Ok, I have had my 800 for about a year now. I love it, fast and powerful. This weekend I tagged a tree with my left front tire bending the Tie Rod and breaking the tire bead.

We were about a 5 miles deep in the woods and had no way out except to ride the crippled gade. I made it about half way until I was wore out trying to keep it on the trail and away from damaging rocks. I swapped rides with my son and got on his 07 KQ700.

I was amazed at how easy his quad handles, very soft and easy to navigate. All this time I just thought he was a much better rider than I, but in reality in the heavy trails his quad handles better and absorbs the terrain better.

My gade really dives into corners putting alot of weight in the front making it very difficult to turn, actually wears me out on long rides. It also seems to have quite a bit of rear wheel hop in the longer rougher corners.

Do I have the shocks adjusted properly for my 215 pound a**? I currently have them adjusted to no preload, I have tried a few other positions but cannot get it to turn the way I want (Unless I turn with the back wheels spinning)

 

Have you tried setting the preload stiffer in the front? Generally for fast trail riding you should have the front stiffer than the back to keep the front end from diving, while the rear usually a bit softer to keep a smooth ride. I think the 'Gades have 5 adjustments, try the front 1 or 2 clicks stiffer than the rear.

-Krait

 

You're right to some degree, but turning a heavier four wheel drive requires a little more body english for one. Secondly, and this might sting a little, I clipped a tree at less than ten miles an hour and the control arms and tie rods were fine, but to my surprise, the frame bent behind where the control arms mount up to the SST. I immediately noticed a diffference in steering because the alignment was no longer in adjustment. That's something that you might want to carefully inspect especially if the tie rod bent. As I said mine didn't, they're pretty durable, and if the bead broke, well you must've hit harder than I did because I didn't have any of that. Only after careful inspection did I notice the bent frame, and then I realize why it steered strange. Otherwise, it is a lot heavier in the front so it will steer a little harder but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. First remember you can't just steer with your arms, you need to use your whole body. When turning to the left, you want to lean your weight to the right side to take the weight off the inside rear wheel. Remember both tires are turning forward at the same rate and in order to steer left, the inside rear wheel needs to slip. Those tires are very aggressive especially new so they wont easily slip. Remember you need to use your whole body to get the weight off the inside wheel which turns at the same rate the outside wheel does. If it isn't allowed to slip a little, the quad will fight to make the left turn. If you're a little more aggressive you can powerslide it allowing both wheels to slip. Considering how much power it has, this usually isn't too hard to do. it is heavier than other quads especially sport quads, but once you get use to riding it you become accustomed to the extra body english needed. Shifting your weight a little forward will also help. For your sake, I really hope your frame isn't bent, from the sound of it, you might be lucky if you're control arms and tie rods absorbed the energy instead.