reasons for adjusting springs?

[solid_crimson]

Im just curious about why everyone adjusts their springs in the rear. My 500ho is really soft in the rear. Im wondering if this would help and if others do this what is the main reason they do want to adjust them? Thanks guys!

[solid_crimson]

Anyone?

[bgirard420]

When you say soft, are you bottoming out?? What model do you have and what are you trying to accomplish by changing the tension??

Many people will increase the tension in relation to load. Examples: If you are heavy and carrying a dead dear on the back or towing a heavy trailer then the added weight may bottom out your suspesion in the rear. Add a plow and winch and the front end sags under the load. Because of this, the front tends to be more of an issue than the rear. There are many limitations to just increasing tension so some opt to add stiffer (HD) springs, particularly in the front.

[lost cause]

You adjust them to either stiffen or soften your springs depending on your weight/riding style.

[solid_crimson]

My problem is in the rear. I think im bottoming out. I weigh about 220the and when I ride for a bit then get off my quad I notice that it doesn't spring back up all the way. Compared to what it use to. Its an inch off from where it was. ... I have a 2011 polaris sportsman 500ho. With about 70 hours on it.

[bgirard420]

I hear ya now. Get a good pair of channel locks and go to town, can't hurt to see how you like it with them turned up. If that doesn't quite get you what you're looking for then you may want to look into HD springs. Mine doesn't return all the way up when I get off either, sits down a inch or 2 but I can't say I've ever bottomed out.

[solid_crimson]

Sounds like what im experiencing is normal then. But what would you consider bottoming out.

[bgirard420]

I call bottoming out when the springs under load reach the maximum compression and end up transferring energy to the frame. A "thud" so-to-speak. I've done it once with my front end carrying a load beyond the recommended amount and once going over whoops. I've never had it happen in the rears. Do you feel the rear sags? HD's should help it stand up a little taller if this is the case.

[solid_crimson]

I feel that it does sag a little. But it is fine when I ride it. It is just when I get off then I notice when I pull up on the rear it will lift up 1 maybe 2 inches. I am just concerned with it not springing itself back up all the way. Does this sound odd or am I being paranoid. I just want to make sure that I'm taking care of my quad.

[bgirard420]

I could be wrong but I believe that there should be a certain amount of compression of the spring from the mere weight of the machine alone. Mine moves just like yours, about an inch or two. I think it has something to do with down travel. A soft spring with some preload will extend your suspension downward when you are going over ruts, bumps and jumps which adds stability by keeping "rubber on the road."

I just installed richochet ultimate protection and I had an issue in the rear because of this. I am actually in the process or writing a post to help others who may do the same as me but I digress. Briefly, I put the rear a arm guards on with the quad on the ground and suspension drooping an inch under the weight of the machine. When I went out to ride, the down travel was actually causing the guard to take out my rear brake caliper and leaving me without brakes!! I ended up trimming it and now it's fine but it took me a few minutes to figure out what was going on. It was a little scary