Wow, I was messing around today with my 99 Scrambler 400 and figured I'd adjust the preload on the rear shock. It was all the way down and on quite a few occassions I'd bottom out, so I turned it up to about halfway. I didn't notice a difference until it was really warmed up and I was really getting on it in some grass. Instead of the front end coming up a little and then going, the front end just about flipped over! I mean I can pop wheelies like no tomorrow. I am not a big hot-dog rider, but let me tell you, that 1 adjustment made a world of difference. After practicing for about 1/2 hour, and learning to sit back and just how to throttle it, I was wheelying for about 10-15 feet. I also noticed it was stiffer in the corners, so I had to use more english. Anyone else ever mess with the rear shock and notice a big difference?

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Mike...99 Scrambler 400, 94 Kawasaki Bayou 400(newly rebuilt), 99 Impuls 50(Matt's)

 

I noticed that it made the ride better, and it handled jumps/whoops/rough stuff better, but noticed no difference in acceleration or wheelies.

 

Mike,

I have noticed this too. It is because the back suspension collapses less because of the increased preload. I went the opposite way with mine, I decreasaed the preload. I did this because when you start adding horsepower to a 400L and get a set of XCT tires, you had better have you're weight up front when you go WFO or you'll loop it out quicker than you can say 400L.

I try to focus on cross country and trail riding on mine. Very seldom do I hit any big jumps that would cause my suspension to bottom (and I weigh about 230 lbs). Besides, I'm too old and heavy to be jumping quads, not to mention that I don't heal as well as I used to.

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Mike Chero 97 Polaris Sport 400L/ 97 Polaris Trailblazer 250ES

http://users.penn.com/~hal9000/mikeetta.html

 

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!!!!LOL

 

I thought on the concentric drive models it wouldn't make any difference, but I can see where it would on the regular models.

I don't know why I didn't expieriance this. Maybe the 500 doesn't have the snap of the 400.

My only guess it that with the suspension stiffer instead of the shock comrpessing and eating up all the weight transfer, it's getting to the wheels.

 

Yeah it definitely makes it better on the trail and jumps too. Was out today for about 6 hours. It catches way more air when you hit a whoop and goose it, it lifts the front end up and the rear wheels follow. It also gets better traction, which would be expected, with more pressure being exerted down on the rear axle. I did notice that it was more unstable in the turns though. I had to use more english to keep it from wanting to tip, nothing extreme, but noticeable. Overall, very happy with adjustment.

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Mike...99 Scrambler 400, 94 Kawasaki Bayou 400(newly rebuilt), 99 Impuls 50(Matt's)