Well, as the title says, I'm now a full believer in the effectiveness of power steering on an ATV. Like many, when I was looking to purchase a new (to me) ATV I was quite skeptical of getting one with power steering. I've had several ATV's in the past without it and can't say that I ever wished for it. In the back of my mind I kept thinking that it was just something else to break and I wouldn't see much benefit in having it.

During my search for a slightly used ATV, I found two identical 08 Honda Foremans with the only difference being that one of them had power steering and the other didn't. The one with power steering was $250 more than the one without. So, after doing a bit more research on this forum and others, I decided to purchase the one with power steering.

Man, I couldn't be happier with that decision. 99.9% of my ATV use is at the land where I deer hunt. It gets me to and from my stand, hauls 200-300lbs of corn to fill feeders, pulls deer and hogs out and crosses two creeks to get to where my stands are.

I don't mud bog, race or do long distance trail rides so I can't speak to any of those uses, but I can say that from a true utility perspective that power steering greatly reduces the amount of steering effort required at low speed maneuvering. This is especially noticeable when I have the racks loaded down with 240lbs of corn and I have to cross the deep creek beds. Without power steering, I really had to fight the bars (more than I realized at the time) to dodge trees and obstacles. Now, I can literally do this with one hand on the bars. I've hauled three out of the woods this past month up to 300lbs and it was the exact same positive experience.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience with power steering as someone that was skeptical of it. I honestly can't see myself ever purchasing another ATV without it now after having it. It really is effective, especially at slow speed maneuvering.

Happy Riding!

 

Yep, I didn't think I'd like power steering as much as I do. It's nice to have especially in tight technical riding. Congratulations on your new quad!

 

Very cool. Prior to purchasing our first ATV a week ago, we were fortunate to be on a VIP day event that allowed us to test drive almost any ATV out there on a great 2 mile loop that was mud, rocks, dirt, water and so on.

Power steering won hands down for handling. Congrats on the new ride.

 

yes i agree the power steering is great but you have to be very careful if you pressure wash your machine beacuse if you was that powersteering box u can blow out the seals and get water in it. then u have a 1300$ problem on your hands just be careful

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll be careful when pressure washing in that area.

 

Even if it did break,would,nt the ATV just steer like a normal ATV and you can fix it when ever you get around to it?

Up here Power steering is a $1000 ($1150 after taxes) option not $250.

A Grizzly 550 and 500 KQ "with" power steering cost as much as a 700 Grizzly and 750 KQ "without" it.
Choosing between easier steering or a extra 15hp plus torque is a no brainier to me .LOL

 

yea but if ur turning 30 inch outlaws with a diff offset ur prob gonna have some problems. its just easier to take the time to be careful when cleaning to watch out for those seals

 

yep-
the only people IME who are against ps or say it's useless are the ones who've never tried it-
ps is one of the greatest advancements in atv off roading ever- minimizes almost all bar deflection and allows the rider to remain 100% in control while riding over rough terrain.
it's especially awesome for anyone one who has wrist or arm problems! I've broken a few bones in my arms and my wrist while riding dirtbikes way back- I'm paying for it now at 40 the ps make it so much more comfortable- I can't ever imagine I'll have another atv without ps!

btw- I don't know if the ps on your honda is set up differently than on my outlander, but, I powerwash the crap out of my atv after every ride. I've done it to every bike and atv I've ever owned (dozens of'em) and never had a single issue. My atv looks brand new before I put it away for the next ride. keep your zerks greased and keep that bike clean! especially the radiator- I use a #40 fan tip on my powerwasher to blast the mud and crud outta my radiator after every single ride.

 

That would be a interesting vote what people would chose.
Here is a 500KQ with P.S and a 750 KQ without it and there M.S.R.P. is only $100 apart in the 500,s favor.
2013 Suzuki KingQuadŽ 500AXi Power Steering ATVs

For $100 more you get a 3rd headlight and gops more power and torque with the 750.
Well worth a $100 is my vote.

$200 M.S.R.P differance between the Grizzly 550 FI Auto. 4x4 EPS and Grizzly 700 FI Auto. 4x4 . http://www.atvreviewnetwork.com/enth...2=309901&go=Go

You could put $1500 in mods into the 500 and 550 and there never going to be close to the 750 and 700 in performance.

P.S should be a $200 option at most not $800.

 

I'd spend the extra $$ to buy the 750 with ps. (if I was considering a suzuki- which I probably wouldn't be)
a few extra hours of overtime is worth buying the atv that's got the best features and is most comfortable to ride. Even if ps added $1k to the price- it's 100% worth it.