power steering, DO YOU NEED IT?

[scramblerX]

Kinda looking at a newer machine right now. Either a Renegade 800 or Scrambler 850. If you look at my name you can probably tell it will be the popo. With either machine in bone stock condition for aggressive trail riding in the bush Does a person really need power steering? Is it that much better? I will not be running tires larger than stock. I go through mud when its in the way, but not looking for it. let me know what you think?

 

[rzrgade]

Both great bikes.....I used to think it was another gimmick that you really did not need.......TILL i tried it !!! DON`T buy one with out it.
If you are buying a renegade,offset rims/tires really make it tough to steer.
IMO, i would never buy another bike without it..............

 

[arff]

Power steering is fantastic a must have....

 

[underdog]

Power steering is fantastic a must have....

Unless the person driving it doesn't steer.......

 

[the_real_wild1]

Need it no. Want it yes. Drove without it for years. New quad has it and it is a huge difference.

 

[rzrgade]

I have heard that it is much easier to run some one down with power steering,even if they use all evasive tactics available..............

 

[scramblerX]

Thanks for the replies, I've never had a machine with power steering so you're input is very helpful. I definately don't want to kick myself for not getting p.s. when I had the chance!

 

[TylerG]

just go sit on one in a show room and turn the key on..... power steering is a feature that sells itself!

do you NEED power steering in your car? no but its a damn nice feature to have!

 

[Trashy]

If you get a chance to try one, before you buy. Put it in 4x4 and lock the diff, you'll never go back to a non EPS model.
The down fall...... until you get use to it, chance's are. When you look to the left while riding, you WILL go to the left
Not much of a down fall, but I guess more of a heads up

 

[canamgirl]

I have a renegade and I wish it had power steering, with bigger tires when your going slower it's much harder to turn, fast it's easy but I wish I had it! I'm waiting for an aftermarket kit to come out.. BUT YES get it with power steering

 

[Mongrol]

With - drives like a Caddillac

Without - drives like a bowflex.

 

[KWIK RACING INC.]

yes power steering is a must..i agree with the rest.. here is how i see it...

i went into cycle works and looked over the popo 850 with a fine tooth comb and here is my 2 pennies...lol

now mind you i am very performance minded and one thing that means lot to me is suspension/ shocks...
just on that one note popo has fox poudium shocks but they are an entry models...

they have the smaller diaameter shafts and the mounting areas are not as beefy as the good fox poudiums
they also dont have rebound adjustment and dont have hi/low compression adjustment.. they only have a single valve compression adjustment

the other thing that really stands out for me is a beadlock wheel.. imo it is a must also.. so many advantages to a bead lock from mounting your own tires to
not having them ever come of the bead even with no air in the tire..

those are my two biggest things where i would pick the can-am over the popo...
now i have not looked at the price difference but if you bought the popo and up graded the shocks and rims you would be looking at 1800 for the good shocks and anywear from 1100 to 1800 for some good beadlocks.. then the popo would be up to can-am performance standards.. those two things and different tires is what Tim Farr ran on his new 850 scrambler this year.. He placed 6 th for overall standings with 1 gncc win...

otherwise i think it is a great bike and next year you will see full adjustable suspension and maybe beads.. if polaris listens to there race pro's like can-am does that will be 2 chances that popo will make pretty quick..

so wait to buy the popo.. if it had those two ffeatures stock it would be even better than it is... its there 1st year at the game now.. same like can-am with the sxs.. popo still ruled ... now popo entring into the sport 4x4 market in full tilt.. they have to iron out problems and the only way to do that is from listening to there race teams..

 

[Longhairfreak]

If your a girly man you need it.

 

[sledwhore]

U can be mudding with a beer in your hand.... I have a 1000 with power steering and not sure if its needed but its a very nice option to have

 

[medler]

It is great. I would never buy a quad with out it

 

[gotboost]

I dont have power steering in my 900 hp blown nova if that helps hahaha

 

[tmo1620]

Love the power steering, thought meh don't really need or care for it but the bike I bought last year was pretty much the same price with or w/o it so I went for it and Ill never go back, makes a long day a lil easier on the shoulders and arms thats for sure

 

[KWIK RACING INC.]

Love the power steering, thought meh don't really need or care for it but the bike I bought last year was pretty much the same price with or w/o it so I went for it and Ill never go back, makes a long day a lil easier on the shoulders and arms thats for sure

and on top of that get a anti vibe steering rizer and /or Flexx Handlebars and its so much more easier on your arms, hands, shoulders and wrists... well worth the coin imo

 

[hedge]

I do like my power steering but you'll pretty much be forced into it anyways to get the higher end features. For example on the Renegade you need to go to the XXC model to get the power steering, with that comes the Quick engage visco lock, bead locks, much better shocks, had guards etc.

You seem got get much better value by buying the better model to begin with... I think the scrambler is similar.

 

[whoDEANie]

Power steering all the way man! If you ride much in the mountains you'll be grateful when decending down rocky, washed out trails. Also, the power steering acts like a dampener when you hit an object like a rock or log at speed - without it, you're much more likely to have the handle bars ripped out of your hands and/or veer off the trail.

As for the brand, you put 5 people in a room and you'll get 7 different opinions. Personally, I think the PoPo is great value and a nice ride, but will likely require considerably more maintenance than the CanAm if you ride it like you stole it. They all have their ups and downs, but overall I'm partial to the CanAm - power, reliability, service, and maintenance. ...after Yamaha, of course.