Learning how to ride a quad is not difficult. However, things get a bit tricky when it comes to steering in tight corners on a big four-wheeler. This is why ATV manufacturers equip their quads with power steering. Although, power steering is not a standard feature for all ATV models.
Electrical Power Steering (EPS) is a standard feature for all premium Honda ATVs. Honda doesn’t install electrical power steering on smaller four-wheelers like the Honda TRX90X where the steering effort is easy and smooth. With that said, here are the most popular Honda ATVs with electrical power steering:
- Honda Rancher 420
- Honda TRX250X
- Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon
- Honda FourTrax Recon
Today I will present the top 4 most popular Honda ATVs with power steering and showcase their specs and features. I’ll also highlight the pros and cons of having power steering on ATVs and why some companies choose not to use this feature.
Do Honda ATVs Have Power Steering?
Honda is one of the world’s biggest ATV manufacturers, and I love what the company has been doing with the FourTrax series. Honda is always adding innovative features to its ATVs, and therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that most of them are equipped with power steering. This is a next-gen feature that makes it easy for riders to steer their four-wheelers, especially when riding a big quad like the FourTrax Recon, for example.
It’s important to highlight that not all Honda ATVs are equipped with power steering. This is a premium feature that the company seems to use only on high-end models that are heavier. The reason behind this is that the heavier the ATV, the more difficult it is to steer it. Nonetheless, here are the best Honda ATVs with power steering: Rancher 420, TRX250X, FourTrax Foreman Rubicon, and FourTrax Recon.
On the other hand, there are some Honda four-wheelers without power steering. The TRX90X is the perfect example of that. However, the lack of power steering doesn’t mean that this Honda ATV is on the low end. It’s actually the fact that it’s smaller and therefore, it’s not that difficult to steer and the feature is not needed. If Honda started using power steering as a novelty feature even on smaller four-wheelers, this would make them more expensive. Just take a look at these top UTVs with power steering to see how much they cost.
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#1 Honda Rancher 420
Right from the start, I want to mention that this is not the first time I have written about Honda Rancher 420. Thanks to the premium features that the four-wheeler is equipped with, such as power steering, the Honda Rancher 420 is considered the best ATV for mudding made by Honda. What makes this four-wheeler stand out the most is the fact that it’s a mid-sized quad designed for work and play. The four-wheeler is available with selectable 2WD and 4WD modes and uses a liquid-cooled 420cc engine that offers 26 horsepower.
Since the Honda Rancher 420 is featured at the top of the list, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that it’s equipped with power steering. In fact, the power steering that the ATV uses is quite impressive because it’s designed to reduce fatigue when riding on difficult terrains. Therefore, you will have an easier time riding the Honda Rancher 420 than you would with other ATVs, even if they ship with power steering. The last thing I want to highlight about this FourTrax ATV is that it comes with an independent suspension system. Hitting bumps will never be a problem.
You can read more about Honda Rancher 420 specs by clicking here.
#2 Honda TRX 250X
Honda TRX 250X is another four-wheeler equipped with electrical power steering that makes it easier to take quick turns. This ATV is designed for young riders and beginners who want to start riding quads but want to make sure they will not lose control. The engineers at Honda have equipped the TRX 250X model with a 229cc air-cooled engine that is paired with a five-speed manual transmission system. Even though it might be tempting for beginners to choose an automatic ATV, it’s always recommended to get one with manual transmission. The reason behind this is that beginners will learn from the get-go to shift gears and not rely on a system to do it for them.
Another feature that makes this Honda ATV with power steering popular for beginners is the SportClutch. This is a special clutch designed to remove the option of stalling the engine. Therefore, you will never have to worry about stalling the engine when going on a steep hill. If you want to read more about the Honda TRX 250X and its specs, you can visit my best ATV for women guide where I highlight the four-wheeler’s top features.
You can read more about Honda TRX 250X specs by clicking here.
#3 Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon
On the third sport for the best Honda ATV with electrical power steering, we have the popular FourTrax Foreman Rubicon. If you are a fan of Honda ATVs, then chances are that you are familiar with this model. The four-wheeler is powered by an impressive 518cc liquid-cooled engine that uses programmatic fuel injection to deliver constant torque. No matter if you are riding uphill or through mud, you can be sure that the FourTrax Foreman Rubicon will handle well. The massive engine is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission system that uses a dual-clutch.
Just by looking at the picture featured above, you can tell that the FourTrax Foreman Rubicon is designed for heavy-duty work and not only recreational riding. However, the powerful engine and electrical power steering make the FourTrax Foreman Rubicon a blast to ride through forest and mountain trails. Another notable feature that I want to highlight is the 9.7 inches ground clearance. While this might not seem that important for people who are new to ATVs, having a high ground clearance is fantastic because it means you can ride over obstacles easily.
You can read more about Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon specs by clicking here.
#4 Honda FourTrax Recon
If you are interested in an ATV that can do it all (recreational riding, heavy-duty work, rescue missions), then you can’t go wrong with Honda FourTrax Recon. This is a premium Honda four-wheeler that comes equipped with all the features that we expect to see on a high-end model. Features such as electrical power steering, 229cc air-cooled engine, electrical starter, semi-automatic transmission, and selectable 2WD/4WD system.
If you visit your local ATV rental shop, you are guaranteed to see at least one or two Honda FourTrax Recon models. This is because the ATV model is really popular and looks great. Teenagers love riding it, especially since the 229cc engine reaches a top speed of 45 MPH. Even though 45 MPH might not seem that impressive, I guarantee that it’s more than enough to have thrilling adventures off-road.
You can read more about Honda FourTrax Recon specs by clicking here.
When Did Honda ATVs Get Power Steering?
The Foreman 500 4×4 ES is the first Honda ATV to ship with power steering. TopSpeed reports that Honda announced this model on June 23, 2007, and that revolutionized the ATV industry. Honda really took things to the next level with the Foreman 500 4×4 ES by equipping it with innovative features such as programmed fuel injection, ESP (5-speed + reverse) transmission, and a powerful 475cc liquid-cooled OHV engine.
Do You Need Power Steering on ATV?
You don’t need power steering on ATV. There are hundreds of four-wheelers that run great without power steering. As previously said, it can be tricky to steer a bigger ATV. Therefore, power steering is more of a feature that is nice to have on a quad. However, it’s necessary for steering. You can check out my guide on how to steer ATVs for beginners for more info.
Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of power steering to help you make up your mind if you really need this feature.
Pros:
- Steering is easier (what a shocker, right?);
- Power steering will help absorb shocks when riding on rugged trails;
- You won’t get tired easily.
Cons:
- The ATV is more expensive;
- You will have to spend more on maintenance or repairs in case the power steering gets damaged;
- The ATV will be heavier.
Final Words
Most Honda ATVs are equipped with power steering. However, the Honda models that don’t have this feature will run without any problems. They are generally more lightweight quads that are easy to control and steer when riding on rugged trails. If you are just getting started with outdoor riding, you might want to check out these ATV safety tips. I tell all my friends who want to start riding ATVs that safety is always the highest priority.
