Both of those machines will do fine in the areas you're talking about riding, that being said, East coast woods riding is what the 1000S was made for.

You're definitely going to want skid plates harnesses and an aftermarket cage if you intend to drive aggressive. The stock cage is good for 1 roll, that's it.

The trailing arms on the XP aren't terrible but you'll bend them.

 

Is that the only difference in the two? Would I need to upgrade the a-arms on the s, or are they pretty good?
The list of must needs gets longer and longer. Lol

 

I doubt you will bend your trailing arms, but the radius arms may take a beating. You can get high clearance lower radius arms for around $250-300.

There are several differences between the 1000S and the XP 1000. XP 1000 comes with larger tires and can accommodate larger tires without a lift (up to around 32"). XP has more suspension travel, better shocks, more ground clearance, more HP, and a longer wheel base which can make climbing hills more stable. Both are awesome right off the truck, but if they are nearly the same price then I'd go for the XP 1000 (which I did.) I've been to Brimestone in mine and it was a blast! The 1000S has a tigher turning radius and is 4" narrower, so it can fit down tight trails easier than the XP. I've never had trouble following my buddy's 900S through trails, but there have been times when I'd have to back up to make the turn.

I'm not sure what you mean by aggressive riding (it is a subjective term), but if you are like the guys in those rock bouncer videos on youtube then I'd put a cage on it ASAP! :rofl3:

 

X2 on what Adikted said.. the s will be a bit more manageable in the eastern trails. Look at them both at the dealership, that was my decision maker..

 

I ride hatfield McCoy and chose the s. Get harnesses right away as I wouldn't trust the seat belt in a bad wreck. I went with an aftermarket cage also as the stock one don't look too strong

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The S model has less horsepower but it's the quickest of all the 1000's. 0-50 times it beats the XP.

 

I ride those areas and more clearance and suspension travel of the XP is much more of an advantage than the more nimble S.. The trails are getting wider and wider and the rutts deeper and deeper...

Thats why I went with the XP.

 

Stock cage will be fine unless you start one-shotting hills again. It will take easy rolls, but wont hold up on a 30 mph endo -- I'd worry about protecting your plastics more if you start getting crazy with it.

Until that point harnesses are a must, especially with the little one going on rides. Everything else will come with time. XP offers a lot more if you can get it for the same price. XP Suspension also has a TON more flex than the S.

 

Great info. I love East Tennessee!

 

Get the xp. More travel and bigger tires not to mention horsepower. Videos Ive seen the xp beat the s 1000.

 

Thanks for all the info. Now to decide if I wanna keep my quad or sell it. Lol