• We are no longer supporting TapaTalk as a mobile app for our sites. The TapaTalk App has many issues with speed on our server as well as security holes that leave us vulnerable to attacks and spammers.

Mechanical Power Steering for Sidewinder - BTX & XTX "bone spindle" kits now available

What setting are you running on the kit?

  • Front

    Votes: 1 16.7%

  • Middle

    Votes: 1 16.7%

  • Rear (easiest steering)

    Votes: 4 66.7%
  • Total voters
    6
  • Poll closed .
To date, the only ones to test it on snow are my father and I. My father had an EPS apex for the past four seasons. He was involved in all my testing and prior to my kit he had no interest in giving up his apex for a viper or sidewinder. Needless to say, for the upcoming season he will now be on 2016 viper.


plake said:
I am really interested in this kit. Coming off a Apex with EPS. Any real world experience out there???? I must say I have heavy steering on my 2017 LTX Sidewinder.
Click to expand...
 

Been awhile since I posted anything on this thread. Talked to a few people concerned about the increased turning radius. What people have to remember is that at speed on the trail you will never turn the bars stop to stop to navigate a turn. As my dealer put it, "If you have to turn the bars against the stop to make a turn you've already crashed the turn". Never really thought of it this way, but it's true. If you have to turn bars against the stops to navigate a turn then the skis are not biting. If anything I would say MPS will offer more confidence and precision in turning due to the fact that one can run aggressive ski pressure.
 
Just installed mine. Was not very hard at all. The ski alignment was probably the hardest part but i think i have it close enough.
Wife jumped on my winder with the regular set up and then her viper with the MPS system just turning on concrete she noticed the difference immediately
 
Last edited:
Well I guess those with the MPS are not getting tired arms and shoulders and refuse to stop riding to post any trail time feedback! ;)!
 
Here you go Travis! I posted this on the install thread...

"Got the opportunity to ride my Winder on the trails for the first time this past weekend.... WOW! This is by far the best all around sled I have ever experienced. Love it!

Here is some feedback on the MPS: Looking at and understanding the physics of the system lends to an absolute conclusion that it will work as advertised. It does. I started out (first 40 miles) with the tie rods installed in the holes farthest away from the spindles. The ease of steering was greater than I recieve from my EPS Apex. My Apex was also on the trail and I had the opportunity to try them back to back.

Travis stated that the downside to installing this system is that the turning radius is reduced. Yes, this is true but at the same time there is a greater amount of handlebar travel required to move the skis. I found this wierd and did not like the feeling that the skis were pushing when in actuality they were not. I am sure that with a little time it would start to feel normal.

On the second trip out I moved the tie rods to the closest hole to the spindles and headed out. (I should mention that moving through the 3 mounting positions did not change the ski alignment so if you have this installed feel free to experiment. I checked that when I had the sled in my shop in Illinois prior to heading into the northwoods of Wisconsin.) I preferred this setting. Although the turning radious and handlebar throw are still altered, it felt much closer to "normal" and provides easier steering from the stock setup.

I did not ride this sled without the MPS installed so I will switch to the stock configuration, at some point, to compare and report back."
 
Soldier'spapa said:
Here you go Travis! I posted this on the install thread...

"Got the opportunity to ride my Winder on the trails for the first time this past weekend.... WOW! This is by far the best all around sled I have ever experienced. Love it!

Here is some feedback on the MPS: Looking at and understanding the physics of the system lends to an absolute conclusion that it will work as advertised. It does. I started out (first 40 miles) with the tie rods installed in the holes farthest away from the spindles. The ease of steering was greater than I recieve from my EPS Apex. My Apex was also on the trail and I had the opportunity to try them back to back.

Travis stated that the downside to installing this system is that the turning radius is reduced. Yes, this is true but at the same time there is a greater amount of handlebar travel required to move the skis. I found this wierd and did not like the feeling that the skis were pushing when in actuality they were not. I am sure that with a little time it would start to feel normal.

On the second trip out I moved the tie rods to the closest hole to the spindles and headed out. (I should mention that moving through the 3 mounting positions did not change the ski alignment so if you have this installed feel free to experiment. I checked that when I had the sled in my shop in Illinois prior to heading into the northwoods of Wisconsin.) I preferred this setting. Although the turning radious and handlebar throw are still altered, it felt much closer to "normal" and provides easier steering from the stock setup.

I did not ride this sled without the MPS installed so I will switch to the stock configuration, at some point, to compare and report back."
Click to expand...
Good feedback!
 
Put 500 miles on my 16 Viper LTX with the MPS kit. Was very pleased after 3 days of riding. Can honestly say I did not miss the EPS from my 11 Apex at all.
 
The 3rd hole (easiest) We ran a lot of tight twisty trails and worked great. Was going to change to different hole but seen no reason to.
 
theewarrior said:
I noticed that where the part bolts to the spindle on the btx is different,, is there a different kit for this?
Click to expand...

I am aware the newer mtx/btx is a different spindle. I don't feel powder guys are really going to need this product so have not developed anything for that spindle.
 
After nearly 1,000 miles, PERFECT!!! Others have also tried my sled and will be buyers of Travis' kit. It is Brilliant, period. It takes an already awesome sled to an even higher level.

It adds the equivalent of POWER STEERING and all of its benefits.
 
How about a 38-40" non mtx/btx style front end, do you just order the 38 or 40 tie rod ends and put your bends in those or is it more complicated, i love my 15 ltx turbo and dont mind the weight of the sled but need to lighten up the steering.
 
For those running the kit what positions are all of you running it in? Are the 3 holes needed? Expanding concept to other models and wandering if I should stick with the 3 positions of adjustment. My father and I have nearly 1000 miles each this season so far and we just run it on the easiest setting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
2022 EPS Power Steering review
2 3 4
Replies
50
Views
10K
STAIN
S


Back
Top