When I asked on the forum about the SP550EPS a couple of weeks ago no one knew so today I tried my dealer. They have 3 ordered and might have them in around Christmas. He checked the dealer web site and there was none with EPS in the state yet.
Since I was ready to buy he was hot to sell me a new RZR, even lowered the price, must be a good time to buy.

 

I hear a none EPS SP800 is the same price as a 550 with EPS and more than a new Suzuki KQ750 twin! You would really have to just need EPS very badly to pay a big bore ATV price for a Mid Class ATV.

 

Is EPS...............Elect. Power Steering??.........Caper............

 

TLC- We both have 500's and they have all the power we need, climb any mountain I want to go up. My wife wants the EPS because of her sore hands and arms from the kick back on rocky trails. If I want her to keep riding with me it's buy a RZR or EPS550.
Polaris claims the 09' Sportsman XP 550 is 99% new so it's not like buying the same ATV we have and just adding the power steering

 

My dealer got in some 550 Sportsmans w/o EPS the other day...sat on one and I could turn the handle bars lock to lock with one finger on concrete floor! It is amazing how easy this new steering setup works on the new XPs! I just don't see the need for EPS unless you have a handicap that would limit you abilities...
May be nice for plowing but not nessessary

 

The new xp's steer amazing. They didn't have power steering models to ride at the dealer show. Some dealers made comments on how easy the steering was and the were happy about the addition and said it was a great attribute to the new model. You should have seen the look on there faces when they were told that the xp they had gotten off of did not have power steering. Some of them got on there hands and knees looking for the eps in disbelief. It was pretty funny. I personally think it is just something else to break. I'm not saying that it is a bad thing but if you don't need it then it ain't worth the money to have just because. The eps is neat on how it is setup. It works kinda like a car or truck. The faster you go the less assist so you don't over steer. The slower the more assist and it works great on the rock crawls and tight trails. But I personally wouldn't have it unless it was free!!!

 

That must be the anti kick back they show. My dealer had a 09' w/o EPS still in the crate on the lot and I wondered how good the anti kick back would be. That kick into her arms is the only problem with her 500. It(EPS)is just 1 more thing to go wrong and it's to new to know if there are problems. If it's that good I might buy her a 850 without the power steering.

 

Your opinion could be 180 off of mine. When you get to try it out let us know your opinion.

 

I read that the 550 without EPS steers 10 times easier than a 500. EPS is totally unneccesary on the 550 but may help on the 850. If I got a 550 I wouldn't spend the extra $700 on something that the dealers couldn't even tell if it was there or not. The new front suspension is supposed to eliminate most of the kick back too. My dealer didn't know when the 550s were coming in but I couldn't wait that long.

 

My wife would not ride my Polaris Sportsman 700, but loves my new Grizzly 700 EPS and she is neither small or weak. Due to a disability, I really have to have EPS to enjoy riding, but I think some others might like it if they tried it out.