Polaris RZR Power Steering test 07-2010
Polaris RZR with Power Steering 2010
Article and Photos by Don McNeilly
With the dog days of summer in full swing for us in Phoenix Arizona we loaded up our Polaris RZR 800 and headed for the mountains. The temperatures in Phoenix are hovering around 115 but in the gorgeous Rim country 2 and ½ hours north of us the highs are in the low 90’s and it cools down in the 60’s at night.
Polaris uses a sealed electronic power steering unit. All you have to do is turn the key to the on position and you can turn the steering wheel with one finger. It is a progressive system as well, meaning from 0-3 MPH it is full power steering, from there to 30 MPH it becomes less assist. After 30 there is no assist in to give the driver better steering control.
The trails in the area are very tight, twisty and in places rocky. This is a perfect location to see if the power steering helps guide our RZR through the tight maze of the Manzanita bushes.
Just after the sun comes up I climb into the driver’s seat along with Beau Mantz my test driver. We head to one of our favorite trails under the Rim. The mighty RZR 800 roars down the smooth Forest service road with ease. Maybe it is my imagination but the little RZR seems like it has more torque than I remember it having. One other thing I notice is the divot to put your heal in under the gas pedal. I wasn’t sure I liked it until I turned on the rocky trail. I found if you put pressure on your throttle foot you were able to hold the pedal steady instead of the usual on off of the gas.
The trail has changed quite a bit since I was on it last fall from our unusually wet winter. There were lots more obstacles to maneuver around and over. The power steering is remarkably agile. At slower speeds where we needed to go around fallen trees there was no effort what so ever. The trail is so tight that at times the Manzanita bushes are hitting both sides of the roll cage at the same time. Even in rocks when we needed to make quick turns it worked fantastic. It was time to switch drivers so I could get Beau’s input as well.
It’s interesting watching the 50 inch RZR pick it way around the narrow trail with ease. Beau said the steering reminded him of his Toyota’s rack and pinion steering as it is so precise.
We came across a spot where you had to thread the Polaris RZR through some large trees and make a quick 90 degree turn. Beau came into the turn hard and mashed the throttle. The stock Maxxis tires hooked up great as he went into a power slide pulling through the corner. I could see him sawing the steering wheel but it took very little effort to stay in control. In 2 wheel drive it does take quite a bit more finesse but the steering was spot on.
We also found a spot where there is a steep hill that you need to power up but as you crest the top you need to make an abrupt left hand turn or you will fly off into the trees. The RZR again handled the task without a hitch.
We hit several trails all day in several types of terrain and could not find a flaw with the power steering. We welcome it and wonder why they don’t all have it. I remember back when I started driving, most of the cars we had did not have power steering. A lot of people at the time said it is just something else to break. The same thing is said today by many offroaders. Of course it is something else that may break but think of the last time you heard of a cars power steering failing. It happens but not very often, and if it fails on your UTV you can still drive the vehicle. The UTV industry will progress and they will make their products better but I believe power steering is here to stay.
We give the power steering a thumbs up. It will help you have better control and be fresher after a long day on the trail. Give one a try and let us know what you think. Remember to always wear you safety gear even when in are in a UTV.
Read MoreArticle and Photos by Don McNeilly
With the dog days of summer in full swing for us in Phoenix Arizona we loaded up our Polaris RZR 800 and headed for the mountains. The temperatures in Phoenix are hovering around 115 but in the gorgeous Rim country 2 and ½ hours north of us the highs are in the low 90’s and it cools down in the 60’s at night.
Polaris uses a sealed electronic power steering unit. All you have to do is turn the key to the on position and you can turn the steering wheel with one finger. It is a progressive system as well, meaning from 0-3 MPH it is full power steering, from there to 30 MPH it becomes less assist. After 30 there is no assist in to give the driver better steering control.
The trails in the area are very tight, twisty and in places rocky. This is a perfect location to see if the power steering helps guide our RZR through the tight maze of the Manzanita bushes.
Just after the sun comes up I climb into the driver’s seat along with Beau Mantz my test driver. We head to one of our favorite trails under the Rim. The mighty RZR 800 roars down the smooth Forest service road with ease. Maybe it is my imagination but the little RZR seems like it has more torque than I remember it having. One other thing I notice is the divot to put your heal in under the gas pedal. I wasn’t sure I liked it until I turned on the rocky trail. I found if you put pressure on your throttle foot you were able to hold the pedal steady instead of the usual on off of the gas.
The trail has changed quite a bit since I was on it last fall from our unusually wet winter. There were lots more obstacles to maneuver around and over. The power steering is remarkably agile. At slower speeds where we needed to go around fallen trees there was no effort what so ever. The trail is so tight that at times the Manzanita bushes are hitting both sides of the roll cage at the same time. Even in rocks when we needed to make quick turns it worked fantastic. It was time to switch drivers so I could get Beau’s input as well.
It’s interesting watching the 50 inch RZR pick it way around the narrow trail with ease. Beau said the steering reminded him of his Toyota’s rack and pinion steering as it is so precise.
We came across a spot where you had to thread the Polaris RZR through some large trees and make a quick 90 degree turn. Beau came into the turn hard and mashed the throttle. The stock Maxxis tires hooked up great as he went into a power slide pulling through the corner. I could see him sawing the steering wheel but it took very little effort to stay in control. In 2 wheel drive it does take quite a bit more finesse but the steering was spot on.
We also found a spot where there is a steep hill that you need to power up but as you crest the top you need to make an abrupt left hand turn or you will fly off into the trees. The RZR again handled the task without a hitch.
We hit several trails all day in several types of terrain and could not find a flaw with the power steering. We welcome it and wonder why they don’t all have it. I remember back when I started driving, most of the cars we had did not have power steering. A lot of people at the time said it is just something else to break. The same thing is said today by many offroaders. Of course it is something else that may break but think of the last time you heard of a cars power steering failing. It happens but not very often, and if it fails on your UTV you can still drive the vehicle. The UTV industry will progress and they will make their products better but I believe power steering is here to stay.
We give the power steering a thumbs up. It will help you have better control and be fresher after a long day on the trail. Give one a try and let us know what you think. Remember to always wear you safety gear even when in are in a UTV.
