hold up to what I dished out , I have had multiple value line polarass atv's and have not had any problems with them . the value line is not even close to being as comfortable as the xp chassis though . I really wish the xp would have held up better , but it did not . it was maintained properly , and broken in properly and the engine ran beautiful ! tons of hp ! I got rid of mine and went back to a sport atv , something that I know will handle the way I ride . hope this helps . by the way , mine was 7100 + tax for a 2011 xp 850 no powersteering .

gtsum2 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 03:00 PM

all machines have their issues, no matter what the brand. There are always tradeoffs it seems. Polaris has the most comfy ride and most suspension travel..they also weigh the most (that could be good or bad depending), Can Am has the most power, but there are ESP and frame issues, Kawi's are a bit more raw (brutal low end power and fun to drive aggressively..rode my first one yesterday), Yamaha is a very good all around bike, but they have shorter wheelbase and to me, feel quite tippy and unstable in off camber situations. Honda is reliable, but way behind in power and features. Generally speaking, the Polaris quads are a lot of bike for the money. The Xp chassis is much more refined then the value series. I bought mine (Sportsman) in Feb this year, and I am going to sell it and get something else (quicker, faster, better handling, etc, etc). They are all good bikes...it just depends on what you are looking for. Test ride as many as you can and pick what feels the best to you and have fun!

Wolverine · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 04:28 PM

I have a 2010 850 Touring since Sept 2010. Aside from regular oil and greasing I have only replace the belt ( preventative maintenance) and now have changed the brake pads. I have 2 lower ball joints that I will change within a few days. The machine has been great and I don not regret buying it.

xOUTLAWx · #9 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 04:33 PM

the XP's beat the value line in every way you can think for serious trail riding.

I was talking with my dealer last week and comparing brands. He sells polaris, yamaha, suzuki and artic cat. He strait told me XP's are high maintenance bikes and I asked him why. He said bushings are the first thing to go, then for some riders the ball joints. Count in the fact that you need 4 different oils for the maintenance. But overall he was very positive about them.

He said they have the best ride and are the most fun to ride out there(power) but they aren't machine you store in the garage after the ride until the next.

xOUTLAWx · #10 (**permalink**) 06-25-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtsum2

all machines have their issues, no matter what the brand. There are always tradeoffs it seems. Polaris has the most comfy ride and most suspension travel..they also weigh the most (that could be good or bad depending), Can Am has the most power, but there are ESP and frame issues, Kawi's are a bit more raw (brutal low end power and fun to drive aggressively..rode my first one yesterday), Yamaha is a very good all around bike, but they have shorter wheelbase and to me, feel quite tippy and unstable in off camber situations. Honda is reliable, but way behind in power and features. Generally speaking, the Polaris quads are a lot of bike for the money. The Xp chassis is much more refined then the value series. I bought mine (Sportsman) in Feb this year, and I am going to sell it and get something else (quicker, faster, better handling, etc, etc). They are all good bikes...it just depends on what you are looking for. Test ride as many as you can and pick what feels the best to you and have fun!

What model are you going for?