Hi, we are new to this site. Looks great, lot's of good info. Wife's 400auto handles poorly on trails. Mostly hard pan and gravel, some mud. She weighs about 140 #. Shocks adjusted all the way down, constantly chasing the steering. We have tried other settings. I didn't believe her until I rode it. I have a 500auto and it rides pretty smooth. One handed mostly. The 400 requires both hands and requires constant steering to keep it straight on long flat trails. Maybe 1 to 2" of handlebar travel, speed doesn't matter, only not as noticeable at slower speeds (5-10 mph). It only has about 500 miles on it and I've checked all the steering components.(tie rods, ball joints, A arm bushings, linkages, even handle bar mounts) Tire pressure 5 psi, and i've tried as low as 3 and as hi as 10. No difference. Is there an adjustment on the steering friction? Maybe wider tires? My next trick will be to swap the wheels/tires from the 400 to 500 and vise versa. Appreciate any input. Dealer told us when we got em' the frames were the same, basically same machine except engine size, and i believed him. Now I don't.

 

Tires at 5 psi and do a frontend alignment.

 

I had the same problem on my 06 400 Auto. I adjusted the front end so that it had 1/16 inch toe-in and that made a difference. I think that I will go to 1/8 toe-in and see how much of a change that will make to the steering.

 

put the bike on a level surface with the wheels straight,both wheels should be the same,if not which i figure it ain't adjust the toe.... wayout, out "LIFES GOOD "

 

I started having steering problems with my 400i over a year ago. I aligned the front end and checked the components, replaced the tires (put 26 inch mudlites on) and things improved dramatically. Now with over 3500 miles on it it had a funny bump steer thing going on when I turned left. Upon closer inspection I discoverd the springs on my shocks are tired on my right front. So Santa brought me a Heavy Duty spring kit from High Lifter at Christmas but I have't had time to install them to see if it helps.

It should help quite a bit plus its supposed to help keep the machine more stable when carrying loads. Reasonably priced, I think it was $150 total. Good idea swapping your tires between the 400 and 500 as long as they are the same tire. Are the rest of the steering/suspension components the same though? Springs and such?

Does your wife drive it in 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive? My wife does not like how hard it steers in 4 wheel drive but its the nature if the beast I think.

SJ

 

I broke a steering arm on the 500 TRV and it took some time to get the alignment right again. By the book it had to much toe-out and wanted to do its own turning. To much toe-in and its hard to steer. A 400 steers pretty light handed out of the box. I've road maybe - 50 of them???? Its a frequent machine to show up at youth testing sessions.