ATV Review: 2012 Sportsman XP 850 HO with EPS

Dirt Trax Magazine Co-Publisher Motorhead Mark Lester rides Polaris' 2012 Sportsman XP 850 HO with EPS.

[boomerps]

Sportsman 850 XP is friggin unreal. Sold my 2011 Outlander for the 2013 850 XP. Love the machine and not looking back.

[negativeonhand]

Dirt trax rocks.. love the show.. Big fan down here in FL..

[Acts]

The funny thing is the whole time he is talking about it he has a tee shirt, shorts, and sandals on. :) Nice video Dirttrax, I love your videos.

[bemi]

Wow you guys are way to nice, I didn't hear any thing about over powering power steering or how you have to take part of the frame off just to change a belt

[Acts]

It is so easy to get to the belt, besides all the bolts holding the cover on it is easy. Take the tire off the two bolts that hold the frame thing on, then however many screw- bolt things there are holding the cover on. They have quite a few problems with this one other wise I loved it. I had an 2011 550 and I sold it after the first year. I loved the Polaris though, they can make it anywhere and get you back, but they are kind of highmatinence vehicles though. I loved it while it lasted though.

[wpyshneitz]

Yes but having said that, when the stars align and everything works as it should, in my experience there isn't ANY machine out there that will out offroad a Polaris.

[fike]

never had any of those issues with my 2013

[kevincameron]

Loved my 2013 Polaris Sportsman 850 XP until my frame broke after applying the brakes at 40 KM/hour on a straight logging road, taking me into a ditch and well, one surgery on my shoulder later and now suffer permanent nerve damage and have mobility issues so can only ride if whatever I'm in has a steering wheel. If you buy one of these you really need to look into the frame issues for safety reasons. Apparently, there are frame stiffeners on the market because it was an apparently identified issue - "just wish I knew that before buying."

[dankruger]

my wife has a 15' 850 touring and it seems to be a great machine. the bearing for the handle bar have a little play, but you cant tell when riding.  If it gets worse, I will confront my dealer.   She has just over 200 miles.  I will keep everyone posted if this 850 has problems.  The feeling I get with the machine is it is well built just like my 05 Polaris mv 700   If your used to them older atv's power this 850 will blow your mind on how much controllable power it has.

[gregparrott]

The Polaris power steering (PS) allows the wheels to wander more than the Can Am PS, making it less stable at speed. Try this: At a Polaris dealership, just rock the handlebars back and forth a few degrees on ATVs with and without power sterering and feel how much more you can rock the PS unit without actually turning the wheels. Polaris need to improve this, as at speed, it becomes scary.

[devinzz]

can you upload episode 8 to youtube the video portal on your site plays with sound but the add doesnt go away

[starslayer]

Not quite sure what you are using your machine for, but mine has 7600 miles on it, and still running original belt, bushings, etc. 200 miles on bushing? Funny thing, greasing them seems to prevent that. Oil in the air box huh? Ever take it to a dealer? They put out a bulletin, and dealer fixes it free. Never had problems with eps at all. Have yet to replace a single part on the machine, other than tires.

[HorsepowerGarageVideos]

Only some things are built in mexico, I live about 40 minutes from the atv plant in Iowa.

[lrgman]

can you do a review on 2016 Polaris Sportsman 1000?

[scagy]

i have a 2006 sportsman xp ho and its still pretty awesome but i wish it had power steering.

[fike]

do you stand up most of the time your riding the honda?

[JBodine]

In the "real world" where I ride, what really matters is reliability, and overall cost of operation.
Oil bathed brakes are way better over time than rear disks.
Single cylinder engines with an oil cooler is good, but most are liquid nowadays.And single cyl. is lighter and better on fuel, big time.
Individual brake controls, and a GOOD engine braking system is essential for safety, and preserving the fenders and handlebars.
Full coverage A-arm guards are essential to protect the boots and brake lines.
Carburator or fuel injection...I'll take a Mikuni carb with recoil backup starter please.Most are FI now sadly;and no recoil starter on many models.Not too good in the real world.

[coolster]

I think Polaris is nicer than Yamaha but when it comes to reliability I think Yamaha brought Polaris to shame. But do you guys think I should buy a 2014 sportsman 850 or 2014 grizzly 700 I have done much research on both machines and just can't decide on which one so need some help.

[Acts]

I think that the older Sportsman's lasted better, especially if you treated them good.

[andrew]

man I wish I could say that about my 850 D: