I recently picked up an 05 Foreman & it has a 2" lift kit on it.
Could someone tell my why you wouldn`t just get longer shocks instead of a lift kit?

 

If you just get longer shocks, the quad might be higher but you won't have much suspension travel. The entire quads frame has to be moved upward from the suspension. Let's say your quad has 10" of suspension travel. If you get 4" longer shocks, it will lift the quad but kill 4" of the travel. But if you put a 4" lift kit on, it relocates (moves) the frame up 4" from the suspension, but leaves the suspension alone. So, you still have 10" of travel but it's in a different place. Does that make sense?