Go Back   Off Highway Vehicle Forum - ATVs | Dirt Bikes | Snowmobiles | Watercrafts > ATV Forums > Sport ATVs General Discussion
Become a Supporting Member         Become a Preferred Vendor

Sport ATVs General Discussion Anything in general about Sport ATV's

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-21-2012, 03:12 AM   #1
Humvee21
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Age: 31
Posts: 56
Default Adjusting suspension
This was a while back like last year. I was riding my Wolverine 450 on the usual small track nearby and it had just rained hard for a whole week. I noticed there was a section that used to be flat and smooth, but became bumpy deep whoops. I took it way too fast and I was obviously running out of suspension travel. The rear kicked up and flung me forward off the quad.

So now I am trying to adjust my rear suspension, since I can adjust it from the factory.

My question is in this type of situation should I adjust my preload to be stiffer or softer? I would think softer to absorb more but softer would just mean that I would run out of suspension travel quicker because I am losing damping??

I have no idea. I'm a complete newb to the suspension stuff so help me out
Humvee21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 03:17 AM   #2
 
nosbusa's Avatar
nosbusa
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: on FRF
Age: 45
Posts: 956
Default
at those speeds, i think is better to upgrade your oem suspension first. just like our raptors, they can only take so much before needing more travel
nosbusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 03:20 AM   #3
Humvee21
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Age: 31
Posts: 56
Default
I jsut don't feel that it's necessary to upgrade for me because this is the only instance I have ever outran my stock suspension. And I have ridden this quad since new in 2006. I was hoping maybe I could try to maximize the stock suspension's capability and then upgrade if needed
Humvee21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 03:22 AM   #4
SBA800
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Age: 32
Posts: 952
Default
well, it depends why your rear is getting kicked, is it running out of room, or is it because its to stiff. could be either or.

and changes would need to be made accordingly. spend some time in the section trying different settings to see what works, then you know for future reference.

i have adjustable shocks on my sled, still have to get it dialed in for my riding style, but it depends on the riding you are doing as to what you need.
SBA800 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 03:22 AM   #5
 
nosbusa's Avatar
nosbusa
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: on FRF
Age: 45
Posts: 956
Default
a stiffer shock will rebound quicker allowing it to be ready for the next bump. a softer shock will provide a smother ride
nosbusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 03:25 AM   #6
Humvee21
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Age: 31
Posts: 56
Default
Right now I adjusted the preload to softer. I just haven't had the chance to go test it yet. But I'll keep everyone's advice in mind. Thanks
Humvee21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 03:25 AM   #7
ISFast
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 30
Default
I would say you ran out of travel. Right now my 700 is set up pretty soft due to the way i drive but I feel like if i was going to run through whoops I would need it set up a little stiffer so it would soak up but not bottom out. If you are bottoming out when it needs to be stiff. But i really dont know that much about shock set up.
ISFast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 11:07 AM   #8
Humvee21
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Age: 31
Posts: 56
Default
Originally Posted by ISFast View Post
I would say you ran out of travel. Right now my 700 is set up pretty soft due to the way i drive but I feel like if i was going to run through whoops I would need it set up a little stiffer so it would soak up but not bottom out. If you are bottoming out when it needs to be stiff. But i really dont know that much about shock set up.
My thoughts exactly. I'll give the soft a try for now because it's getting a little stiff for my back
Humvee21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 11:41 AM   #9
 
nosbusa's Avatar
nosbusa
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: on FRF
Age: 45
Posts: 956
Default
Originally Posted by Humvee21 View Post
My thoughts exactly. I'll give the soft a try for now because it's getting a little stiff for my back
you arent old........
nosbusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 12:47 PM   #10
Humvee21
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Age: 31
Posts: 56
Default
I am not... that's just how f'ed up my back is
Humvee21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 11:27 PM   #11
 
nosbusa's Avatar
nosbusa
Full Access Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: on FRF
Age: 45
Posts: 956
Default
wimp......



haha, i know all about back problems. i had surgery earlier this year. hope you heal well
nosbusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump