[NMKawierider]

Ok, got the rear shocks measured on the 800 EX.  22 3/16" eye to eye. 

I just installed the superatv rear high clearance a-arms, so made sure to measure it.  The rear spring is really wound down on the rears, almost until it is out of threads.  Would kill to have a nice soft spring on the rear that kept the ground clearance about where it is at (12" or so).

Have you measured the height of the spring itself? I mean just the spring off the shock...or with the preload loosened completely off. If its about 13, 14 inches I'll bet you could use the rears for the trails...or even better, the set for the WildCat trail as they have different rates. 

[Sockman]

Ok, got the rear shocks measured on the 800 EX.  22 3/16" eye to eye. 

I just installed the superatv rear high clearance a-arms, so made sure to measure it.  The rear spring is really wound down on the rears, almost until it is out of threads.  Would kill to have a nice soft spring on the rear that kept the ground clearance about where it is at (12" or so).

Have you measured the height of the spring itself? I mean just the spring off the shock...or with the preload loosened completely off. If its about 13, 14 inches I'll bet you could use the rears for the trails...or even better, the set for the WildCat trail as they have different rates.

I didn't.  Might be able to do that.  Still need to adjust the camber on the rear so will be monkeying around with it.  It's soooo stiff.

[motoman]

How are they shipping? USPS is the most economical, UPS is whom I refer to as the shipping Nazi's.

Ordered on the 8th, got them today. (20th)

[Sockman]

Ok, got some spring dimensions for the rear shocks of the 800 EX, if you care to share them with your vendor.

Overall uncompressed spring length is 14 3/8".  Inside diameter of the spring is 2".  Outside diameter is 2 3/4".  Looks like the total shock travel is about 5".  Looks like the shock could handle a spring length max of 17".  That's the measurement of the bottom of the spring mount area up to the top of the threaded area with allowance for the two threaded spring nuts.  And again, the overall shock length (eye to eye) is around 22 1/4".

A replacement spring could easily be 2" longer than the stock one and still have plenty of threads.

Double edit:  I see someone had already done all this.  Also, didn't realize there was a ID size difference on the ends.

[Sockman]

Ok, this is what I got back from Bandit.

"Hello Clark,
Glad to help you out. And yes we are still waiting for the springs to be finished and delivered. We have quite a lot of springs on this order. And the coil manufacturer we use makes springs for other companies and they are running behind this time of year. We are hoping to get confirmation from them soon that our order is finished.
As for the rear EX springs. We do have 225 lb 13 inch free length springs that have 46 mm inner diameter on one end. And 50 mm on the other end. Attached is a photo. It is a barrel shaped spring. I hope this helps.
Thanks
Kelly Cates
Bandit Utv Suspension"

The only things I see that could be a problem is first, the barrow shape. It may interfere with the reservoir..but may not. The end sizes are the same as the centering shoulders so they may need to be taken-down a bit. And the length is 1.3/8" shorter. That actually probably won't be a problem as they are a 225lb rated spring. Contact Kelly if you want to try a set. The email is: banditutv@yahoo.com   

Ok, I double checked my measurements today.  Top ID is 50mm and bottom is 48mm.  Agree overall length is 14 3/8".  The shock could easily handle a spring that is 17" without having to compress it to get it on.  It looks like it is really compressed, but the fact is it is only probably a down a couple inches from the time the tightener actually comes into contact with the spring.  Believe these are really heavy springs.

Can you check with your source to see if my measurements result in any different options?

[NMKawierider]

Ok, this is what I got back from Bandit.

