ATV
How-to

How to adjust your Can-Am ATV shocks?

By Can-Am Off-Road

October 2022

To get the most out of your Can-Am ATV, adjusting your shocks is key. When they’re calibrated properly, your ride will react to the road or terrain as expected, and your handling will feel just right.

That said, there’s no such thing as the “perfect” setting. You can only adjust your suspension to fit changing conditions, including riding speed, field conditions and the weight of the rider, passenger or cargo on board.

WARNING: The most important thing is to have your left and right shocks and dampers adjusted to the same setting. If they’re uneven, you may experience poor handling and a loss of stability as you chase thrills.

Shock absorber settings

Modifying your shock absorber settings will affect your vehicle’s handling. Keep in mind that depending on the type of shock installed on your vehicle, some of the adjustments mentioned below may not be available to you.

Spring preload:

This setting determines your ride’s comfort level. A shorter spring will provide less suspension travel (for a firmer ride) while a longer spring will increase the suspension travel (for a smoother ride). This setting is determined by the vehicle’s payload, which includes occupants, cargo and accessories.

Compression damping:

This is the amount of force absorbed by a shock, which opposes the compression or “bump” movement of the suspension. Excessive compression force will make for a firmer ride and keep the suspension higher in its stroke on bumpy surfaces.

Rebound damping:

This is the force absorbed by a shock, which opposes the suspension’s extension. If there’s not enough rebound damping force, it will make for a “loose” ride.

What is preload?

The preload setting determines spring length. A longer spring will react even when there’s less force applied by the road, which translates into a softer ride that’s great on bumpier terrain. If you increase preload, which shortens the spring, you end up with a firmer ride. This setting works best for flatter surfaces to prevent body roll when going around corners, braking and accelerating. It also helps reduce excessive vehicle movement when the vehicle is carrying passengers and cargo.

Now that you know the basics about tweaking your ATV suspension, it’s time to take your knowledge on the road! We hope you have a safe, smooth and comfortable ride with your freshly adjusted shocks. Take the lead and track down every lead!