Clueless on Shocks

[Mark13]

I recently picked up a 03 z400 and up until yesterday I thought the stock shocks were fine. I was bottoming out the fronts over 20ft jumps (landing rear first) and a small 4 or 5 ft drop off. I have been mostly out of atvs for the last few years so I do not know whats good right now. I'm about 160lbs and an agressive rider. I ride a little bit of mx, fast woods trails (gncc type), various speeds on fire road type trails, open fields, ice, etc. It probably would have been easier if I said I ride a little bit of everything. I'd prefer to keep stock width so I still fit down the tight trails fine but I need something that rides and works better then the stock fronts. The rear seems fine so far, the fronts are the only ones that I can tell need work.


Sorry if there is a thread about almost this exact same topic, I searched and didn't fine much that I found helpful. Feel free to post links to other threads if such exist already.

[NRPkfx400]

I had the same thing so i bought a pair of o5 stock shocks. THey have rezzies and are smoother than the older 03 shocks.

[Mark13]

Originally posted by NRPkfx400
I had the same thing so i bought a pair of o5 stock shocks. THey have rezzies and are smoother than the older 03 shocks.
I was looking into those also and was unsure if they were better then the 03s or if they just tossed on a rezzi to add more fluid and called it done.

I don't have my life savings to dump into a complete suspension/a arm/ swingarm setup so if I can get some stock shocks off of a 450r, yfz 450, ltr, etc that fulfill most of my want its fine with me.

Are ltr front shocks the only ones that will work on my atv as long as I flip them around or do the other 450 (yamaha, honda) shocks fit?

[NRPkfx400]

I think that only the LTR 's will work.

[jonboy]

The 450r shocks are a direct bolt on the yamaha's will fit with a little grinding to the eye bushing but I wouldnt recomend them.

[Mark13]

Out of stock z400 shocks with ressi's, ltr 450 or 450r shocks which would be your choice?

I've heard the ltr shocks are quite stiff but I have no idea about the 450r shocks and whatever has been mentioned in this thread about the z400 shocks.

[jonboy]

My choice would be 05 and up Z shocks or the 450r shocks they are basically the same shock just slightly different spring rate. Either can be rebuilt by a respectable shock company. (i.e. Works, Hygear, TCS)

[Mark13]

Originally posted by jonboy
My choice would be 05 and up Z shocks or the 450r shocks they are basically the same shock just slightly different spring rate. Either can be rebuilt by a respectable shock company. (i.e. Works, Hygear, TCS)

Thanks, I'll look add these to the list of "soon to come mods".

[suzukiboy]

I have a set of 07 450R(Honda)shocks on my 04 Z400 and I love them. I race Mx and don't have any problems. I also weigh 125 lbs though. they are a cheap bolt on and perform well. Got mine on E-bay

[ltz440rider]

i got the 07 ltr shocks on my z and im 160 lbs and i dont think they are to stiff they are unreal upgrade

[Mark13]

I have seen lots of guys with the ltr 450 front shocks on thier z and they are all backwards. I read that is because they hit the radiator scoops. However, if I took the aluminum side scoops off could the shocks be flipped around so the ressi's are pointing toward the motor instead of out front? Thats one of the main things that I don't like is how weird they look being on there backwards.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t115/MarkM13/Atv%20Riding/AtvRiding055radscoop.jpg
If I take those off and leave the metal grill part will the ltr shocks fit the correct way?

[ltz440rider]

well i have a fluidyne radiator and its even wider and i couldnt put my scoops and screen on i could have put the shocks on regular but they just seemed to close to the radiator and i dint wan to rist nothing plus i like the way they look forward

[Mark13]

So aside from 450r, ltr 450, and z400 shocks, is there anything else that fits? Such as the fox shocks off the tld polaris predators, or kfx 450 shocks?

Edit. jonboy, why do you not recommend the yfz 450 shocks?

[k4f5x0r]

just a recomnedation since you asked about the kfx450 shocks. i really like them stock the way they are. ofcourse they are really adjustable and with just a bit of tuning i have mine set up perfect for my type of ridnig. if they fit id say go with the kfx shocks.

[Mark13]

Originally posted by k4f5x0r
just a recomnedation since you asked about the kfx450 shocks. i really like them stock the way they are. ofcourse they are really adjustable and with just a bit of tuning i have mine set up perfect for my type of ridnig. if they fit id say go with the kfx shocks.
I'm liking the kfx shocks more then the ltr ones since the ressi's face down instead of straight out. Shouldn't look as weird on my z.

[k4f5x0r]

also so i dont sound biased to any other riders i have also rode a trx450r the ltr and the honda's shocks were stiff as all hell and the ltr's were custom tuned by my friend(were stock shoclks) and they had no preload and were bouncing like a trampoline when you jump up and down on the grab bar lol.

[airmobile101]

The Fox shocks from the Polaris Predator will not fit. The 450r shocks are probably the best upgrade for the money. You can have those shocks(450r) along with the 05-08 current shocks on the Z rebuilt/re-valved to your weight.

www.dirtworksmotorsports.com

Check these guys out. They do good work.Give them a call. I promise you that you wont regret it!!

[Mark13]

Originally posted by airmobile101
The Fox shocks from the Polaris Predator will not fit. The 450r shocks are probably the best upgrade for the money. You can have those shocks(450r) along with the 05-08 current shocks on the Z rebuilt/re-valved to your weight.

www.dirtworksmotorsports.com

Check these guys out. They do good work.Give them a call. I promise you that you wont regret it!!

The plan is to go with 450r or newer z400 shocks. I'll see how I like them and then I'll decide what I want done to them.