ATV learning curve! - Page 2

FastDoc · 01-31-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICRider

I also agree on the horrible quality of the chinese shocks. I think a big part of the reason that my Beast handles so poorly is because of the deflection off of bumps that should be absorbed by the suspension... Well, that and overly tight steering! You really have to horse on the bars to get it to turn, then you have to horse them back. I am tossing around the idea of buying the aftermarket shocks, but haven't made up my mind yet. I think you definitely bought the right machine Doc

Yeah, I'm starting to think that myself! :P

ron9969 · 02-01-2010, 11:02 AM

Measure the shocks eye to eye,and look on ebay,you can compensate for a small amount of difference,just get some lengths of steel and drill a few holes,just think of those leaf spring shackle extenders people put on muscle cars to raise theyre rear end up to clear big tires.i have yamaha blaste shocks on the rear and raptor shocks on the front,its like a night and day difference. oh yeah the spring cutting,well i guess mabe the springs were way to long?whatever helps it work,i even considered air shocks for a car they were just to big,8 inches of travel they were almost 30 inches long extended.

Weldangrind · 02-01-2010, 11:29 AM

Longer shocks are fine if you're prepared to fabricate new mounts for them.

Stiff shocks are a nuisance because they beat on you and the machine, and they take their toll on swingarm bushings, but IMHO bumpsteer is even worse than overly-stiff shocks. When I began to modify the front suspension on my Beast, aftermarket performace shocks weren't available (at least not in a Chinarider's budget), so I bought a used pair of Raptor shocks on eBay. They were considerably longer (and wider) than the stock shocks, but they compress very nicely and the rebound is smooth. See the details here: http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...ewtopic&t=7684

Like TurboT says, we need to post details on steering service as well. We'll be sure to take photos when we fix his quad.

FastDoc · 02-01-2010, 12:33 PM

I'm new to the ATV world, but it seems to me stiff front shocks are needed to prevent excessive tippiness in turns, especially if you are also on the brakes.

SpudRider · 02-01-2010, 12:54 PM

Doc, I am glad to hear you escaped the ledge! 8O

I highly recommend the ATV rider safety course.

I took the ATV safety class early in 2009, before I started seriously riding my new Arctic Cat.

The ATV safety course is superb, and I learned a lot of important riding techniques that probably spared me from several crashes.

http://www.atvsafety.org/asi.cfm?spl...der%20Training

Spud

FastDoc · 02-01-2010, 01:55 PM

I did a lot of reading from various sites on the web. That's where I'm at right now.

That Cat looks like my buddy's, his is a 650 Kawasaki V-Twin 4x4 monstrosity. Great machine. Big as my Rnager pickup.

SpudRider · 02-01-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I did a lot of reading from various sites on the web. That's where I'm at right now.

That Cat looks like my buddy's, his is a 650 Kawasaki V-Twin 4x4 monstrosity. Great machine. Big as my Rnager pickup.

My Kitty Cat is a lot smaller than your friend's ATV, Doc.

My quad is an 250cc Arctic Cat 2X4 Utility ATV.

http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...ic+cat+250+atv

Now that we both have ATVs, Doc, we need to rendezvous with Weldangrind, and TurboT.

Spud

FastDoc · 02-01-2010, 04:24 PM

Nice machine, Spud, that's about the size of mine. I'm really liking the ATV thing. The only down side is less time on Q, but I can only ride one at a time.

02-01-2010, 11:02 AM	#17
ron9969 Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 37	shocks Measure the shocks eye to eye,and look on ebay,you can compensate for a small amount of difference,just get some lengths of steel and drill a few holes,just think of those leaf spring shackle extenders people put on muscle cars to raise theyre rear end up to clear big tires.i have yamaha blaste shocks on the rear and raptor shocks on the front,its like a night and day difference. oh yeah the spring cutting,well i guess mabe the springs were way to long?whatever helps it work,i even considered air shocks for a car they were just to big,8 inches of travel they were almost 30 inches long extended.
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02-01-2010, 11:29 AM	#18
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Longer shocks are fine if you're prepared to fabricate new mounts for them. Stiff shocks are a nuisance because they beat on you and the machine, and they take their toll on swingarm bushings, but IMHO bumpsteer is even worse than overly-stiff shocks. When I began to modify the front suspension on my Beast, aftermarket performace shocks weren't available (at least not in a Chinarider's budget), so I bought a used pair of Raptor shocks on eBay. They were considerably longer (and wider) than the stock shocks, but they compress very nicely and the rebound is smooth. See the details here: http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...ewtopic&t=7684 Like TurboT says, we need to post details on steering service as well. We'll be sure to take photos when we fix his quad. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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02-01-2010, 12:33 PM	#19
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I'm new to the ATV world, but it seems to me stiff front shocks are needed to prevent excessive tippiness in turns, especially if you are also on the brakes. __________________ Happy to serve.
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02-01-2010, 12:54 PM	#20
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Doc, I am glad to hear you escaped the ledge! 8O I highly recommend the ATV rider safety course. I took the ATV safety class early in 2009, before I started seriously riding my new Arctic Cat. The ATV safety course is superb, and I learned a lot of important riding techniques that probably spared me from several crashes. http://www.atvsafety.org/asi.cfm?spl...der%20Training Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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02-01-2010, 01:55 PM	#21
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I did a lot of reading from various sites on the web. That's where I'm at right now. That Cat looks like my buddy's, his is a 650 Kawasaki V-Twin 4x4 monstrosity. Great machine. Big as my Rnager pickup. __________________ Happy to serve.
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02-01-2010, 04:24 PM	#23
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Nice machine, Spud, that's about the size of mine. I'm really liking the ATV thing. The only down side is less time on Q, but I can only ride one at a time. __________________ Happy to serve.
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