Hmmm. am I happy? Well I think my SP800 performs better then my old SP450 but and there is always a but, lol. The kind of riding I do I think I have more power and weight than really needed. To do all over again I would buy a SP700 or IF they had the 600 class maybe that. I would like the 550 with the power improvements over my former SP450.
But I think one thing I realized for me is that I really like the performance, handling and features over bigger power mainly cuz I don't farm and haul much and for what I need mine to do and the type of riding I do I may just return to mid*range.
BUT the money is spent and mods have been done. I will be content but must fully ADMIT the new technology including EPS keeps tempting me...lol...lol
Cheers,
R'
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2008 Polaris Sportsman 800 HO TWIN (STEALTH)
Great topic Caper!!! I absolutly love my Hawkeye. It gave me some new model problems when I first got it, but it has truly been a great bike. I plan on getting a 550 efi in about 2 years or less (if polaris still makes them by then) but I have no intentions of getting rid of my Hawkeye. I don't use it for any kind of work, only trail riding and it hasn't dissapointed me yet. It's slightly underpowered for my size but It'll still climb the hills .... lol, just a little slower that most. It will be perfect for my wife once I get my new one!!! ( 3 years of rough riding...2600+ miles of hauling around my big butt) and still running strong!!! I'd have to say Yes I'm happy with my Hawk!!!
__________________ 2006 Polaris Hawkeye 300 4x4
Get out and enjoy the ride!!
for myself i've had all kinds of differnt size bikes and when i switched to polaris in 99' w/ a 335 sp (way under powered for me) and went up from there. in low range pretty much any one of the sportsmans will haul, as mentioned and shown(nice pics. by the way) that they can run w/ anyone brand and or size. power comes down to speed to haul the extra weight of the sportsman. truth be known, i miss my 02' sp 500 freedom series i had. it wasnt as fast as i wanted but got way better fuel milage then my 800. although my 800 ho will wheelie in high like a bandit and will get up and go. lol. i think if i ever to trade in the future(as i havent riden enough in 2 years to even put 100 miles on) i may go down to the 550 xp but will see.
I like my Polaris's I bought a 09 X2 HO for the wife, and I have a 09 XP 850 this spring, totally different machines in feel and power. Would I tell a friend to buy one, especially the XP, no probably not, unless he was a 'do it yourselfer". I have spent alot of time fixing my" wear and tear" (polaris's opinion)front end which is really "premature failure" if you ask me. Both machines have gone over the same trails, funny how that works, X2 front end mint, XP front end trashed.
XP issues (cost out of pocket to repair about 250 bucks, steering knuckles Polaris installed, I fixed their "improper fit" after I got it back so it won't fail again
2 innner tie rod ends ( took them apart apparantly weren't sealed all that well had water stains and dry as a bone)
front brakes ( not sure how to make em last)
front discs
steering knuckles(improper ball joint to knuckle fit, fixed that)
I'm at 550 miles on the XP and 700 on the X2
The X2, top headlight harness wires wore out, harness going over radiator shorted out, found and fixed everything myself.
Oh ya and I"m a little paranoid of the EPS going out after warranty lol. These are the first quads that I have owned so I can't speak for other brands. Like I said I still like the machines but, at this time I don't feel that the XP would be for anyone with a low tolerance for this kinda crap.
However the most intresting is the big bore owners,I am a bit surprised that some will want to downsize. Maybe they really don't need the power or just getting a bit too old for all this speed,tricks and wheelie stuff!!....LOL...LOL.....Just kidding........
Great thread like reading all the replies...........Caper.........
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Sportsman 450 Blue (mine) warn and rear seat/box
Sportsman 450 Yellow Wife's STOCK
PowerMax 150cc Blue Daughters Disc,Elect St.Rev,Back up Kick St.
A/C TRV 400 2*up Inlaws.....Will not hold that against them!!!
Hello All,
I have the 08 700 X2 and would not change a thing other then the 2” lift I put on. The wife and I are big outdoors folks and love to load the ATV up and go ruff camp as we are going to do tonight now that its getting cooler here in Florida. When we started to ride our first ATV that was a 2000 500 Sportsman that was an experiment to se if we were going to enjoy it let alone use it, and the rest is history. The 500 was fine but the wife has no wants to have her own unit so this made it a little cramped when riding not to say a little unsafe. When we were ready to make the big step and get a new unit I was ready to get a machine that would fit our needs. I was going Polaris hands down and when we seen the X2 the only question was what size 500,700,800??? We as you see went with the 700 just because of the weight of the unit that is some 900lb’s. And the fact I just feel the need to take to many supplies when we camp. (Can’t use it if you don’t bring it) IMO this is the most stable and safe ATV out. In just over a year we have put 900 miles on the thing in all types on conditions with some little issues that I have posted in the past. I did put a 2” lift in it as I said because with the longer wheel base I was getting high centered a lot and this helped a bunch. All in all if your riding doubles this is what you need. With the 700 it s very strong well balanced and maneuverable when you use the turf mode, and an all day ride does not make you feel like you fell off 2 or 3 times.
Happy riding..... Remember if you bring it in take it out!
