[Dillegm]

Hi all.

I’ve had my quad long enough to put about 100 hours on it, maybe a little less. The suspension on this machine is rough. A comparable sportsman seems to practically glide over bumps that send my machine bouncing all over hell and back. I’m betting they are not adjustable but does anyone have any recommendations on something I could do? I’ve already purchased a padded seat cushion to help absorb some of it, I have pretty large tires also so that helped a tiny bit.
According to dirt trax, the suspension hardness was one of their only cons when they reviewed this machine (Cforce 400s).
Also, has anyone heard of a lift kit for this machine?
Thanks very much

-Dillegm

[Cosmosdan]

Sportsmans ride nice. I've owned a lot of atvs and none were as cushy as them. There should be a preload adjustment for your shocks. You might be able to measure your shocks and find some fox or some others that will fit. A lift, I have yet to see one. If you go with longer stocks, that will get you some more clearance.

[NMKawierider]

Yeah that 400 will never ride like a Sportsman...even if you add Elkas but maybe a nice used set of Fox or Works would help. That lift or longer shocks will add to the stiffness though.

[scott09]

I have a 09 sportsman 500 x2 and i have never ridden anything has smooth as that, the cforce 400 i have is good in all aspects except for the firm ride.

[Kurt]

I had the same complaint initially so I dialed the preload all the way down on all 4 corners and dropped the tire pressures to 5psi and it's muuuuucchhh better. It's no Polaris but it really helped smooth it out.

[Dillegm]

I had the same complaint initially so I dialed the preload all the way down on all 4 corners and dropped the tire pressures to 5psi and it's muuuuucchhh better. It's no Polaris but it really helped smooth it out.

Did you lose any clearance by doing this? I gotta try this now.

I was checking out a Polaris sportsman 500 the other day and noticed it had a sway bar setup (or something like that) so maybe that's part of it.

Besides this one issue I'm very happy with this machine. The only wish I have is power steering besides this.

Thanks everyone for the help

[Kurt]

I lost about a half inch of clearance when I'm sitting on it. Well worth it to me for the improved ride (I broke my pelvis a month ago, I'll take it as smooth as I can get it lol)

You can try adjusting them with the spanner wrench in the tool kit but I found it was easier to use a large screwdriver and a hammer to tap them around. Only takes a couple minutes to do em all, if you find it's bottoming out on you too much after just tighten them back up a notch. Make sure your tire pressure are set right to, mine were all over the place from factory (between 10 and 20 psi) just setting the tire pressure made a big difference on its own.

[Cosmosdan]

Jack it up to make turning the adjuster easier

[Dillegm]

I lost about a half inch of clearance when I'm sitting on it. Well worth it to me for the improved ride (I broke my pelvis a month ago, I'll take it as smooth as I can get it lol)

You can try adjusting them with the spanner wrench in the tool kit but I found it was easier to use a large screwdriver and a hammer to tap them around. Only takes a couple minutes to do em all, if you find it's bottoming out on you too much after just tighten them back up a notch. Make sure your tire pressure are set right to, mine were all over the place from factory (between 10 and 20 psi) just setting the tire pressure made a big difference on its own.

Jack it up to make turning the adjuster easier

Thanks, I took a look and it looks like both rear are topped out and the two fronts just under that. I'll give it a go and see what happens. Can't hurt trying.
Tire pressure should be 6psi on these tires already but I'll check again and see. It's possible the dealer over inflated these when I had them mounted. pretty sure they should be around 6psi.

[scott09]

just lowered my front to 5psi makes big difference.

[NMKawierider]

Those 400s you should be able to run 4-5psi with no issues. Heck I run 4.5-5 in my 750 Brute Force.

[scott09]

running 5 all around, just back from 20km run no problems, just muddy

[Dillegm]

Those 400s you should be able to run 4-5psi with no issues. Heck I run 4.5-5 in my 750 Brute Force.

running 5 all around, just back from 20km run no problems, just muddy

I'll give it a go tomorrow and report back. Can't wait to have a softer ride.