Is the Polaris Sportsman Fun to Ride?

In today's video I share my first experience riding a new Polaris Sportsman 850. I was a bit skeptical at first due to the sheer size of this thing but it was surprisingly more capable than I expected! Connor and I explored Gypsum City OHV Park and quad swapped a few times. At the end of the day I'm a sport quad guy but the Sportsman definitely can hold its own in the fun factor department.
400ex Shirt Preorder petehager.com/products/red-40...
Winter Ride at Gypsum City • First Ride at Gypsum C...
2004 Honda 400ex
Rossier R4 Full Exhaust petehager.com/products/copy-o...
Houser Racing Steering Stem petehager.com/products/houser...
Urmosi 720 SBC Clamps petehager.com/products/copy-o...
Urmosi Factory Edition Throttle petehager.com/products/urmosi...
Pro Taper Contour Fat Bars www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
Motion Pro +2 Throttle Cable
1987 Honda 250x Clutch Cable
Factory 43 front bumper
Dynajet Jet Kit www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
DRW Chain Slide petehager.com/products/drw-ch...
DRW Swing Arm Plate petehager.com/products/drw-sw...
DRW Full Belly Skid petehager.com/products/drw-fu...
DRW Rotor Guard petehager.com/products/drw-ro...
DRW Sprocket Guard petehager.com/products/drw-re...
DRW Case Saver petehager.com/products/drw-ca...
Pro Taper Universal Clutch Lever www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
K&N Air Filter www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
Outerwears Pre Filter Cover www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
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Primary Drive X-Ring Chain www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
Primary Drive Front Sprocket www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
Primary Drive Rear Sprocket www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
Primary Drive Chain Roller www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
Alba Nerf Bars
Alba Gas Cap
Time Stamps
0:00-1:49 Intro
1:50-9:00 First Impressions
9:01-11:11 400ex Swap
11:12-13:12 Heading Back
13:13-13:46 Powerslide Sequence
13:47-14:59 Back to Entrance
15:00-16:28 Found Some Jumps
16:29-18:22 Quad Swap Return
18:23-19:06 Outro
Music sourced through epidemic sound
Outro song "Racing Hearts" by Mattie Maguire
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#savesportquads

[@jacescott8525]

It would be cool to really see somone ripping a utility/sport quad

[@rotz357]

I do that all the time

[@thekingflea2199]

@@rotz357 fr i whip everything like a quad

[@madmanmurph]

@@thekingflea2199 fr lmao

[@Cwmarlowe]

It's nice to see you on a different machine. I enjoy watching you ride the sport quads more

[@TheReal_Vossi]

Looking to buy a Sportsman, which is why I’m here. As a long time two wheel fiend, it’s COMICAL watching you talk up quads as if they’re difficult to operate.

[@PeteHager]

They're more dangerous than bikes so you gotta respect em 👌

[@Davido50]

Pete Hager is at it again! Good job sir👍💯

[@Dirtweed]

Nice to see someone really ride a Utility Quad. I started out on trikes then my 88 TRX250R I bought new and have ridden sport quads up to my current 2013 Z400 and 2014 TRX450R. I'm looking at the 2023/24 Sportsman 850 Ultimate Trail. You video convinced me that I'll still enjoy riding it.

[@AverageRisk]

You make any quad look good. MN resident here, keep up the good videos.

[@floridatrailrider305]

That sportsman is pretty impressive for its size and weight. Great video Pete!

[@Yan7001978]

😄 "It's doesnt want to wheelie" Raptor owner said! I really like your work👍

[@newfonewhodis5156]

this video is quality and i like connor and petes voice over👍🏻

[@NWO-Off-Road]

My parents each have their own Sportsman 570’s.. I do have to say, they really are like a Cadillac to ride and are super fun! There is just nothing that compares to the feeling of a sport quad ripping through the gears for me! Also, super cool to hear Connor riding/vlogging too!

[@clarknawrocki9718]

People who bad mouth polaris are idiots who have never owned one I only buy polaris wheelers for over 20 years and never had problems

[@Jimbo718Slice]

my late grandpa had a polaris ace 570 that was featured on my channel about 7 years ago. thing was an absolute blast to ride next to sport quads, completely different experience for sure but still fun and was easy enough to drive for a 70+ y/o grandpa to keep up people 1/4 his age on our sport quads of the time. ive quite honestly had fun riding anything from a fully built race quads to utility quads and even a simple pull start mini bike for the yard to mess around on.

