Hi everyone!

I'm just about buying an XP 550. I can't make up my mind on getting it with or without pwr steering. I tried with EPS and off course it feels smooth and everything but, I was on a snow covered ground. I don't feel like I really tested it out. What do you guys think about that? Is it worth the extra money? I'm worried to loose the feeling of trail riding? Thanks for your inputs!

 

4 big reasons I would buy an EPS model

1. if it was for my wife
2. if I had tracks
3. If I was going to run big mud tires
4. rocky terrain

Other than that, it is up to you if you want to spend the extra 6-800. If I was you, I would spend the extra and go to the 850 instead of a 550 EPS.

 

I just bought an 850 with the EPS and I can't say enough good things about the EPS. It was money well spent IMO.

 

personally, I think EPS was a great move for Yamaha on their Grizzly with it's imposible steering with the locking front dif engaged, but a bit of a waste on Sportsmans (and the easy steering full time 4WD), and even less useful with the new suspension/steering setup on the new XP models!
Really Roofer probably has this nailed...For the wife or tracks!

 

Roofer hit it on the head. If it were me and I had the choice between a 550 EPS or an 850 without I would go with the 850 without. The 550 has plenty of power to do everything I need and goes faster than I need a quad to go and faster than I will drive it. But I have always been a big fan of torque and HP over the years and enjoy that power feeling. The 850 is pretty impressive and it brings a smile to my face when I get on it......even a little.

That being said my 850 and 550 both have EPS. I also couldn't decide and being a newbie I was really clueless as I didn't and still don't know the added value of EPS as I have no practical experience with any quads to compare it to. So EPS seemed to make sense for my wife 550 and I a few test drives on EPS I ultimately sacrificed getting a plow at that time and other accessories to cover the EPS on my 850. I think the EPS is nice but that is a newbies opinion so take it with a grain of salt.

 

i personally think that its just something else that is going to break down the road.

 

The only other thing I would add to what roofer said is that I would get it if I had a physical limitation such as a bad shoulder. Other than that I don't think it is really nessesary. I can turn the bars on my 850 with one hand sitting still. With the anti-kickback steering even rough terrain like rocks isn't bad at all.
Plus without the EPS you have more fuel capacity!

 

i have power steering and like Ruggo i am quite new to the sport that being said....
I find the power steering at highspeed doesn't give enuf feed back but i am hoping with time i'll get enuf seat time to "feel"in spite of that..
at lowspeed in a technical area it's a god send i go for rides withe the boys and they are all beat to **** after 4 hrs and i'm just getting ready to go
i find it amazing when we go fast trail riding and very good on technical trails ...i have ridden quite a few machines and they really can tire ya out quick and with the power steering never do you get fatigued!
now on the other hand i have NOT ridden an 850 without eps my dealer swears you don't need it at all!!!but me i'm just a bells and whistles guy so i NEED all the goodies
hope you make the right choice for you!