[displacedtexancoastie]

Hey everybody. Brand new to the forum and to ATV's. I'm looking to buy my first one here pretty soon and was looking at the sportsman 550 touring with EPS. I was just wondering what everyones opinions of them are and if that front box is removable and is there a rack underneath it? also how is the power output on it? Will it handle two people and gear pretty well? Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[bgirard420]

Welcome to the forum :shakehands:

If you remove the front box, you will need to get a rack insert for it (like the non LE models have) as far as I know.

It comes off very easy too BTW. 2 plungers and it's off.



Rather be riding, instead I'm using Tapatalk

 

[displacedtexancoastie]

fantastic do you know about what the rack insert costs? also how does it handle with two people and gear? does it have enough power? and thanks for the welcome

 

[bgirard420]

Not sure, the box is about $180 so I am guessing the rack would be under $100??

Not sure on the power, kinda depends on how aggressive you ride and what kind of terrain. If just trails and logging roads ect you should be good. If you do sand or mud, the extra power of a big bore will help.

What I do know is that you will love the EPS!! Can turn the bars with 1 pinky!


Rather be riding, instead I'm using Tapatalk

 

[displacedtexancoastie]

nice, i dont plan to use it to much in the sand but maybe a little mud. I do plan to take it to the beach once though lol so i guess we'll see how well it handles it but i'll probably just ride one up for the beach. anything i should know when you first get one? i know there is a break in period but other than that is there anything you have to do? i assume all the gaskets and seals will be good from the factory?

 

[TXRonnie]

I would still give it a good going over once I got it home. It is put together on an assembly line so no gaurantees it will be perfect straight out of the crate. It should be but sometimes things are over looked.You will have plenty of power to pull 2 people with the 550. Just change your fluids on a regular basis just like your car and everything will be OK.
Where at the beach will you be riding.

Ronnie

 

[bartjude]

I have a 2012 Touring 550 EPS and have ample power for our use. Our combined weight is a little over 400 lbs and when we ride the mountains of AR we have no lack of power issues. The bike is very comfortable and the ride fantastic.

 

[displacedtexancoastie]

sounds great! i'll probably take it down to galveston tx. i think down there at san luis pass you can take vehicles on the beach. i remember going there when i was 17 and buried my 2wd ranger up to the axle in the sand lol!

 

[bartjude]

Fun times.

 

[veedubshafer]

Front rack part #5436865-070. About $95 on babbits.com.

 

[Boburk]

I would think you could find a rack someone removed for cheap I don't see where you are from, but I know I have a rack from my 2011 out in the garage.

I use babbits, but as an FYI, they will try to upcharge you for oversized shipping. Might be more expensive there than you think.

Sean

 

[displacedtexancoastie]

i'll have to check them out. so everyone is in agreement that the 550 touring is a really good choice? i think i can get it for $7299 before taxes and everything. polaris has $1000 rebate and the dealer will match the polaris rebate for military lol good price i think

 

[Boburk]

550 should be fine. Between my wife and I, we are almost 500 lbs. We ride double on my 500 X2, and her 550 X2. I can see where there might be a "want" for more power...but don't see that more power is "needed." When my wife and I go hunting, we take a rifle, blind, couple seats, bag of warm cloths, bag of corn, etc, etc with us...NP so far.

Sean

 

[Dodge_This]

I have both a 550 and 850 Touring and love them both...I got the 850 because I lied to myself and said i needed that much power...go big or go home...LOL. Really I could have lived with two 550's...lots of power

 

[Gmal]

2013 touring 550

I just bought a new 2013 sportsmen touring 550 eps and got a couple hundred miles on it. We are very satisfied. We had a 2000 sportsman 500 which had 13K on it for miles. This touring is much more stable feeling and the power steering is great. We ride all sorts of trails here in northern Maine. We have trails which were once a railroad and we have woods trails that are very hilly and rough. Like I say it handles great and the power steering is awesome. We do have enough power to meet all situations and it's great on gas. Love it!

 

[rgaz]

We bought a 2012 550 Touring with EPS a little over a year ago. I do not have a ton of experience on any ATV, we are fairly new to the game so to speak. I Had it on the Silver Lake Dunes in MI last weekend, and was able to climb every one of the Dunes. Had no issues in the deep sand. I have yet to have any issue with the power. Wife loves the rear seat. Our longest ride to date has been a little over 4 hours, and there have been no complaints. More comfortable than the X2. You will be surprised with the power