Looking at the standard spring rates in the parts books, it's not my imagination, I don't believe. The Scrambler fronts are really sprung stiff.......and they use the same front spring for all Scrambler models.

Standard Scrambler (most years since '96 I think) 75/110 7041603-216

Late ('05/'06 w/long travel front) 4/500 Sportsman 55/90 7042299-293

Late ('05/'06 w/long travel front) 6/700 Sportsman 75/90 7042301-293

Part numbers, spring rates from partsland.com. All spring lengths above are 13.8"

Even the earlier/shorter travel Sportsmans used a much lower initial rate at 64 lbs (64/113)