"Hello Clark,
Glad to help you out. And yes we are still waiting for the springs to be finished and delivered. We have quite a lot of springs on this order. And the coil manufacturer we use makes springs for other companies and they are running behind this time of year. We are hoping to get confirmation from them soon that our order is finished.
As for the rear EX springs. We do have 225 lb 13 inch free length springs that have 46 mm inner diameter on one end. And 50 mm on the other end. Attached is a photo. It is a barrel shaped spring. I hope this helps.
Thanks
Kelly Cates
Bandit Utv Suspension"

The only things I see that could be a problem is first, the barrow shape. It may interfere with the reservoir..but may not. The end sizes are the same as the centering shoulders so they may need to be taken-down a bit. And the length is 1.3/8" shorter. That actually probably won't be a problem as they are a 225lb rated spring. Contact Kelly if you want to try a set. The email is: banditutv@yahoo.com   

Ok, I double checked my measurements today.  Top ID is 50mm and bottom is 48mm.  Agree overall length is 14 3/8".  The shock could easily handle a spring that is 17" without having to compress it to get it on.  It looks like it is really compressed, but the fact is it is only probably a down a couple inches from the time the tightener actually comes into contact with the spring.  Believe these are really heavy springs.

Can you check with your source to see if my measurements result in any different options?

I can...and get back to you with the result. It's odd though that the ends would be different. Both should be 48mm. Assuming you measured the stock springs could it be the top was messed-up and fit the retainer loose?

[Sockman]

I could have gotten the ends mixed up, but one end is definitely 50mm and the other is 48m.  I could not flip it upside down and make it work.  The spring does not have an obvious, visual taper, though. 

[NMKawierider]

I could have gotten the ends mixed up, but one end is definitely 50mm and the other is 48m.  I could not flip it upside down and make it work.  The spring does not have an obvious, visual taper, though. 

Cool...I just sent them the info.Let's see what they come back with.

[NMKawierider]

PS. I assume both front and rear shocks on the EX are the same length...and would take the same length spring.

[Sockman]

I haven't taken the fronts off, so I don't know.  The front suspension actually compresses and rebounds ok - although I would like a bit more clearance.  My biggest concern is the rear, and I honestly think that's where you feel the lack of suspension the most.  Like I said before, I jump up and down on the rear receiver and the rear suspension barely moves.

[NMKawierider]

OK, heard back from Ted. Looks like the EX springs are on the way so hang tight. Here's what he had to say:

"Hello Clark,
Good to hear from you. I actually have them on order. Same rates 200 front and 250 rear. Since they will be linear springs we will have them made slightly lower rate than the shocks we have built using 210 dual rate front springs and 300 dual rate rear springs. I hope to have the new springs available in maybe 5 weeks.

Thanks,
Ted
Bandit Utv Suspension"

[Sockman]

OK, heard back from Ted. Looks like the EX springs are on the way so hang tight. Here's what he had to say:

"Hello Clark,
Good to hear from you. I actually have them on order. Same rates 200 front and 250 rear. Since they will be linear springs we will have them made slightly lower rate than the shocks we have built using 210 dual rate front springs and 300 dual rate rear springs. I hope to have the new springs available in maybe 5 weeks.

Thanks,
Ted
Bandit Utv Suspension"

Awesome, thanks!


FYI - the bottom of the spring is 50mm, the top is a little tighter.  I really don't see why a 50mm spring wouldn't work top and bottom, it'll just be a bit sloppy on the top until tightened down.  My other thought was if they had a 2" dual rate spring (and the intermediate piece that goes between the springs) and see if that would help.

Edit:  Found this neat calculator.  May have to double check my measurements and put them in here.

http://www.maultechatv.com/techguides/spring%20rate%20calculator/index.php

[Sockman]

So I ran the spring rate calculator from that website, and I get roughly 165 coil spring rate.  So I guess it makes sense that these are preloaded so much since they don't have the spring rate to handle the weight.  Then, once they are so far loaded, you have very little travel.  I guess in theory a heavier spring rate should correct the problem. 

Also located this website which has springs to purchase. 

https://www.hygearsuspension.com/pages/springs

[Devonellis]

Has any one run the bandit springs that also has the 2" bracket lift installed from the 800 rzr?. I've got both the bracket lift and the spring spacers from highlifter installed on my trail. Machine sits about 12" to the skid plate in the rear with my rear springs set at about 4" down the coil. I'd like to soften up the rear while keeping lots of clearance

[NMKawierider]

Any kind of lift is murder on the trail's short suspension. Just no way to have a decent ride and great clearance with such short a-arms.