[@ericb2780]

Awesome video. I actually own both machines, 21 Sportsman 850 and an 07 400ex. They both rip but you work a lot harder on the 400. I’m almost 41, last spring at Hatfield McCoy rode the 400 one day and sportsman the rest. It’s like riding the couch and you can still have fun. On a one day riding trip I’m taking the 400 every time.

[@MrZrazies]

I thought of buying brand new Polaris like that then few days later, came across 2002 Polaris scrambler 400cc 4x4 in mint condition and owner asked for $3,200 and talked to him into sell me for $2,850. He agreed. Wiseco piston. Racing pipe. Carb. Bore out. Oil deleted. Brand new mud tires. Body has original on it. I thought can’t be. Wow. Took it for test drive. Everything is perfect so I brought it and rode it around. It just perfect for me. Got REALLY luck on it.

[@rubengonzales7739]

Very cool video thanks for showing.Stay safe!

[@mohammedahmed5563]

Can’t wait to watch your video

[@theriorider8002]

It's nice trying something new.great video

[@BrewerOffroad]

Connor calling Pete a nerd literally made me laugh out loud 🤣

[@longboardguy]

Awsome video looks like the new Sportsman is a beast still. I’ve got the 2016 Sportsman 850 HO SP. It has a lot of grunt and it’s super comfy. I’m wanting to get back into a sport atv now though thanks a lot of it to your channel Pete I grew up riding them and into my young 20’s. I’ll keep the Sportsman also though as I’m 34 and like the slower trail riding sometimes also haha. Cheers 🇨🇦👍. Also that looks like a nice OhV park to explore. We don’t really have those around here but lots and lots of trails on crown land

[@jitsnydzer6302]

having owned several sport quads over the years and then recently buying a used kodiak 700 for my son to drive when we go riding. It amazed me how much of a difference the IRS makes handling wise and how capable the even "economy tuned" 700cc engine is. Things that my solid axle LTZ400 would have bucked hard off of the kodiak just soaks it up without you even feeling the ground under the wheels. I think the manufacturers are really leaving a market untouched with these machines like the scramblers being crazy decked out with features and 1000 lbs. If they just offered a "lightweight" gutted version that was way more sport oriented I don't believe they would have trouble selling them. They could make them competitively priced by using a lot of the same parts and just dropping a lot of features like the front diff and all the electronics and utility features. They may even take over the sport quad market since there only competition would be the rarely upgraded yamahas. I would have bought myself an 850 scrambler if the thing didn't weight 900lbs ready to ride.

[@PeteHager]

Those are are all great points and a pretty awesome idea with a leaner, more sport oriented model of the Scrambler. I think any manufacturer that jumps in the mix with a new Sport ATV won't have any trouble selling them. Hopefully someday! #savesportquads 🤘

[@rickyhernandez995]

You’ll end up loving the comfort I love and stand by savesportquads but the sportsmans are very capable and comfortable machines to ride almost effortlessly.

[@madmanmurph]

I have a sportsman 570, and once you lose control they’re pretty easy to get back under control, they ride so nice and smooth

[@tannerosterheld4596]

Need more Connor commentary! 😂

[@philipphilip2174]

Great job! Love to have one

[@austinatv1247]

My best friend and I ride that exact 850, and a ‘22 XP1000. I’d recommend stiffening the springs a little bit. We got those things to do wheelies over Woops in the sand dunes while passing side by sides lol.

[@27Zangle]

I’d imagine if this Polaris has been in your stable all summer most of your footage has already been shot. I would be interested to see some lap times between the sports quad, anyone of them is fine since it is for giggles and the Polaris after you are well adjusted and experienced with it. Same with some race footage / drag times for more giggles if you have not already done so. Great video! I love both machines. I want a sport quad and my wife thinks we should get something like the Polaris since she can not operate a clutch reliably anymore.

[@jlinkhart]

I have a 2017 sportsman 850sp and I rip it just as hard as I would on a sport quad. It is an animal. You can fly through rough and rocky trails too.

[@PeteHager]

I felt like I was cheating at times 😂🤘

[@HighSpeedTV]

Dang dude you are in my neck of the woods at Gypsum. Hope i catch you there some day, would be fun to blast around!!

[@gabriel.m_hunt]

Ofc it is, anything with wheels and power is gonna be fun

[@digger_jon2778]

I've had them all my raptor can't be replaced the power and size is perfect

[@22mpb]

I hear ya. I’ve got a fully built 07 Trx 450, it’s a 502 now. That’s the best quad I’ve ever owned/rode.

