I have 2x ZForce 500s, both 2018. One for me and one for my wife. Both came with what looks like the preload pretty much maxing the spring compression. It's very stiff, which I don't mind too much on mine, but my wife has a bad back and is looking for a little bit of a plusher ride. I've put spacers between the seat mounts and the seats to make the seating position a bit more upright and now I figured I could adjust the preload for a softer ride. I've never tinkered with suspension settings before, I'm just wondering if I can back it off a bit without messing with the compression and rebound. Any advice?

Next, I'm looking for a bit more ground clearance on mine. I've looked at the 2" high lifter and a few other similar kits. I also wondered about bigger tires. I do also ride some long and level trails for decently high mileage and want to find an option that doesn't put too much extra wear on the machine.

Lastly, for a bit of extra stability on the 50" models, how do the 1" wheel spacers work?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd just rather post once then repeatly, and some knowledgeable people may have thoughts on all subjects!

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

I'll

I have 2x ZForce 500s, both 2018. One for me and one for my wife. Both came with what looks like the preload pretty much maxing the spring compression. It's very stiff, which I don't mind too much on mine, but my wife has a bad back and is looking for a little bit of a plusher ride. I've put spacers between the seat mounts and the seats to make the seating position a bit more upright and now I figured I could adjust the preload for a softer ride. I've never tinkered with suspension settings before, I'm just wondering if I can back it off a bit without messing with the compression and rebound. Any advice?

Next, I'm looking for a bit more ground clearance on mine. I've looked at the 2" high lifter and a few other similar kits. I also wondered about bigger tires. I do also ride some long and level trails for decently high mileage and want to find an option that doesn't put too much extra wear on the machine.

Lastly, for a bit of extra stability on the 50" models, how do the 1" wheel spacers work?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd just rather post once then repeatly, and some knowledgeable people may have thoughts on all subjects!

I'll try and answer as many as I can

Yes, you can adjust the preload without adjusting the compression and rebound settings but...you may want to set the compression as light as possible and go a bit stiffer on the rebound first and see how it rides. Otherwise remember to maintain your ride height and attack angle..that is about a 1/2" lower in front then in back with passinger(s). Ideally the suspension will gime you the best overall ride if it is statically in the center of its travel which is 50/50 to 60/40...that would be 10% more compression then rebound.

On any trail width models, I don't recommend any lifts because of the short a-arms and CV joint angles but some feel the need. A Bracket lift 2"s and less if you must.. but expect some suspension issues over time.

On spacers- I run...and have been running 1.5" spacers for a while now with no issues other then increased wear on knuckle bushings. The increased...well.."perceived" increase in stability along with the beefer looks is worth it...to me.

     

I'll

I have 2x ZForce 500s, both 2018. One for me and one for my wife. Both came with what looks like the preload pretty much maxing the spring compression. It's very stiff, which I don't mind too much on mine, but my wife has a bad back and is looking for a little bit of a plusher ride. I've put spacers between the seat mounts and the seats to make the seating position a bit more upright and now I figured I could adjust the preload for a softer ride. I've never tinkered with suspension settings before, I'm just wondering if I can back it off a bit without messing with the compression and rebound. Any advice?

Next, I'm looking for a bit more ground clearance on mine. I've looked at the 2" high lifter and a few other similar kits. I also wondered about bigger tires. I do also ride some long and level trails for decently high mileage and want to find an option that doesn't put too much extra wear on the machine.

Lastly, for a bit of extra stability on the 50" models, how do the 1" wheel spacers work?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd just rather post once then repeatly, and some knowledgeable people may have thoughts on all subjects!

I'll try and answer as many as I can

Yes, you can adjust the preload without adjusting the compression and rebound settings but...you may want to set the compression as light as possible and go a bit stiffer on the rebound first and see how it rides. Otherwise remember to maintain your ride height and attack angle..that is about a 1/2" lower in front then in back with passinger(s). Ideally the suspension will gime you the best overall ride if it is statically in the center of its travel which is 50/50 to 60/40...that would be 10% more compression then rebound.

