I actually disagree with your negative opinions on it. (Mostly) I’ve got just over 15000kms on mine (and for all the people looking for a real answer not one thing has gone wrong with it that was major, that I wasn’t at fault for). The one point I agree with you on it being a downfall is the small hitch. The weight is great. Gets tires down into traction while plowing snow or get through some hard pack snow. The gear shifter, may at times be difficult. But throwing your weight back and forth just a bit solves the issue. But what I love, and hope to change some opinions on it. Is if you’re in a situation where you’re in revers and need to go into high faster than removing your hand from the throttle position, you can in fact use your knee to shift for you. It’s easy and fast. The overall size is what I think draws people to it as it gives a lot of stability through turns at higher speeds and the weight of the machine actually complements it in this aspect. You get more of a floating effect through rough stuff at speeds and slower. Where I find a lighter machine that’s narrower will be a lot more sketchy at speeds through the same trail. That’s all. Thanks for reading.
I have the exact same machine. After a week of riding the shifting is bang on no complaints and for storage all machines are give and take. It just comes down to personal preference. But the power under that seat is in believable and yes sitting on it I’ve been out all day and it’s the most comfortable out of anything I’ve ridden
I’m new to Polaris in 2017 !! And out of all the quads I have had, l find that the Polaris is the most comfortable machine !!! And that 1000 motor is stupid fast and powerful
I have the same machine and absolutely love it. The shifting loosens up a bit after some use but I do find myself searching for the gear i want from time to time.
I have a 2015 850 SP EPS. It is essentially the same machine. If I had to make a 5 like and 5 dislike list, I probably would have given the same results.
I’ve got a 2021 Ultimate trail (first year they came out). Almost 3 years later and she’s still a champ! The shifter makes sense if you think about it. I use my knee to fling it forward into high and I f it wasn’t hard to use, it would just pop in and out of gear during rough terrain etc. IMO, it’s the perfect beginner ATV. Enough power for the experienced rider, but smooth enough for a newbie. Also super comfortable and the independent suspension make it hard to flip over. I plow with mine, trail ride it, jump it, give kids wagon rides, and etc. Only think I would upgrade too would be a 1000, but I ended up with a Raptor 700rr to take care of that itch for me :)
We just bought on for snow pushing to replace a 2004 Sportsman. So far I agree with your dislike of the small receiver hitch. But if that's all there is to complain about and it's as solid as the 2004 has been, well it is a healthy chunk of change but appears to be worth it.
Old CanAm user but after i got my Sportsman S i am all in on that one. It´s a damn dop atv and Polaris did a solid job on the S Scrambler and SPortsman. :)
I have the same machine and agree with all of the love and hate. My complaints are the shifter should be more like the scrambler and the rear storage should be like the older models with access from the back.
Is that windrock in Oliver Springs? I grew up riding on that area...nothing like going to the top where the windmills are in the winter with snow falling. We would camp and ride all weekend...get the season pass.
Agreed … I have the same unit and it’s a beast! From technical rides to full send this rig will get you where you want to go. The small hitch it a miss by Polaris and storage capacity is poor at best. Surprised the notes weight as an issue - it’s only slightly heavier than the 570. Weight distribution and balance is good - ride quality is excellent! No question about the gear box… it is STIFF!! CanAm’s selector is buttery and Polaris needs to improve here. I’d feel confident putting a first time rider on the 850… solid and safe machine to learn on. Overall great ride and value… priced equal to machines in the same class.
Lol his pros and cons are on point. But pros definitely out weigh the cons. I own one of these, its an amazing piece of machine. I am adding a lift to mine. Felt it needs to be just a smidge higher.
😂 I am a brand new rider and I bought 2 of the 850 sportsman and I love them. What can I do to make my gear shifter easier to go out of park, both of mine are kinda hard but once I get it into the other gears it's smooth and easy?
I couldn't agree more with the gear selector and hitch reciever hates. I have been patiently waiting for Polaris to address these 2 things before I make a purchase... maybe the 2025 models???
Do not get a grizzly unless you like an unbelievable amount of squish and roll in the suspension. I went with the 850 ultimate trail and it was worth every penny. Super plush ride yet suspension is perfect. I put 1000 miles on it this summer in the backcountry trails of North Idaho and it’s an absolute monster. Perfect ride.
I had that same question, I went with polaris. It's no debate now. Sportsman ultimate trail is the way to go. I straight up feel like a king on my polaris.
The only thing this review has stated that is true is the fact that this isn’t the machine for you if you are new to 4 wheelers. If the price is too high….maybe don’t buy a twin cylinder machine with 78+ horsepower. Your not going to find a machine with this much power being in a smaller package. It’s a big boy toy for sure!