[@michaelkopischke6468]

LET’S GO!!!!

[@rickyhernandez995]

🤘🏽🤘🏽letss goo love my 20 1000xp

[@evanwilliams2602]

My brother just got a 2020 sportsman 850 eps and one the most fun you can really have they run and almost handle sport like .

[@queasyislander0274]

All quads are fun to ride!

[@LVCMTB]

Bellissimo 😍

[@pestilencec11]

570 is a blast. Just a tad heavy.

[@calsnow6807]

Is one of the best four-wheelers ever made any fun to ride? finally someone willing to ask the really tuff questions haha

[@MatthewC137]

The best handling utility quad is the much lighter Yamaha Grizzly which has the Raptor engine. It also has a way better transmission with none of that "spooling" that you mentioned. However, it definitely does not have the power of that 850 twin.

[@Travisj9935]

Put a GSE muffler on it. It gets deep and aggressive! I purchased a 2021 Sportsman 850 after owning a modded Yamaha 450r. The 850 was alot of fun. You can actually off-road with it unlike the sports quads.

[@dominicbrambrink2764]

You should definently try the can am renegade 1000, it will give you a bit more of a spirt feel on the bigger platform. And the thing to love about can am over polaris is the low end power and ability to handle rough riding. Many say the harder you ride a can am or ski doo the better they perform.

[@robinsonjay12]

He has videos riding one

[@joselemus6677]

You have to try the sportsman 1000 it’s something else

[@EghY_1]

yo you are the best

[@garyc3119]

Man I know your sore after that ride! I just ripped the 700 grizzly like that and I couldn't move for 2 days! Heavy bikes! Falling out from under you tearing at ur shoulders. Smh. I would do it again tom 🤣

[@Hondarider35]

Make sure you do a Facebook short or KZbin short of you jumping the sportsman.

[@factionfx]

I know there are die hards like Pete out there, but once you ride an IRS ATV with automatic, it would be hard to go back. Allows many of us to ride well above our skill level

[@carlossantiago6690]

You just wanted a Polaris 850 after seeing mine at Little Sahara 😂 #baddecision 💪🏻

[@PeteHager]

lol caught me 😂

[@Mr.1-OAK]

👌👌👌

[@boyinahat3770]

We all make mistakes when riding and when learning I tried to climb my house on a dirt bike lol

[@that_400ex_guy7]

The quads you can have the most fun on are the quads that you have to work for to ride. Sure you can have fun on anything, but a little utility 250 with blown out suspension is a whole different amount of fun 😂

[@jaretaustin14]

Ya nothing says fun like going slow and getting the crap beat out of you 😒

[@that_400ex_guy7]

@@jaretaustin14 don’t knock it till you try it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jaretaustin14]

@@that_400ex_guy7 I have. Have you tried a 1k cc 91hp 4x4 with insanely good suspension?

[@that_400ex_guy7]

@@jaretaustin14 I have

[@that_400ex_guy7]

@@jaretaustin14 I wasn’t being rude lol. I guess we all find fun in different things.

[@kelevra558]

I liked the 800cc engine better. It had such a unique sound

[@fordtraxxas]

The Polaris makes good power and rides really smooth. But the xxc 1000 can am has more power and is far more aggressive and more sporty to ride.

[@sknails2723]

Can u compare it with the Outlander? Pros and Cons?

[@Outlander18]

Where is this located? Would you prefer Outlander XXC or this Polaris?

[@MxShee]

Go back to the library, nerd! Haha Connor should always have a camera from now on. 😝

[@leadslinger27]

I will only buy the touring sportsman. I’ve had both and there is a huge difference. The 1000 is a waste of money, the 850 touring is a near perfect balance of length width and gogo. If you love the Yam griz comfort, the touring polaris will make sense to you. Wish these guys had more time on more bikes with more info to make this long of a video.

[@PeteHager]

I appreciate the info! This video is more for entertainment's sake than being a full on review with specifications on the machine. I have very limited experience with the 4X4 segment lol. Thank you for watching! 👍

[@Hondarider35]

Put the sportsman in high gear and it will pull the front end up no issue. Also wish I would have known you was gonna be there I would have drive up to ride with you. I have buddies that live there that can show us around.

