BOP power steering

[SideHogger]

My dad has 10k miles on his BOP MPS kit. It has been flawless. This kit rocks as long as you are okay with loosing a small amount of turning radius.

Are you running the 1st generation or the second of the BOP power steering?

 

[number1kyster]

I didn't know he had multiple generations?

He bought his kit the first season they were available.

 

[1780xtx]

Got this kit a couple of years ago and put it on my 2009 Nytro XTX. Being aware of the concerns of slightly reduced turning radius, first thing I did was run it up my 52 inch wide trail that zigzags through the 20 inch diameter poplars up to the hydro line one kilometer away. Absolutely no problems, turning radius is a non issue in the twisties. So for that one time that you make a U turn on a narrow road, you would never notice the difference.

 

[SideHogger]

I didn't know he had multiple generations?

He bought his kit the first season they were available.

Yes, he changed location of mounting point because some were complaining of bump steer in corners.

 

[KnappAttack]

Yes, he changed location of mounting point because some were complaining of bump steer in corners.

Yes, I was one of them. In fact I removed the first version because of that very reason, it had bad bump steer, the new version still has a wee bit technically but nothing like the first version. Version 1 would toe out the skis as it stroked thru its travel by well over an inch to an inch and a half as I recall. It was really bad and twitchy in the bumps, it would go left and it may go right, it didn't really know which way it wants to go as it stroked thru the front end travel using SnowTrackers. Version 1 had tie rod angles that were no like stock, they had a different angle to them and ran on a different plane, I forgot which way though.

Version 2 still toes out ever so slightly as the suspension strokes thru the travel, but less than 1/4 -1/2" so very manageable. It's not enough to notice when you're riding it at all. For comparison the Doos have double that stock! A stock Procross is about 1/8-1/4". Its almost perfect for bump steer and why it handles so nicely and not twitchy at all. Version 2 had the tied rods on the same plane as the stock ones were.

 

[jminor1]

Old thread but wondering if anyone has a pic of gen1 vs gen2..

 

[SideHogger]

Old thread but wondering if anyone has a pic of gen1 vs gen2..

Since you brought it back, I was hoping more would chime in on their impressions of it.

 

[DennyTuna]

I ran the first version for 3 years, it does what its advertised to do...make the steering easier. I have converted to version 2 for this year. Here is my experience with MPS. I have only run mine on the first hole because it does make it that much easier and I didn't need it to be easier and lose more turning radius. Version 1 has not been flawless, original design used bolts with nut for a cotter pin, as much as I tried they would always loosen during the season. Early version included a new heim joint knuckle that would always be loose, went back to OEM knuckle problem solved. The main issue I have and the reason I'm using Version 2 now is the pre bent steering arms. Setting toe in/out is not easy to do when using the pre bent arms that come with the kit. With version 2 it keeps your steering arms on plain with stock and as Knappy said reduces bump steer close to stock. So with version 2 like Knapp I'm running the staraight OEM arms, the only down side is you can't run it in the easiest hole as it will not clear the bulk head opening. For me that is not a problem as I've only run version 1 in the first hole. The real win for me is being able to set toe in/out correctly. I might try the second hole this year and see if I like it even better.

 

[Todd Beenen]

I just bought this kit, I’ll use the stock rods,so which hole do I use the middle? And yes both my shoulders are in terrible shape, I’m just looking to ease the pain a bit.

 

[DennyTuna]

Yep that's the hole knappy recommends and what he's used and likes. I'm gonna try it this year as well.

 

[Todd Beenen]

Yep that's the hole knappy recommends and what he's used and likes. I'm gonna try it this year as well.

Thanks Denny.

 

[SideHogger]

I ran the first version for 3 years, it does what its advertised to do...make the steering easier. I have converted to version 2 for this year. Here is my experience with MPS. I have only run mine on the first hole because it does make it that much easier and I didn't need it to be easier and lose more turning radius. Version 1 has not been flawless, original design used bolts with nut for a cotter pin, as much as I tried they would always loosen during the season. Early version included a new heim joint knuckle that would always be loose, went back to OEM knuckle problem solved. The main issue I have and the reason I'm using Version 2 now is the pre bent steering arms. Setting toe in/out is not easy to do when using the pre bent arms that come with the kit. With version 2 it keeps your steering arms on plain with stock and as Knappy said reduces bump steer close to stock. So with version 2 like Knapp I'm running the staraight OEM arms, the only down side is you can't run it in the easiest hole as it will not clear the bulk head opening. For me that is not a problem as I've only run version 1 in the first hole. The real win for me is being able to set toe in/out correctly. I might try the second hole this year and see if I like it even better.

Thanks for the review. I am doing same with stock steering arms in middle hole. Will give evaluation when and if we get SNOW!!! And hoping others will chime in! Thanks again!!!!