Top hate for me - BELT LOCATION IS TRASH!! shifter is huge and obnoxious, Rear sway bar touching the springs. Other than that it's just a good overpriced machine. If the belt ever breaks while trail riding it is going to be no fun at all to try and switch it.
I have 23 850 trail and i guess i have missed the can am with more but in storage... It's really the only other option in my book other a Polaris. If your looking for a beginner machine that people of all different riding abilities could use safely, why would you look to one of the bigger ones anyway?? And 3rd if your not interested in the fancy shit like high clearance A-arms and bigger tires then get a less aggressive machine as well. If you think about it they offer one at each price point and each size based on your want/need. It's probably why they have the market cornered in their favor. And one last thing, the whole 2"hitch receiver argument is dumb, it's Max tow is 1500lbs, why put a 2"receiver on it. Do what everyone does and put a 2" ball and your good... I feel like i shouldn't have watched your video
I bought a ‘22 Polaris 850 Sportman for our farm and use it gently. Other farmers recommended we buy a Honda. Well, I wanted to buy an American brand. Stupid me, this machine constantly needs to go to the shop for indicator lights issues. It’s junk! I’ll be buying Hondas going forward.
@ThomasJeffersonIII I search a 200 mile radius from where I live when searching atvs. Out the door prices can vary up to 2,500 dollars for the same atv depending on the fees.
I have a 2020 sportsman 850 I love the plush ride I love the power I love the capabilities but once a month, something breaks on it I still love this machine. I use it I abuse it. I have fun with it. I work it. I maintain it. I hate fixing it once a month.✌️❤️🍻
I actually disagree with your negative opinions on it. (Mostly)
I’ve got just over 15000kms on mine (and for all the people looking for a real answer not one thing has gone wrong with it that was major, that I wasn’t at fault for).
The one point I agree with you on it being a downfall is the small hitch.
The weight is great. Gets tires down into traction while plowing snow or get through some hard pack snow.
The gear shifter, may at times be difficult. But throwing your weight back and forth just a bit solves the issue. But what I love, and hope to change some opinions on it. Is if you’re in a situation where you’re in revers and need to go into high faster than removing your hand from the throttle position, you can in fact use your knee to shift for you. It’s easy and fast.
The overall size is what I think draws people to it as it gives a lot of stability through turns at higher speeds and the weight of the machine actually complements it in this aspect. You get more of a floating effect through rough stuff at speeds and slower.
Where I find a lighter machine that’s narrower will be a lot more sketchy at speeds through the same trail.
That’s all.
Thanks for reading.
I have the exact same machine. After a week of riding the shifting is bang on no complaints and for storage all machines are give and take. It just comes down to personal preference. But the power under that seat is in believable and yes sitting on it I’ve been out all day and it’s the most comfortable out of anything I’ve ridden
I’m new to Polaris in 2017 !! And out of all the quads I have had, l find that the Polaris is the most comfortable machine !!! And that 1000 motor is stupid fast and powerful
I have the same machine and absolutely love it. The shifting loosens up a bit after some use but I do find myself searching for the gear i want from time to time.
I have a 2015 850 SP EPS. It is essentially the same machine. If I had to make a 5 like and 5 dislike list, I probably would have given the same results.
I’ve pulled more than 1500 lb with my 04 500 ho.
I’ve got a 2021 Ultimate trail (first year they came out). Almost 3 years later and she’s still a champ! The shifter makes sense if you think about it. I use my knee to fling it forward into high and I f it wasn’t hard to use, it would just pop in and out of gear during rough terrain etc.
IMO, it’s the perfect beginner ATV. Enough power for the experienced rider, but smooth enough for a newbie. Also super comfortable and the independent suspension make it hard to flip over.
I plow with mine, trail ride it, jump it, give kids wagon rides, and etc. Only think I would upgrade too would be a 1000, but I ended up with a Raptor 700rr to take care of that itch for me :)
We just bought on for snow pushing to replace a 2004 Sportsman. So far I agree with your dislike of the small receiver hitch. But if that's all there is to complain about and it's as solid as the 2004 has been, well it is a healthy chunk of change but appears to be worth it.
Old CanAm user but after i got my Sportsman S i am all in on that one. It´s a damn dop atv and Polaris did a solid job on the S Scrambler and SPortsman. :)
I have the same machine and agree with all of the love and hate. My complaints are the shifter should be more like the scrambler and the rear storage should be like the older models with access from the back.
I don’t have one yet, but run Polaris sleds, with the lack of snow in wisconsin , im getting two 850’s for me and my wife
How did the bushings not make the top 5?
