Finally got the new EPS models in. Rode one on pavement and a little in some riprap rocks. Gotta say that it is awesome in the rocks. Takes the pressure away from the steering. Pavement is about the same as regular XP. This will be a great bike for the woods and trails.

 

Thanks for the update Robert!Keep them coming.Glad to see people are finally getting the EPS.

 

Excellent! I'm getting jealous of all you guys with the new XP. Keep us posted on the EPS.

 

I put about 50 miles on my 850 EPS Sunday in Uwharrie a very rocky and red muddy area. It was drizzling rain and it was slick. The no feed back steering is just that. No kick backs when you hit something unexpected but you can not feel the trail to accurately steer in tough technical places. Its hard to straddle ruts or hold the tires on ridges or guide through heavy rocky areas. Very easy to steer no fatigue or stress on the arms or neck. I never realized how much you rely on the feeling in the handle bars to steer in tough places. I really like it but there is a learning curve for sure. I need the EPS for neck problems and it is a big help to me but if your healthy you might want to save that 700 dollars. This was my first real ride on my 850 and was fun. Its a keeper for sure.

 

Dogdaz,

That's excellent feedback on the EPS, and makes sense. Like you, I need a nice ride and easy steering. (my back and old age [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] )

My 500 rides nice, but sometimes the steering is tough on the back. I'm certainly going to consider a machine with EPS down the road. Although, a short ride on a non-EPS 850 the other day surprised me with how much easier it handled compared to my 500... we'll see.

Now, you guys with the new EPS machines need to post some pics. LOL LOL

 

You don't relize how nice power steering is till ride a bike without it then it makes you appriciate the ones with it even more. I think eventually all 4x4's will be eqiped with it or atleast be a option!

 

I know what you mean. I broke my neck in 96 and had it fused scull through C7, no movement at all but I still like to ride. Not like I used to but like I have a little common sense. I am 63 and the hard steering really was getting to me especially when we ride all day or all week end. The EPS I hope will let me ride a few years longer, but it does have its draw backs. One of the best things about the 850 is the ride, I had 2 500HO's and always thought they rode great, but they are not in the ball park with the 850. Its like riding a raft in the surf it just glides over the rough stuff. The smoothest ride I have ever felt. Plus the new front end does not dive to the down hill front corner like the mcfearson strut did, the handling is far superior. I never liked the steering on my 500's because of the dive into down hill turns, I had put 700 springs on the front to help but not much. None of that in the new double A arms. A lot of improvement much more than meets the eye.

 

That is same feeling I had on my Sportsman 600 when going over whoops it would dive into them instead of gliding over the top as the 600 just didnt have the power to lift the front end like the Grizz does. I didnt notice how bad it was till I took both the Grizz and Sportsman out and rode them back to back! Hopefully in two-three years when I am ready to buy again the XP is as good as it looks like its going to be then I will have a real delema on my hands [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]!

 

Good for you Dogdaz... hope you can ride it until you are 80 (or longer). [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I took one for a ride, but it was on pavement and gravel, so I couldn't appreciate how it rides in trail conditions. However, with your situation, if you say it's nice, it must be a sweet ride.

 

You have to be real careful with the 850, it will come up too easy. You have to be especially careful on whoops not give it gas or it will mousetrap you. It picks the front end up with ease, actually a little too easy. Just takes some getting use to. I almost brought it over on me twice, luckily the compression is high and the engine will bring it down if you let off the throttle. You can steer with the rear good but have to be aware if it quits spinning and gets traction and up it comes. I read on the forums before buying mine about understeer. There is no understeer, but if you give it gas it carries the front end and goes straight. Or I should say the wrong amount of gas, you have to give a lot to keep the rear wheels spinning if you don't give enough it gets traction and up comes the front. As I said earlier there is a learning curve with this new machine.