I don't think the Polaris EPS can be disengaged,maybe pull the fuse. On the Can-Am that is the only way to disable but the Can-Am DPS has 2 settings Min and Max assist. The Min setting is less assist but still a good bit easier than no assist at slow speeds. I really can't think of any situation when I would want to turn it completely off.

When the powersteering is disabled it acts just like a non-PS machine,maybe a touch harder to steer. Thsese systems are just power assist,so the steering shaft has a machanical connection from the bars to the tie-ros just like a non-PS machine.

 

Are you sure? Talking about the Polaris, right? With the EPS machine not running it seems rather hard to turn the bars, IMO.

 

Well I guess the Can-Am is fresher in my mind,been awhile since I sat on the EPS XP. From what I remember it is harder than a non-EPS,but no where near unsteerable. What I am getting at is if it failed on you you could still ride it,say to get yourself back home or to the trailer,I just wouldn't purposely go out on a ride with the EPS failed. My Can-Am with the key off is no harder to steer than a Polaris 800,and I could be remembering wrong but I don't remeber the EPS XP being any harder than the Otty DPS with the key off. Also remeber sitting still is usally as hard as the steering gets,the only way to get a real feel for it would be to pull the EPS fuse and ride it,if the Polaris will even run with it out? I'll check the EPS key off vs. non-EPS again tomorrow when I go by the dealer.

 

I actually ended up going to the dealer today. I tried a EPS and a non-EPS side by side with the key off..I coudn't tell any difference at all sitting there in the parking lot. I had the owner of the dealership with me,he also could tell no real difference.
Now if you turn on the key and turn them and then turn it off they feel very hard to turn...but so does the non-EPS after turning the EPS handlebars. That will be the biggest thing about riding an EPS machine with failed EPS,being used to the EPS will make it SEEM alot harder to steer because you would be used to it being so easy.

BTW,off topic,but I looked at a 2010 Touring for the 1st time in person...glad I did...made me even more happy about the buying decesion I made.

 

Hmmm, man that would SUCK to have the EPS fail on the trail! Now becomes the question of what would make it fail and how to recover? Since EPS is still relatively NEW to the ATV scene how reliable are they to tough trail hold up, bitter cold, snow, deep mud and water? What is the cost to repair since its costly to buy it? Does running oversized tires put more wear and tear on it? I would think so?

Thx,

R'

 

i would bet that maybe bigger tires would have some effect long term on it. i would think going from say our 800's to the non power steering xp would be a big differnce. from what i here they are alot easier to steer.

 

Actually that was my point it WOULDN'T really suck...would baasically be just like riding a non-EPS.

As for it failing there are some sensors internal to the EPS, TQ sensors,steering position sensors ect that if they give bad readings the computer will shut down the EPS...but I have only heard of one EPS failure so far,and apparently that was just a defective EPS box and IIRC it happened pretty early on before the machine had seen any abuse. With anything made by Humans there will be some defective parts.
I would think oversized tires would put more wear and tear on it,but guess what it puts more wear and tear on steering components on a non EPS as well ans we still run the oversized tires....I think if you are talking 27-28" tires the wear acceleration won't be drastic but at this point is is anyones guess how long the EPS will last with stock tires much less oversized tires.
Here't the long term kicker...AFAIK currently the EPS box itself is NOT servicable at all by the dealers. All they can do is replace it! And list is about $1100 I believe...so until the boxes are serviceable,if they ever are,that would be a good reason to get an extended warranty.

 

Yes the XPs do steer quite a bit easier than the old style Sportsmans...for sure. But after having a Sportsman 800,a non-EPS XP and now having a machine with PS..I'm telling you if you can afford it...do it...if cost is an issue or you think you are going to wrry about it breaking ect yes the non-EPS Xp steers nice for not having PS...just don't ever ride one with PS until you are ready to buy one. That is what I did,EPS wasn't available yet when I got my XP,couldn't wait. When it came out I had chances to try out an EPS machine and refused and I am glad I did..I would have been kicking myself for not waiting.

 

I bet the atr company supplys all the units for the manufactures just a possibility

 

I highly doubt it...I forget who makes Polaris' PS unit,but it is a company that has been making electric power assist for cars for awhile IIRC. Not sure who makes any of the others but I bet it isn't ATR, JMO.