Is that windrock in Oliver Springs? I grew up riding on that area...nothing like going to the top where the windmills are in the winter with snow falling. We would camp and ride all weekend...get the season pass.
Not much to hate about these, I have one and love it. It is plushest riding quad made and I have owned them all. Has serious nut too.
Agreed … I have the same unit and it’s a beast! From technical rides to full send this rig will get you where you want to go.
The small hitch it a miss by Polaris and storage capacity is poor at best.
Surprised the notes weight as an issue - it’s only slightly heavier than the 570. Weight distribution and balance is good - ride quality is excellent!
No question about the gear box… it is STIFF!! CanAm’s selector is buttery and Polaris needs to improve here.
I’d feel confident putting a first time rider on the 850… solid and safe machine to learn on.
Overall great ride and value… priced equal to machines in the same class.
I'll use it for plowing snow
My only complaint is the small trailer hitch !! Should be 2” for sure
I agree. But I still bought it lol
Lol his pros and cons are on point. But pros definitely out weigh the cons. I own one of these, its an amazing piece of machine. I am adding a lift to mine. Felt it needs to be just a smidge higher.
😂 I am a brand new rider and I bought 2 of the 850 sportsman and I love them. What can I do to make my gear shifter easier to go out of park, both of mine are kinda hard but once I get it into the other gears it's smooth and easy?
Honestly just grip it hard and pull back. People are use to easy gear shift in q car, but these bad boys want some effort, and that's ok
👍👍
I couldn't agree more with the gear selector and hitch reciever hates. I have been patiently waiting for Polaris to address these 2 things before I make a purchase... maybe the 2025 models???
It's worth the buy now. Pros out way the cons.
I am planning on buying a quad in a few months and I can't decide if I want the 850 or a Grizzly. I would like to see a good comparision
Do not get a grizzly unless you like an unbelievable amount of squish and roll in the suspension. I went with the 850 ultimate trail and it was worth every penny. Super plush ride yet suspension is perfect. I put 1000 miles on it this summer in the backcountry trails of North Idaho and it’s an absolute monster. Perfect ride.
Brute forces are good imo also
I had that same question, I went with polaris. It's no debate now. Sportsman ultimate trail is the way to go. I straight up feel like a king on my polaris.
I love Polaris. My only worry is reliability. I don’t want to spend $10k-$12k on something unreliable.
So far so good.
The only thing this review has stated that is true is the fact that this isn’t the machine for you if you are new to 4 wheelers.
If the price is too high….maybe don’t buy a twin cylinder machine with 78+ horsepower. Your not going to find a machine with this much power being in a smaller package. It’s a big boy toy for sure!
It's a big boy machine for sure, but so beautifully built a new person could drive it.
One problem.....CVT....
You would think, but it's don't pretty good thus far.
Top hate for me - BELT LOCATION IS TRASH!! shifter is huge and obnoxious, Rear sway bar touching the springs. Other than that it's just a good overpriced machine. If the belt ever breaks while trail riding it is going to be no fun at all to try and switch it.
Rear sway bar doesn’t touch the springs on mine.
I have 23 850 trail and i guess i have missed the can am with more but in storage... It's really the only other option in my book other a Polaris. If your looking for a beginner machine that people of all different riding abilities could use safely, why would you look to one of the bigger ones anyway?? And 3rd if your not interested in the fancy shit like high clearance A-arms and bigger tires then get a less aggressive machine as well. If you think about it they offer one at each price point and each size based on your want/need. It's probably why they have the market cornered in their favor. And one last thing, the whole 2"hitch receiver argument is dumb, it's Max tow is 1500lbs, why put a 2"receiver on it. Do what everyone does and put a 2" ball and your good... I feel like i shouldn't have watched your video
I bought a ‘22 Polaris 850 Sportman for our farm and use it gently. Other farmers recommended we buy a Honda. Well, I wanted to buy an American brand. Stupid me, this machine constantly needs to go to the shop for indicator lights issues. It’s junk! I’ll be buying Hondas going forward.
Plus its way overpriced.
@ThomasJeffersonIII I search a 200 mile radius from where I live when searching atvs. Out the door prices can vary up to 2,500 dollars for the same atv depending on the fees.
Every compatible machine is right around the same price.
I have a 2020 sportsman 850 I love the plush ride I love the power I love the capabilities but once a month, something breaks on it I still love this machine. I use it I abuse it. I have fun with it. I work it. I maintain it. I hate fixing it once a month.✌️❤️🍻
Most importantly, you spend more time and money fixing it instead of riding. NO THANKS!