850i vs. 825i

[plateauman57]

Am thinking of trading my 2012 825i for a new 850i. I drove a 850i today for the first time and realized right away it would take some getting use to that pep you get when you give it gas. Wow, what a difference being use to my 825i. I use mine around the place more than trail riding but after looking at the 850i it looks as though its good enough to do both. The 825i is just too wide to ride some of my favorite trails in TN and KY. Am I going to miss my power lift bed? Are the doors easily removable? Is the engine braking system any better on the 850i? Any thoughts from those that have gone from the 825i to the 850i or has both of them. Thanks in advance.

[Dane]

I have the 550 which is built on the same frame and has very similar dimensions to the 850. The slightly narrower width was one thing that steered me to the 550 versus the 825. It's not much difference but I have some narrow trails on the property and the extra few inches of clearance make it a much easier pass.

The bed on the 850 is the same as my 550 and I don't see any need for a power lift. Unlike the 825 bed which is longer and hinged more to the rear the 850's is shorter and pivots very near the center. I've had my bed completely full of rocks, dirt and mulch and will all I was able to manually dump it without much trouble. Manual is also much faster than the powered dump though you do have to get out of the drivers seat to do it. But since you usually have to get out to lower the tailgate having to lift the bed release & dump is not much an issue.

Probably the bigger concern would be the bed's smaller size. It's about half the volume on the 850. 45" long x 52" wide for the 825 and only 32" long x 47" wide for the 850.

[plateauman57]

I have the 550 which is built on the same frame and has very similar dimensions to the 850. The slightly narrower width was one thing that steered me to the 550 versus the 825. It's not much difference but I have some narrow trails on the property and the extra few inches of clearance make it a much easier pass.

The bed on the 850 is the same as my 550 and I don't see any need for a power lift. Unlike the 825 bed which is longer and hinged more to the rear the 850's is shorter and pivots very near the center. I've had my bed completely full of rocks, dirt and mulch and will all I was able to manually dump it without much trouble. Manual is also much faster than the powered dump though you do have to get out of the drivers seat to do it. But since you usually have to get out to lower the tailgate having to lift the bed release & dump is not much an issue.

Probably the bigger concern would be the bed's smaller size. It's about half the volume on the 850. 45" long x 52" wide for the 825 and only 32" long x 47" wide for the 850.

thanks dane. i'm not worried about the smaller size bed so much. sure hope the engine braking system is better than the 825i....it sux. one thing i noticed is the 850i sure is louder. am leaning toward trading but just don't want to do something i will regret later on.

[Dane]

If you've already got a 825 I'd wait a year on the 850 unless you've got a burning desire. I imagine you'll take a bath on your 825's trade in value unless you can do OK selling it outright. I'd also give Deere some more time to get the bugs worked out of the 850. It's a pretty high tech engine with lots of fussy little bits and it's power output will put a strain on the drive train. Reading on this forum there has been some issues since it came out. They're relatively minor and I'm sure Deere will get them worked out but I don't think I'd jump into one just yet having an 825 already. If you did not already have a UTV I'd be more inclined to go with the 850.

That said I think Deere really did their homework with the new series of Gators (XUV 550 & 850). The ergonomics and especially leg & foot room I feel are greatly improved. The ROPS is better designed and allows a windshield to be installed and access the forward storage area. Not to mention I love the smaller footprint especially being 6" narrower.

[plateauman57]

well, i did it!!!! i paid $12,400 for my 825i 13 months ago. they gave me $11,200 trade for it. the Camo trail model 850i was 14,500 with the poly roof and no scratch windshield. i almost got the glass windshield with wiper but there is no venting for it and i really used the flip up part of my windshield on my 825i during the hotter months. may regret the windshield but i hope not. all said, tax and all i paid about $3,300 difference. i think i got a pretty good deal.

1992

[Dane]

Sweet! I can't believe the deal you got on the trade in. I thought for sure you'd get hosed but it seems the 825 holds its value better than I had thought.

[Deputy347k9]

Very sweet deal and one nice looking machine! Congratulations!

Larry in NC

[plateauman57]

thanks larry and dane. it seems my dealer's main customers are looking for the 825i. he acted as tho he might stop carrying the 850i. anyway, when he started trying to sell me the 850i i figured no way could i trade but when he started talking in the 11,000 range trade in value i said hmmmmmm. sent him an email today about this split windshield. thinking of going with the glass one after all. don't like this one as much as the one that was on my 825i other than this one is a no scratch which i guess means scratch resistance. big question am i going to miss being able to vent the cab through the windshield. i know the wiper would be nice lots of times.

[DIXIEDOG]

Nice looking buggy. I'm surprised the acceleration is that much better on the 850i than the 825i....heck I thought the 825i flew right along after getting used to my Kubota RTV I had before.:lol:

[GatorMover]

We give pretty nicely for 825's as well. We did a similar deal, except by the time he was done bolting stuff on he was over $18k- I had his 825 for less than a week- it was a Camo with camo top, windshield and again, all kinds of stuff on it. So yes, 825's are easy movers if they are nice. I could have rolled this one onto the showroom floor and no one would have known it was used- had a whopping 36 hours on it.

[tenere67]

I like the 825i,, But it is to big for trail riding,,It sure looks tough..I chose the RSX850i cause I trail ride and its not as big as the 825i..But if I got one for work it would be the 825i. IT has huge axles and a tough looking frame..Way tougher than a Polaris.