[@jaretaustin14]

Good luck with that unless youre 300lbs. I got a scrambler 1k with tune, exhaust, and clutch kit, only way youre gonna get that front end up is with a kicker. A canam 1k on the other hand... ya thatll wheelie super easy stock

[@jaydenlobbezoo1971]

What would be your opinion on a "more of a sport quad " based on a scrambler or renegade. Lighter, 2x4, 850 but big 2-cyl and cvt

[@jaretaustin14]

You cant have that big of a motor, cvt, and 4x4 without having it that heavy. You would just be constantly having stuff break

[@LolliWANG505]

Where do you ride?/ what type of riding?

[@PeteHager]

I think the Renegade feels a bit sportier then the Scrambler because it's narrower and more nimble but it's also less stable. They both have ton's of power so that's not an issue. If I was to get one I would probably lean Renegade but I would love it if Polaris hooked us up with a Scrambler so I could get a bit more seat time on one

[@AGGKX]

Time will tell how it holds up. I've owned 4 sportsman's and they were all junk, my last one was a 2015 570. I switched to yamaha after a friend of mine let me ride his 2009 grizzly 700 with 9,000 miles on it and all he had replaced was one axle shaft.

[@staygold902]

Yup there junk. The power blows them apart. After what my friend went through with his I'd never buy one. He basically broke something ever other trip. Spent more time fixing it then driving it

[@PeeterPuncher]

Really I can never understand how some have so many issues.... my 2018 570 has almost 6,000 miles of trails, dunes, plowing and some mud riding. Its had Wheel bearings, 2 belts and regular greasings and oils maintenence. Still can wheelie, crank at 64-5 mph and get 80 miles to a tank. Been a great quad for me.

[@subshooting8414]

Pete, if you could only keep one of your sport quads, which would you pick?

[@PeteHager]

Definitely the Raptor 700, it's probably the best all around machine I've ridden. If you're strictly track riding and jumping I would lean towards the YFZR for that 👍

[@subshooting8414]

Thanks@@PeteHager I keep going back and forth between the 400ex and raptor. But just something about that raptor I like.

[@ajbertelson9871]

Now do a utility montage video cleaning up the track at your parents house with it. And then rip the trails.

[@PeteHager]

Lol I rode it down there once. We returned it a couple weeks ago, I'm hoping they give us a scrambler. I'll be able to make more content with one of those machines 🤞

[@Aizman87]

My sportsman has 14inches of suspension travel. Dunno why this one is less..

[@TheTyronix]

can you ride a Can Am Renegade 650 oder 1000 this atv much more sport then sportsman or scrambler

[@PeteHager]

I can try to hop on my friend Mikes Renegade for a longer ride next time we go for a rip. If Polaris hooks us up with a Scrambler I'll definitely be making videos with it!

[@TheTyronix]

@@PeteHager yeah sure why not, who wouldn't do that

[@Bournefort]

It's too bad Polaris doesn't make a sport quad with a manual transmission. I have their Scrambler 1000XP and it is a blast to ride but I would rather ride a manual sport quad at half the speed. More calculation, more rider/machine connection, more planning going into each turn, more FUN.

[@PeteHager]

Running the engine is half the fun with the pure sports for sure. Plus it's fun to run the clutch and use it in certain situations 👌

[@roofer850channel4]

Almost same difference between an Outlander and a XP 850. I own both.

[@700rRaptorLife]

lol man that polaris getting big air

[@KyleTheHammers]

Now go from that to any can am... You'll change your mind on how fun it is

[@AsphaltAssassin.]

Does anyone know where these trails are located

[@PeteHager]

This park is in NW Iowa. It's called Gypsum City OHV Park 👍

[@MichaelSabo]

Peter (pee-odd-trey)

[@everardotorres9362]

Hi

[@richarddevaottien7724]

Quad to wheelchair in a split second

[@collinwisdom8621]

Those sportsman’s are fun but it does take a bit to get power due to it being a snowmobile engine

[@braapadk3970]

The Polaris snowmobile engines are completely different, and aren’t used in any of there quads. If you don’t know what your talking about don’t say anything at all lol

[@collinwisdom8621]

@@braapadk3970 the new ones might be but as of 2011 it was a snowmobile engine

[@braapadk3970]

Nope, your still wrong.

[@collinwisdom8621]

@@braapadk3970 my bad one of ours was and our current seems more like a snowmobile engine

[@damianm2111]

Little less FPV and more shots of the quad handling. Cornering and jumping... Spinning out.. FPV is boring

[@PeteHager]

Could always check out ATVonDemand for tons of tripod capture 👍

[@texasatvoffroad5901]

Yeah they are nice. Too bad Polaris machines are so cheaply built.

[@clarknawrocki9718]

Polaris is the best