Polaris Sportsman XP 850 2009-2013 Service Manual

Polaris introduced the Sportsman XP 850 for 2009 with an all-new chassis and suspension, and testers called it arguably the best-handling twin-cylinder ATV on the market. The big change was rotating the engine 90 degrees so it sits across the machine, which gives the rider a lot more room to move around. EPS was offered from the start and made steering easier at low speed, like when crawling down a rocky descent, though at high speed the EPS bike felt slightly twitchier. Preload-adjustable shocks sit at all four corners. For 2012 the H.O. version arrived, with Blue Fire and other limited editions. The US MSRP was $9,999 for the EPS bike through 2012 and $8,799 for the 2013 XP 850 H.O.

Power comes from an 850cc liquid-cooled SOHC parallel twin, with four valves per cylinder (eight in total) and 40mm fuel injection. It makes a claimed 70 hp (about 52 kW). Drive is through Polaris’s Variable Transmission (PVT), a CVT with a belt, Hi/Low range and reverse, then shaft drive to the front and rear. The On-Demand system gives selectable 2WD or 4WD, with a limited-slip differential and a differential lock at the rear. The 2009 manual lists the engine as an EH085OLE and fuel capacity as 5.25 gallons for the XP and 4.5 gallons for the XP EPS.

Wheels are 14-inch steel with 26-inch tires, a 26x8-14 front and a 26x10-14 rear (Terrathon on early bikes and Maxxis later). Brakes are hydraulic discs. Confirmed figures list an 83.3-inch length, a 47.6-inch width, a 50.8-inch height and a 53-inch wheelbase.

Because the XP 850 changed over its run, including the H.O. engine tune from 2012, check the model code and VIN before ordering parts.

This factory service manual covers the procedures, torque specs, and diagrams needed to keep a Polaris Sportsman XP 850 running the way it was built to.