Anybody have a Ranger 900 Crew with manual steering, and is it the least bit difficult to steer?

I'm kicking around the idea of a new one. A dealer told me that in the 900 Crew the green ones don't have power steering and the camo ones do, and they are $1,600 higher. He also said that anybody that has ever driven both wouldn't have one without power steering. He said it was all about low speed maneuvering. I'm kind of curious to hear it from an owner of one.

I did not think I would ever need or want power steering, but my last crew came with it. And after a while I said to myself "wow", nice! It's a heck a lot easier hold my beer in one hand and steer with the other with ease. And my grand daughter can steer it with ease, so I guess I would say it's probably worth it.

Is it nice to have yes but if you are staying stock size tires and no lift it's easy enough to drive and steer still without it.

I was also looking at it as one more thing that could sooner or later break down.

Thanks for the feedback.

Unless you are into body building, go with power steering. I don't have a ranger but I do have a polaris sportsman 570 that is power steering and I love it with no problems. Have had ps on my last two mules and never had any trouble.

Depending on how long you plan to keep it. My dad sold his rhino after 10 years and it didn't have power steering. Never had an issue turning it. Went and test drove new rangers and drove both with and without power steering. Ended up buying without. Said there wasn't an issue turning. Of course it was easier with it but not $1600 more easy. He won't ever lift and I'd be surprised if he even went with a more aggressive tire. I'd suggest test driving both and make the decision for yourself.

Based on pics I've seen on here, most could use a little exercise. Power steering for 10% of vehicle cost never made sense to me when it's extremely easy to steer without it.

the only time it makes a difference is when your crawling or stopped.. once in motion the manual is simple to steer.. my 5 yr old drives my Cub 700 with manual steering easily... and its a lesser system compared to the ranger..... I will never be able to justify PS in a UTV

Wrong! We had some hidden concrete like ant hills that would jerk the steering wheel out of your hand. On the other hand my friends Ranger went to the shop three times for extended stays during quail season, so I see both sides of the issue.

That's the bad thing about a UTV PS system is it take a bit hit every time you hit a hill like that working to keep the tires right.... when on the other side in manual steering your arms are the only thing that take the punishment... so money is about the only thing that can fix the PS but exercise and grit can fix the other... BUT there are certain folks that this could be very beneficial with health or physical boundaries

His experience with the trips to the shop would cause me to rethink the whole Ranger idea. My 12 year old Gator was more dependable than his 3 year old Ranger. He even broke a rear axel.

Ouch!

Bill, I think they are all subject to something breaking. I know one guy that broke an axle on a Mule and spend about two grand. I have family with two Polaris Razrs that haven't had any trouble. I think one is approaching 1,000 hours and hasn't seen the shop for repair.

I bought a (900) green one without power steering, and had Big Country Outdoors install the Polaris Power Steering in it after the fact. As you mentioned, it it $1600 more for the camo with power steering. But I paid only $800+ for the install of the EXACT same Power Steering systems that Polaris puts into the camo one. So, the way I look at it, Camo costs you $800. Might wanna think about going this route.

I strongly suggest power steering.

On flat smooth ground you probably don't need it. If there will be rocks/ruts/etc. it is nice to have.

That said, when I test drove the Ranger, I didn't like the PS on it. Felt sloppy and loose. Don't think I would have bought PS on a Ranger. But I did opt for it on my Mule Pro and it's very nice to have.

I just bought the 900 crew with the power steering. I would recommend it for sure!

Money bags!!!

Worth every penny to me.

I have a 13 900 crew W/O PS. Never had an issue. It can be a b!%"£ to turn when stopped but if your moving not a problem and you'll learn to prepare for ant piles the more you hit.

I have a Kubota RTV 900 XT. It is over 6 years old. It has over 3000 hours on it. I use it every day. It has power steering. It is built like a tank. In 6 years I am on the 3rd. set of tires. Have replaced the muffler and a water hose. That is it. I cannot imagine any of the other UTV's giving me that kind of service.

My Kubota 900 is over 10 years old. So far, repairs have been a new brake cable. Other than grease and fluids, that's it. My wife broke out th windshield, but that wasn't Kubota's fault.

We work this thing pretty hard.

Don't take it into deep mud. Not a mud machine.