ATV power steering vs non

[Taco280AI]

Last few days really been considering power steering on my quad... but at $750 for a kit I might just upgrade the whole damn thing. A 750 with PS would be nice. Reason being, some of the areas I hunt can be really rocky and a couple times have had the bars yanked out of my hands. Not often, but only a couple times. More importantly, last weekend my dumb ass rolled my damn quad down a hill, with me on it, due to a big root that I completely underestimated. I'd been through this spot quite a few times before, no issue, so didn't think too much of it, and maybe this time I just caught it right - or wrong. Wasn't going fast, wasn't playing around, just didn't think it would have that much force... but as I was going down this small ATV trail I saw it, didn't think too much of it, but damn! Right tire hit the root, kicked my wheels to the left, and didn't have any time or room to try and recover. Was thinking to myself is this really happening? Then had a few choice words in my mind, then ouch...ouch...ouch... where is my quad? As I was going down the hill I looked back up it to see it rolling side over side, then was thinking don't roll over me! But it did anyway. Luckily over me and not really on me. Good thing was a tree stopped it from going farther down the hill, and stopped it on its wheels. Hip landed on a fallen tree, damn thing hurt pretty bad. Hobbled my way back up to the trail, cussed and tried to walk it off for a few minutes, then started pulling my winch rope up the hill to a tree, then eventually got back to my truck.

But what I've been wondering about is if power steering would have prevented it. I know slowing down to a crawl would have, but certainly didn't expect or anticipate the wheels to be kicked to the side like that and with no room or time, off I went.

Does power steering make that big of a difference from those who have had both?

Is plenty scratched up, but ordered some parts online and should straighten all back out. Just taking the rack off itself has the plastics almost all the way back to normal. Also ordered that piece that the winch is connected to since it is bent downward on its right side. $305 online, not bad considering it could have been much worse.

[baker5150]

In my very limited experience with power steering on a quad, it didn't really help the bump steer at all.
It was an aftermarket kit as well, and not my quad, so maybe someone with more experience will chime in.

[andersonjk4]

I have a Grizzly 550 with electric power steering and it is great.  I had ridden my brother in laws Honda foreman without power steering quite a bit before I got my Grizzly and it absolutely makes a difference.  It doesn't eliminate feedback into the handlebars but it does reduce it a lot. I won't own another ATV without it. The power steering also makes it way easier when maneuvering in tight spots and riding one handed if you ever need to.  My Grizzly gets used for a lot of different tasks: trail riding, hauling out animals during hunting season, plowing snow, spraying weeds, etc and the power steering makes a world of difference.

[rtspring]

I have a Can Am 1000 atv and would not have bought without power steering!  Kinda like buying a car with no ac or radio in it, just plain sucks.  If you ride a bit you will for sure notice the difference

[Mudman]

Not sure about after market stuff but factory atv or utv EPS is a requirement.  Yes it helps a lot!  I have had bars yanked from stumps etc and it really sucks.  Sore thumbs!  Its a safety thing and arm fatigue.

[trophyhunt]

Power steering is a must, you can steer w a finger!

[C-Money]

I always kinda figured power steering on an ATV was a waste of money, and one more this that could fail. Maybe its not such a bad idea to have it! I bet my Wife would like it on her next quad.

[trophyhunt]

It really does make a difference.

[Mudman]

When I was ripping around on my Honda 450r I wouldn't have wanted EPS.  I needed to feel the ground to control machine when riding hard!  With my 4x4 Suzuki I would loved to have it but didn't.  Riding the Grizz 660 wore my arms out as it is a hard steering quad.  UTV suck without it IMOP.  New machines with EPS is so much nicer.  So for racing I say NO!  For trails and work and the average rider looking for safety and comfort then you bettya!

[lord grizzly]

power steering is huge and right now Polaris has the best power steering out there on the new ones.

[lewy]

It's nice

[MHWASH]

I would not own another ATV without it. I currently ride a King Quad 750 with eps and absolutely love it. The eps takes a lot of the bump steering away. It's had to say in your situation, but I would almost guarantee that it would have prevented it.   

[NOCK NOCK]

I did nearly the exact same thing as the OP, but was not as lucky, 60 miles on a brand new  A.Cat 500, mine rolled for close to 1/2 mile down the hill, ended up in a big ball of steel/plastic/tree bark/and dirt, $5000-$500 in a heartbeat,  would not have happened with PS. I have had both, will not buy another without PS.

[Scvette]

I couldn't imagine not having EPS and trying to turn with my 28" tires,easy to drive one handed.

[mkcj]

Without a doubt the biggest advantage I found is when on trails and you hit a rock or root, without power steering the bars get forced back (sometimes violently, years ago my son broke a bone in his thumb from this happening) with power steering this doesn't happen. plus if for some reason you're holding something in left hand you can still steer with just your right hand very easily.