Is there an easier way to adjust the suspension

[randyo]

I can get at the front shocks with a large pair of Channel Locks, the rear however has no swing room and the only way I can see to do it is with a punch and a hammer

I was surprised to open my tool kit and see no shock ring spanner, that I am used to finding on my other powersports toys that have a ring type preload adjustment

[randyo]

got the suspension adjusted, left rear is a PIA, hammer and punch all the way, right rear at least I could get about 1/12 of a turn swing, didn't have to do it with a hammer & punch, front took no time at all, about 1/3 turn swing on both sides

I now have preload set as high as it will go, not dragging the bottom as much in the woods, gained quite a bit of clearance with a load.

on the street, it corners much flatter doesn't roll and tip much at all

[airshot]

   Well at least be glad you got a tool kit, mine came with zip, nota and dealer said so what, call the factory!  I adjusted mine up as well but not all the way. I also used some channel locks but ended up bringing home an adjustable spanner wrench from work to make it easier. Yes it pays to be a toolmaker and have such things at your disposal.  I will be making a wrench before I finally get retired to have on hand as I see having to adjust the front this winter for the weight of the plow blade.  Just like a car, they never design them for any maintenance, only for ease of assembly.

[Rindy991]

I cranked my shocks on front tight also. I'm going to try putting them back in the middle setting agian and just use outside shock mount on front with the plow on. It would b much quicker than adjusting back and forth

[airshot]

   With winter coming I decided to run my springs at full tension which was only another 1/4" of thread. Gained about a 1/2" of extra clearance at best.  I cannot see any difference in ride or handling.  Then again I do not run at full throttle or take hard corners so for my typical driving I see no difference.

[jew8201]

   With winter coming I decided to run my springs at full tension which was only another 1/4" of thread. Gained about a 1/2" of extra clearance at best.  I cannot see any difference in ride or handling.  Then again I do not run at full throttle or take hard corners so for my typical driving I see no difference.

How do you know if all four corners are the same? On a lot of machines that have the stepped or notched preload adjustments how do you get each corner adjusted the same with the adjustments that's on the kymco 450i? And by the way what does the "I" stand for or represent that kymco uses?

[randyo]

the "i" is fuel (I)njected

[airshot]

     I have found that jacking up the machine and let the suspension hang takes the tension off the adjustment wheel. I blew the threads off real good then sprayed them with WD-40 and found I could almost turn the adjuster with my hand, much easier this way!!

[jew8201]

     I have found that jacking up the machine and let the suspension hang takes the tension off the adjustment wheel. I blew the threads off real good then sprayed them with WD-40 and found I could almost turn the adjuster with my hand, much easier this way!!

I may sound like an idiot asking, but how can you tell that all four corners are adjusted the same???

[airshot]

   The adjusting rings are threaded, same number of threads on each shock, adjusted them all the way to the end of the threads. Each corner is as close as the length of each shock. Besides when you sit in it, your weight makes it uneven anyway but you don't notice it.

[jew8201]

   The adjusting rings are threaded, same number of threads on each shock, adjusted them all the way to the end of the threads. Each corner is as close as the length of each shock. Besides when you sit in it, your weight makes it uneven anyway but you don't notice it.

Ok thanks. I'll probably mess with mine when I pick the unit up. So you all think it rides best with the stock tires just a tad under full stiff on the shocks???

[airshot]

   Mostly we do it for ground clearance, I did it to keep the front as high as possible with the additional weight of the plow. However I find it doesn't ride any different with the suspension all the way up. Now if you were doing some serious speed and high speed corners that may be a different story, but these are OFFROAD machines so the ground we run over rarely allows for high speed operation unless you don't value your life.

[jew8201]

   Mostly we do it for ground clearance, I did it to keep the front as high as possible with the additional weight of the plow. However I find it doesn't ride any different with the suspension all the way up. Now if you were doing some serious speed and high speed corners that may be a different story, but these are OFFROAD machines so the ground we run over rarely allows for high speed operation unless you don't value your life.

No crazy high speed for me!!! Plus that wouldn't be very smart with a baby on the way! No sense in putting self at risk for stupid injury to occur! I'll play around with it and see how it does. The additional clearance would be nice. Eventually i'll put some 26x9x12 and 26x11x12 tires on the front an rear. Believe I read on here theres no issues with the 26' tires on these stock steel wheels.

[airshot]

No crazy high speed for me!!! Plus that wouldn't be very smart with a baby on the way! No sense in putting self at risk for stupid injury to occur! I'll play around with it and see how it does. The additional clearance would be nice. Eventually i'll put some 26x9x12 and 26x11x12 tires on the front an rear. Believe I read on here theres no issues with the 26' tires on these stock steel wheels.

That is the same for me, especially at my age, it hurts to much and takes way to long to recover!! Even in my younger days I was not a daredevil, other friends were hurt or injured but I never took chances. That was also my plan to go to 26" tires when these wear out, I was the guy asking those questions about clearance and 26" are good to go when the time comes. Glad your getting your toy before the baby comes cause after it is here. there won't be any extra money at the end of the month!!