On any trail width models, I don't recommend any lifts because of the short a-arms and CV joint angles but some feel the need. A Bracket lift 2"s and less if you must.. but expect some suspension issues over time.

On spacers- I run...and have been running 1.5" spacers for a while now with no issues other then increased wear on knuckle bushings. The increased...well.."perceived" increase in stability along with the beefer looks is worth it...to me.

   

Thanks for the reply. I adjusted it what I thought was just a little bit, but the springs ended up free-floating while unloaded (on a jack stand). Is this too much or will it be fine once the weight of the machine compresses it a bit?

What's the easiest way to measure the attack angle?

Makes sense with the A-arm/CV angles. How about some bigger tires? Too much strain on the 500?

What's my best bet for spacers?

So many questions!

You've personally been a big source of info from my searches, so thanks again.

I adjusted it what I thought was just a little bit, but the springs ended up free-floating while unloaded

Free float is not good.  You should have minimum five mm tension on the springs, otherwise there will be some slapping around of the spring when the suspension is unloaded during your rides (it happens more then you will notice).  Anything slapping around can do damage.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

I'll

I have 2x ZForce 500s, both 2018. One for me and one for my wife. Both came with what looks like the preload pretty much maxing the spring compression. It's very stiff, which I don't mind too much on mine, but my wife has a bad back and is looking for a little bit of a plusher ride. I've put spacers between the seat mounts and the seats to make the seating position a bit more upright and now I figured I could adjust the preload for a softer ride. I've never tinkered with suspension settings before, I'm just wondering if I can back it off a bit without messing with the compression and rebound. Any advice?

Next, I'm looking for a bit more ground clearance on mine. I've looked at the 2" high lifter and a few other similar kits. I also wondered about bigger tires. I do also ride some long and level trails for decently high mileage and want to find an option that doesn't put too much extra wear on the machine.

Lastly, for a bit of extra stability on the 50" models, how do the 1" wheel spacers work?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd just rather post once then repeatly, and some knowledgeable people may have thoughts on all subjects!

I'll try and answer as many as I can

Yes, you can adjust the preload without adjusting the compression and rebound settings but...you may want to set the compression as light as possible and go a bit stiffer on the rebound first and see how it rides. Otherwise remember to maintain your ride height and attack angle..that is about a 1/2" lower in front then in back with passinger(s). Ideally the suspension will gime you the best overall ride if it is statically in the center of its travel which is 50/50 to 60/40...that would be 10% more compression then rebound.

On any trail width models, I don't recommend any lifts because of the short a-arms and CV joint angles but some feel the need. A Bracket lift 2"s and less if you must.. but expect some suspension issues over time.

On spacers- I run...and have been running 1.5" spacers for a while now with no issues other then increased wear on knuckle bushings. The increased...well.."perceived" increase in stability along with the beefer looks is worth it...to me.

   

Thanks for the reply. I adjusted it what I thought was just a little bit, but the springs ended up free-floating while unloaded (on a jack stand). Is this too much or will it be fine once the weight of the machine compresses it a bit?

What's the easiest way to measure the attack angle?

Makes sense with the A-arm/CV angles. How about some bigger tires? Too much strain on the 500?

What's my best bet for spacers?

So many questions!

You've personally been a big source of info from my searches, so thanks again.

Well, yes, a lot is a turn or two on the preload in either direction. A little is a 1/4-1/2 turn. Sounds like you went a bit farther. Need to go back to where it was then make smaller adjustments. Like cr2crf sais fully extended there must be some tension on them. I'm hoping you measured from the top of the adjuster ring (not the lock ring) to the top of the threads before starting so you can go back. 5mm makes an inch of difference it seems and each turn is about two millimeters as I recall.

Measure from the front and back of the flat skid plate to the floor for height and angle.

Tires on the 500s? Just me but I would stay with 28s or less. And you will need to reclock the clutch for sure.

Your choice on spacers I would stay with 1.5 or less. Remember- use lug-centric 4/110s only. I can link you with what I used if you want.