Thanks to the increasing availability of power steering, fewer quad riders have to wrestle with their machines when front drive wheels threaten to snatch the handlebars from their grip.
Yamaha pioneered the idea with an electrically controlled system that responds to rider inputs. It is carefully tuned to cushion kick-back and give some help when making a turn but avoids being over-light at other times – and it makes a real difference to riding ease and comfort.
Electric power steering is installed on the powerful Grizzly 550 and 700 models, and can now be had on the Grizzly 450 as well – although there is still a non-EPS 450 model in the line-up.
Polaris has installed muscle-easing electronic power steering on its high-performance Sportsman 550 EFI and 850 EFI quads; Honda has just introduced its own system as an option on the Fourtrax 420 S; and power steering is fitted to the sporty Arctic Cat 550 and 700 models, including the long-wheel base two-seater versions.
Other newcomers include the first four-wheel drive Apache quad in the shape of the RLX 400/420 Landowner Utility. Unlike the two-wheel drive machines, which are equipped for road use, this model is intended for off-road use only.
The Odes Workman range has been extended to include two models with selectable two- and four-wheel drive (one of them with five-speed electric shift) instead of the permanent-engaged system employed on the existing model. The importer also promises 400, 500 and 800 models with a new CVT drive.
Suzuki’s range has been updated with the LT-A450 being replaced by the quicker and sleeker KingQuad LT-A500X with selectable front drive and a high/low CVT transmission, while Kymco has trimmed its work-orientated quad range to just two models by dropping the MXU 400 RL from between the similar 300 and 500 models.