subject: Adjusting Your Atv Shocks [print this page] Most ATV riders don't know much about adjusting their ATV shocks. Having proper suspension adjustments can make a huge difference in your ride. You may not think you have suspension problems until you realize how much better they can become.
There are three ways to adjust your ATV shocks for better performance. The first is adjusting the shocks length. This is done according to the weight of the main rider. The second and third are compression and rebound adjustments. These will not only give you a better ride, but lengthen the life of your shocks.
The first adjustment to the shock length will involve a little bit of measuring. Pull out your measuring tape and measure the length of the shock as it is lifted with absolutely no weight on it. Then you will want to measure it again when it's on the ground with the rider in the seat.
The two measurements you get will give you what is referred to as the height sag difference. A basic rule is that the second measurement will be 30% shorter than the first for the rear shock and 20% shorter for the front shock. This will give you a good general length for your ATV shocks.
The shock compression can be adjusted to give you a smoother or bumpier ride. A lot depends on the riders' preference but you want to be sure your shock length is used without bottoming out. You will want to test drive it as you make these adjustments so you can get a feel for what's going on.
The softer the compression is adjusted, the more it will absorb the bumps. Harder compression will give you a really bumpy ride. A lot of this is based on the riders' preference. However, you also don't want your ATV to bottom out which will happen when it's adjusted too hard.
The rebound of the shock is what happens when the shock returns to its normal position. The softer it's set the faster it will rebound. Too soft of a setting will jerk you back pretty hard while too hard of a setting won't return it fast enough to be ready for the next bump.
Just these few minor adjustments to your ATV shocks can really improve your ATV ride. It will depend on your weight and your riding style, but making the adjustments can also protect the ATV and its parts. Make sure you make the adjustments correctly so you don't blow your shocks. Once your shocks are ready to go, the only thing left to do is have fun.
