Wow, my 400 pound friend sat on the rear of my 500 so I could install new sway bar grommets, and it didn't bottom out on the softest setting. My 800 is just as stiff on the softest setting. Yours bottoms out with the preload set all the way to the top? I'd say something is wrong with your shocks.

 

somethings wrong,but I'm sure u fingered that out by now.I pulled a 99 s10 blazer a trailer loaded with another 600 sportsman with my old 700 for three miles and she was not fully down. i think shocks are shot

 

Mine is an 05 500 efi and does the exact same thing from the day I brought it home. I just posted asking the same thing!! Ebay, here I come!!!

 

question
Are the x-2 springs stiffer? I haul a lot of weight and have not noticed mine bottom out. I pull up a lot of hills, Heck, That's all we got is hill and hollers here,,
http://img.photobucket.com/alb...es/ATV/wood_hauler.jpg

 

The X2 springs are stiffer than the stock springs on any other Polaris quad except for maybe the ATP. They are rated to hold a 400 pound load in the rear. I've never had a bottoming out problem with the X2 or the ATP. I think (but do not know) that the X2 shocks would probably be a great swap if you want it really stiff. I think the new Touring has a 180 lb. rear rating and the regular Sportsman has the same. I would ask the dealership if you could swap in the X2 springs. Also, I have to wonder if they put in a softer spring at the factory by accident. It's the spring, not the shock, that determines how high or low the quad will sit. The shock just softens out the harshness of the bumps by slowing down the cycling of the suspension. You could have great shocks and lousy springs and bottom out. Even with bad shocks, with good springs will support you.

 

Yes the x2 springs are much better. I have an x2 and I rode my friends sp 800 one time. I had the mrs. on the back and I could.nt believe how much it squatted. Now before the jokes start, My better half is only 120 lbs. I am the fat *** at 210.