Ask The Editors: Why Does Soft Suspension = Stiff Ride?
Dear ATVC:
I’m having a hard time dialing in the suspension on my Polaris Outlaw MXR and wonder if you could help. You guys have said that harsh feeling suspension can mean I’m running my settings too soft. I can’t really wrap my head around this concept. Please explain.
Sure- the reason for this seemingly opposite effect of what logic suggests is actually quite simple: modern suspension is progressive by nature meaning the further you travel down the stroke, the stiffer it gets. Why does it do this? Because from an engineering perspective, by the time you’re down to that final inch or two, odds are pretty good you don’t want to continue blowing through your travel until bottoming out the shock.
What actually happens is that suspension is designed to “ramp up” as it compresses- It starts off soft initially to absorb small trail clatter and terrain imperfections but becomes increasingly resistant as you move through the stroke to avoid metal on metal contact of a full bottom-out from a big hit (think landing from a jump) or a high-speed impact.
When your suspension is set up too soft for your body weight & riding style, you are literally bypassing that initial plushness and operating directly in the range where it ramps up; explaining why going soft can feel too stiff.
Correct these issues by properly setting up your sag (preload) and then fine-tune your feel using the shocks’ compression clickers.
