Just bought a new 07 A/C 500 to replace my "04 400 and really like the machine. I weigh about 230 and carry probably 100 lbs in my box on the back rack and am wondering if anyone can make a suggestion as to what shock settings I should use? I have found both machines somewhat light in the front end and for now have set both front and back at the maximum setting of 5. Ride mostly old logging roads, some trails, some rocks, and some fairly steep terrain. Also, do the settings really make a difference? Any help appreciated. thx.

 

Turn them down two more notches. It will save your back.

 

Yes, pre-load can affect the way your 4-wheeler rides and handles, but, in my opinion, much less than what it is sometimes given credit for. A stiffer setting, like you are using, will create a more abrupt feeling (stiffer) when the wheeler's body settles back into the normal ride height position after going over a rise or bump in the trail. Your stiffer setting will not, however, significantly affect suspension movement over dips and bumps in the trail. In other words, once under load, and being under load is the key, the amount of force needed to flex the suspension arm and compress the shock is essentially equal no matter what pre-load setting you are using. The only practical way to change that part of the ride would be to use a different spring rate (at least for our purposes).
As a general rule, try to use a pre-load setting that will allow the shock to compress about 30% of it's total travel under load (ride height). In your situation I would start with one click softer than the stiffest setting in back, and in the middle setting in the front.
Hope that helps,
Paul

 

I run mine on the softest setting. No problems so far. I am a lightweight though.

 

I have a 06 700 and I run the rear up two settings and the front up one. I have 700 miles on it and have ridden it hard on mountain trails. Seems to work very well.