I'm thinking about putting a 2" lift kit on my Honda 450 foreman !! Has anyone heared of these creating any problems -- How much better would it be in the mud and snow ?? Thanks

 

Sure will by the looks and sounds of it.

Gives it a nicer look(I think) also even if you keep your tire size the same.

 

I've had my forman 450 for 10 years, and I've often contimplated adding a lift kit, but have declined due to the added stress it puts on the front CV joints and the rear Universal joint. Basically adding a lift kit for these bikes is simply installing a shock spacer that just pushes the suspension to full droop and to the edge of the operating range of the CV's and U joint.

So you will gain a little frame clearance, but if you run oversize tires and ride in alot of heavy mud, your probaly going to have problems.

I run 27" Mud Lite XTR radials, that alone gives at least 1" additional clearance with no rubbing issues.

If your a casual rider, adding a lift kit will probably be fine. For me big tires + alot of heavy mud riding = problems wiht the drive shafts.

 

I have the 2" lift in my own 2001 trx450. Also added spring slugs up front. I have beat the snot out of it and had no issues. Must be lucky. Eather that or because the quad is always checked over with a fine tooth comb, so to speak. Guess my signature says why.

----- Gimpster -----

 

Hey Gimpster, what size and kind of tire are you running, and what kind of riding do you do? I ride in alot of heavy peat bog which means my 27" Mud Lite XTR's are often well loaded up which adds up to a very heavy rotating mass. i'd love more clearance, but am weary of stressing CV's and that u joint when they are at their max.

I was talking to the guys at gorrilla axle last year and they are supposed to be developing a proper lift kit for the foreman 450 that will keep these angles close to stock. Still havent seen or heard if they developed the kit yet.

 

I have 2 sets of skins. A set of 25" and a set of 27" Power King Mud Cats. 1 1/2" wheel spacers all the way around with stock rims. We have river bottoms, alkali pits, gray and red clay, as well as good old black field soil. Oh yeah... snow too. Remember, I have never had the exhaust under water. Whenever I use it hard, I yank the axles apart and check them. Been waiting to break one. I have had the quad chattering pretty hard going through the goo and wet snow while plowing. Obviously not hard enough to bust a tulip or u-joint.
A big lift for a swing arm quad would be sweet. 32" Gorilla Silverbacks are just a dream for me right now. Them keeping near stock angles sounds expensive when the kit hit the market....

----- Gimpster -----

 

Expensive for sure, it would be based on an extended rear swing arm, but from an email from Gorrilla, looks like they have scrapped the idea now.

From what you say, it sounds like I may pick up a decent standard lift kit, a little added ground clearance wouldnt hurt at all. I'm no stranger to taking the bike apart, I'm in the middle of replaceing all the seals, o-rings and bearings in the rear swing arm as we speak.