suspension is worth the extra, I tried and S and was unhappy, very rough riding. Love the XP... I can't tell a difference in the XP seats but my wife says they are better. i recommend the XP model

 

I mainly ride tight wooded trails. Very little high speed riding or jumping which seems to be what the XP is designed for. That's why I figured the S may work better for me.

 

That's what I ride also, the suspension in the XP soaks up the terrain even at slow speed. The S will work it will just be a rougher ride. The S is very capable but the XP just does it smoother.

 

I ride alot of the same stuff with my 900s and it does great. From reading your post you'll be fine.That being said the XP has better suspension.

 

Honestly I think either one would do fine for your type of riding. It sounds like you do the same type of riding that I do which is in the woods on tight trails. I typically ride on tight old atv trails, and rarely take it out of low range in the woods. Myself, while it has its challenges, I prefer my xp 900 due to the amount of wheel travel and stability it provides me. I've just learned exactly how wide it is, and what I can and can't squeeze through.

 

Tight trails = 900 trail (50") you can always upgrade the shocks, sway bar links and springs with the money you save


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

What about ground clearance with the XP?

 

Bigger tires and cranking up the suspension will nearly even if out with stock XP but if that isn't good enough. lift kit, new axles and a-arms. That will push the suspension back out to 55" tho. Just gotta weigh cost over mods/time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

If you don't want any regrets you best get the XP 1000. Been there done that when I bought my 800 and still regret it. You will get a far superior ride, stability and ground clearance with the wider stance and longer wheel travel. Chances are you will never find a place the extra few inches will stop you. With the more capable machine there is always a run around.

IMHO

 

Good advice right there.

 

Suspension, width, and length are the biggest differences.

The S model is 60" wide and a tad shorter. Also has 27" tires.

The XP is 64" wide, a bit longer, and runs 29" tires. The rear suspension on the XP is totally different than the S, more long travel and big air focused.

 

FWIW I'm not sure how many people that say the S rides harsh took the time to setup their suspension. Mine rode terrible until I backed off the preload 5mm and backed off the compression damping 20 clicks on all four shocks. It was a night and day difference it's much plusher now. I think it will be even better with new springs. My girlfriend reminds me of how much money I've spent on this thing so as soon as she forgets I'll probably order new springs.

 

Thanks for all the input. How does the XP do in slow crawling off camber situations?

 

It does very well. The wider stance and more suspension travel allow better articulation then the S. It will keep tires in contact with the ground when the S is teedering on 2 wheels.

 

Haven't been in an XP but I had a 900 trail and now a 900S. Love the 900S, both were very reliable to me but obviously the s rides a fair bit better. I'm sure the XP is that much better again but I know for where I ride I wouldn't want to be 4 inches wider because my machine barely squeezes through some of the gates as is (tires rub on both sides). If you can still get where you plan to go with the extra width of the XP then there isn't a reason not to go big, unless budget is a deciding factor.

Main thing is to make sure whatever machine you buy doesn't prevent you from going where you want to go. You can have all the suspension in the world but it's no good if you can't use your machine where you want to. Just my 2cents, take it for what it's worth.

 

I agree with all of these comments, but don't let that talk you out of an S. That "tad" longer on the XP is nearly a foot and does make a lot of difference on tight trails. I took my S out last weekend and some of the places I went would have been a real challenge in an XP. Not saying it wouldn't have made it, but I would have been rubbing a lot more where the S snaked through the trees. Full lock left, then full lock right, then back full left again. Also some of the trails I was running on my sidewalls on both sides, the XP would have been catching tree roots. I've also heard a lot of people having issues with the rear control arms catching on rocks and such. If you ride tight trails and aren't planning on high speed or jumps, the S might be right up your alley. Bang for the buck is definitely in the XP overall, but not if it doesn't fit your riding style. For me, the S is perfect, but i'm sure as trails widen up over time, the XP may be better. I think it all depends on your riding style and trails you prefer. The deciding factor for me was that the XP was too long to fit on my truck where the S fits perfectly eliminating the need for a trailer.

 

The deciding factor for me was that the XP was too long to fit on my truck where the S fits perfectly eliminating the need for a trailer.

Same here. The S fits in my toy hauler garage while the XP will not. So the decision was easy.

Another point to highlight that nobody has yet to mention, the S 1000 is quicker than the XP out the hole. All things being equal, it's nearly 150# lighter and runs 2" smaller tires stock. This makes the rig leap to life faster and have better general low end performance. Obviously at speed however the XP is better due to superior suspension allowing you manage bumps at a faster pace and larger tires.

Motor wise, they're both the same. Honestly, I think the S is overpowered at least for where I ride. The lack of traction, lack of wheelbase, and lack of suspension hold the mind numbing power back IMHO. Then again, if you're a big fan of "can't have enough power" then this statement will make no sense at all

 

Having recently went from a 900S to 1000xp, I will never have another S model. Now when I got my S, I thought it was the greatest thing ever coming from a Ranger. However, my brother in law got a 1000 XP and gave me the keys and told me to drive it back, we swapped rides for the ride home. The power and ride is in a word Awesome! Do I use it to its potential, nope, and I probably never will. But its the best purchase I have ever made. So if you want an S, never get behind the wheel of an XP!!!

 

One thing I don't see mentioned is price. XP costs more.

 

I thought the price difference was obvious. I wouldn't have pulled the trigger on one, but my new 900s had so many issues early, I had some leverage to deal with the 2015 used model the dealer had with only 25 hours.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

I thought the difference between a s and XP was obvious also,lol

 

I have a 1000s and an xpt. I race mwxc. I am way faster in the s. I love my turbo but I have beat a lot of them in my s. I put a set of springs on from William Yokley and the little s rode great. If you don't mind buying some springs, the s is a great woods machine. I like the turbo in the open places, whoops ect. But most of the time even if I'm going trail riding I take the s. A good set of dual rate springs also keeps the car stable in the corners. My buddy with a turbo couldn't catch me in the field sections and 2 out of 3 times I'm first or second to the first corner.

 

I ended up with a 1000S largely because an XP would not fit in our toy hauler(due to a slideout). We ride in a variety of areas from wide open desert to fairly tight mountain trails. It's worked well in all conditions.

As other have said the ride can be harsh, but fiddling with the suspension adjustment helps. In the end I'll probably get the shocks and springs reworked by Shock Therapy.

 

If size is not an issue get an xp hands down. S may be 150# lighter but it also has 10 less hp and accessories are limited on the s model


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

To piggy back on this topic.....

Does anyone have experience with the 900 4 seater and the XP1000 4 seater? It will be my first RZR.

Thanks!

 

I have an S 900. It is slightly superior to the XP in the woods. I had to replace the springs, the 15 and 16's have junk factory springs. A $600 addition. I think the S gets a bad rap because of this. If you have the funds get the S 1000. My S loves the tight trails but will fly in the open. Now the XP does good in the woods, but you can't maneuver as well and occasionally the rear trailing arms will hang up on rocks and stuff, but you get it in the open and it's an animal. I slightly prefer my S with Racertech springs to an XP for my style of riding. You would be happy with either one. The 2017 S does have different suspension springs and shocks than 15 and 16, so maybe they improved the 17. Enjoy your new ride, whichever one you get.