I rode my wife's new to her Honda Rancher 2005 400 this week on the trails. After new tires and many hours of cleanup and detailing I notice one thing still needing attention. The front end is way stiff. I weigh 230 and although it doesn't throw the bike out of control it is just too stiff- especially for my wife at 150 or so. I can stand in front of my 2016 Outlander L and push the suspension down 5 or more inches with the rack. The Honda might go down 2". Are there after market springs I can swap out on this thing? Other than that I'm satisfied, but this will wear you out in a couple hours riding. I'll be pulling the shocks off tomorrow and see if I can reduce the preset at least, but Hope to get real input from others who must have dealt with this ridiculous setup by Honda!

 

Utility Quads are made for people who put 1/4 Ton of animal feed, or a dead elk, on the front rack, I maintain quite a few 400 Autos, and have never had any complaints about the suspension from the burly farmers who own them.

 

I agree with merryman. Some bikes are made for work, some for fun. You wouldn't like my old Arctic Cat 500, but I can jag out logs and ride another 250 lb guy in the 2 up seat, no bottoming out, with the front box full of tools, 4 gallon RotoPax gas tank, tow chains, chain saw, still rides hard, haha.

 

OK that makes sense, but I want a solution. I need softer springs...where???

 

It seems the machines with shorter travel in the front have a stiffer spring to keep them from bottoming out. You should be able to find softer springs without to much problem. Companies make springs every day, now finding the right spring rebound and compression rate you need is another thing. Are the current springs adjustable and are they at their lowest setting. Take the od and id as well as length od your spring then find a spring with a smaller wire diameter which will make it softer. You need to match id and od and length but spring wire diameter controls the stiffness of the spring.

 

Yea, I have revalved shocks on motorcycles but don't know where to find springs for the ATV. Maybe Race Tech can offer some help when they are open.

 

I had a Rancher 350 before and I just don't think they're designed to have much suspension travel. As others have said, they're more of a one size fits most kind of setting. A bit stiff to handle extra weight and if the load is not so heavy, its just a rough ride. You might have to search for custom or aftermarket springs and shocks to soften it up a bit. I'm sure someone out there has something or can build it for you. It was never meant to be comfortable, the ride comfort was an afterthought.