I checked the tire pressure last night. It was 4 psi, the owners manual says for the Bridgestone dirt hooks, 3.6 psi. I don't think my problem is in the tire pressure.

 

RubysRRed-- DO CHECK your tyre pressure. Try 5-6psi., and it will be a whole different machine! I know the manual says 4psi., but my 450-S steers SO MUCH easier at 5.5psi all 'round. Just try it, you will not regret it!! Later, Mike

 

According to the specs, that toe-out is intentional, but I'd sure like to know why! Mt two ES machines are the same. Seems it would cause increased tire wear (which appears to be the case on my outfits.) Possibly a safety/handling issue that causes Honda to this? When I get chance will look at other makes.

 

check the torque on the nuts holding the bushing in place on the steering shaft,could be they are way too tight,I had that problem on my 450 es

 

Is it possible that it just looks toed out when there is no load on it. Have you tried looking at it while someone is sitting on it or compressing the front suspension?

I really don't know but it would be a shame to chase your butt on something that isn't the problem. It doesn't seem to me that Honda would just sort of "forget" to set the alignment. Is it possible the steering shaft didn't get enough grease or something? Could it be binding somewhere?

I wish I could be more help. Good luck.

 

All ATV's should have some toe out, that is normal. Check the specs on what yours should be. When I put my Claws on my Polaris the handling was so squirrely I could hardly stay on the road. I experimented with the toe-out and found that very small adjustments made a big differnce. Now I can go 50 mph again no problem.
Try some adjustments and if it changes the handling but the steering stays stiff then look elsewhere.

 

The toe out was about 1/2 - 3/4 inch or more before I ever rode the atv. I adjusted it 'by eyeballing it' before I rode it. I checked the toe out last night using the string method listed on one of the links that someone sent me last week (thanks!) and I had hit one side on the nose - 1/4 inch toe out (by accident), the other side was about 1/2 inch so I adjusted it to 1/4 also. Haven't had an oppurtunity to test it out. Will try this weekend and post results. I'll also try airing up tires to above specs after trying as they are. Is there no concern about punching holes in the tires with the increased tire pressure?

Thanks for everyones input!