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2009 Polaris Sportsman 550XP & 850XP Utility ATV Ride Review

2009 Polaris Sportsman 550XP & 850XP Utility ATV Ride Review

Sportsman 550XP & 850XP
Utility ATV Links
Polaris Sportsman XP 550 850 Utility ATV
2009 Polaris Sportsman 550XP & 850XP Utility ATV
Millville, MN - Polaris has sold over a million Sportsman Utility ATV models since its debut and will continue to grow by leaps and bonds, and 2009 will be no different, with a list of firsts for the Sportsman lineup being bigger and better than ever. Polaris has been hard at work. They have been reworking last years Sportsman 700 and 800 models, they have been designing an all new (Well almost all new the shift knob from the 2008 models will be returning for 2009) pair of Sportsman’s. Polaris has introduced the new Sportsman XP850 and Sportsman XP550 Sport utility ATV.

The Sportsman XP 850 and XP 550 have new chassis that feature a dual a-arm front suspension with preload adjustable progressive dual rate spring shocks providing 9” of wheel travel. The dual a-arm front suspension has less camber and toe change through its travel which helps to reduce bump steer compared to the previous single a-arm and strut design of years past. The rear dual a-arm independent suspension has also been updated to Polaris’s Rolled IRS system. The Rolled IRS rear suspension is designed to allow the rear wheels to move in an up and rearward direction. The Rolled IRS results in a plusher ride with less feedback being transferred into the chassis when coming into contact with square edge obstacles. The Rear suspension on the Sportsman XP also has preload adjustable progressive dual rate spring shocks, which provide 10.25” of wheel travel.

Polaris Sportsman XP 550 850 Utility ATV
Polaris Sportsman XP 550 850 Utility ATV

The Polaris Sportsman XP Features Dual A-Arms Front & Rear with 9" of Travel up front & 10.25" of travel in the rear. The Sportsman XP also has an impressive 12" of ground clearance

Polaris Sportsman XP 550 850 Utility ATV
The Polaris Sportsman Feature large 14" cast aluminum wheels
To further improve the ride and handling of these two new models Polaris designed new 14” wheels with a large offset. This offset moves the centerline of the ball joints as far to the outer edge of the wheel as possible further reducing bump steer. These 14” wheels provide plenty of room for new larger brake rotors front and rear. Steering an ATV with a loaded front rack or while using an optional front plow has always been a chore. Polaris has designed a power steering system that implements a small brushless DC motor. This power steering system is the most powerful available and provides a variable assist with more assist at lower speeds and reduced assist at higher speeds. Class leading suspension travel and the most ground clearance at 12” is sure to make Sportsman XP 850 and XP 550 a very trail worthy pair.

Rider comfort not only comes from a well handling chassis but from proper well thought out ergonomics. A well-tuned CVT transmission has always been a key feature on the Sportsman lineup but with previous engine and transmission configurations, the CVT cover protruded into the riders left foot well. The CVT cover created a awkward foot position with the left leg been forced farther out than the right leg. In an effort to balance the rider’s leg position and to provide a narrower more controlled stance Polaris rotated the engine in the new Sportsman 90 degrees which positioned the CVT to the rear of the ATV. The new engine arrangement decreased the mid section width of the Sportsman by 8 inches.

Polaris Sportsman XP 550 850 Utility ATV
Polaris Sportsman XP 550 850 Utility ATV

Polaris Rotated the engine on the Sportsman XP Models to allow for a narrower mid-section chassis to improve rider comfort, and it also allows for easy maintenance with the spark plugs, oil fill, and more easily accessible by removing the fender panels

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