A few weeks ago someone here put up a post about how they stiffened their suspension and it made a huge difference. I replied that when I did that to mine, it rode better, but didn't perform any better/worst. I guessed that the reason they felt the difference so much was because they were on the 400cc 2-strokes.

I have adjusted my riding style a little and wanted a stiffer rear spring. I put the preload adjustment from about 3/8 to full, mean now it's as stiff as it will go. I like the ride a lot better, I like a firm feel.

The difference in power delivery was huge! In the driveway when I first tried it the front end shot up. If you want your machine to feel a quicker off the line, you have to try this. Even you don't want it faster, try it anyway just for fun, you can always go back. I doubt that you actualy become faster if you were timed, I haven't tried, but sure feels like it.

 

Adam, do you know if the stock rear springs are the same in the Sport/Scramblers? Mine is red. Someone had suggested to me to try the black, apparently it's softer, which I would think would give a better ride? Mine seems to stiff now as it is (still on stock setting), especially in the whoops. But, then again I'm sure the short swingarm has alot to do with that. Hopefully I'll get a +2" Hot Seat chromolly on this winter to help with that.

Actually when I drag mine, I take a tie-down, hook it to the grab bat, run it under the bearing carrier, back up to the grab bar, have someone sit on it, and sinch it as tight as I can (fully compress the rear shock). In theory, when you nail the gas, there is no travel left in the shock, which helps to detour the front from rising. Because as the rear compresses, the front springs want to naturaly rise, giving lift to the front end (some guys even go so far as to take out the front springs).

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Jerry Goodman '99 400L, '98 TBlazer

 

Through a Polaris dealer you can order softer or firmer springs for the front or rear of any Polaris. I think they are all painted to match the bike, because in the Polaris shop manual some springs are the same with different paint codes.