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 manufacturers like Honda equip their quads with power steering. Although, power steering is not a standard feature for all ATV models.
In general, high-end Honda ATVs have power steering. However, smaller four-wheelers like the Honda TRX90X where the steering effort is easy and smooth don’t ship with built-in power steering. Here are the most popular Honda ATVs that have power steering:
- Honda Rancher 420
- Honda TRX250X
- Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon
- Honda FourTrax Recon
Here are the most popular Honda ATVs that don’t have power steering:
- Honda Rancher 420
- Honda TRX90X
Today I will present the top 6 most popular Honda ATVs and showcase if they have power steering or not. 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, here are the Honda quads that don’t have power steering: Rancher 420 and TRX90X. However, the lack of power steering doesn’t mean that the two Honda ATVs are on the low end. It’s actually the fact that they are 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.
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.
