atv buying...power steering?

[jshouse]

i am sure there are old threads but i couldnt find them...do you guys recommend power steering on a 4 wheeler for trail riding/deer lease riding/filling feeders? i am looking at a couple right now and can get a 500 WITH power steering or a 700 WITHOUT it for about the same price.

i grew up riding without out and never remember thinking that i needed it, but i have a few buddies that ar telling to go with the 500 and power steering.

[coker737]

I would go Without. Turning a ATV/UTV is not hard.

[PYBUCK]

ATV no, UTV Yes. On my Rangers 1 had eps the other one didn't. It's a world of difference especially in you have a lot of trees and narrow roads.

[WItoTX]

Get it with power steering. You won't be disappointed.

I equate it to handwarmers, or seat warmers. You never really "need" them. But once you have it, you will wonder why you ever went without it.

Now, if you have a need for a bigger engine, that changes my suggestion. But based on the needs you have listed, I'd go power steering over displacement.

[Bucknaked]

If you’re going to stack corn on the front rack go With PS!

[BrianL]

100% yes. it allows for easy one handed steering if you need. Like for spraying fence lines.

[Javelin]

I have a non power steering 4 wheeler and a PS sxs. now that I have the PS on sxs if I ever buy a new 4 wheeler it WILL have PS

[rjet]

I never cared to have PS on an ATV, figured one more thing to break. Then I got a grizzly that had PS, changed my mind. That PS c was real nice, specially in tight situations.

[DUKFVR]

I Have no use for PS.

[cehorn]

ATV no, UTV Yes. On my Rangers 1 had eps the other one didn't. It's a world of difference especially in you have a lot of trees and narrow roads.

This is where I'm at as well. My dad has a gator w/o power steering and 90% of the time it is fine. But there are times when you hit a bump or rock and if you only have 1 hand on the wheel it wrenches the crap out of your wrist, etc. as the wheel and steering tries to go with the bump/rock. He just bought another gator that has power steering. Night and day difference and the same bumps are much easier. My mule has power steering and I wouldn't do without it.

[SaltwaterSlick]

I Have no use for PS.

Yes you do David. You just don't know it yet!

Absolutely, go with the smaller engine and EPS (unless you "need" the larger engine for some task as yet not mentioned in your post). And in reality, the bigger the machine is, the more important the EPS is.

Another factor that helps with this decision is if there will be others (especially women or kids) that may ride the machine from time to time... Yes, you can "manhandle" the machine OK, but with EPS, your wife/girlfriend, etc, can handle it just as well in tight spots or in wide open spaces...

[crxshooter]

We bought two Outlander 570's, hers with power steering and mine (naturally) without. It is amazing how much difference there is in handling. She says she won't have another without and I probably live with no power steering buyt it sure is nice.

[Bucknaked]

I Have no use for PS.

You don’t like power windows or door locks nor a/c or heat and your tires are still made of stone and they are SqUaRe!

[Bard]

Pay the extra. At low speeds it is nice to have especially with aggressive tires.

[DaveC]

I have one of each.
I can tell a difference, but to me it's just different.
I won't gloat over one or throw rocks at the other.

My SXS does not have power steering. The ones I drive at work do.
Yes, I wish mine did, but not enough to fork out the $$ to add an aftermarket set-up. (yet anyways)

In your shopping conundrum I would have to drive each machine then decide.

I'm a fan of the 500 ish class atv machines- single cylinder = simpler set up burning less fuel with enough power for most (dare I say all) situations.