How to Tune UTV Shocks for Different Terrain
Your UTV is designed to tear up rough terrain and conquer trails so it makes sense that the suspension system on it will be ready for the challenges ahead. Generally, these are sturdy and reliable but that doesn’t mean you can't make them even more capable and better suited for your riding needs.
Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports is your local UTV dealer for Raleigh and Wilmington, NC, and we know what it takes to properly tune your shocks. Read on to learn more and if you’re looking for professional UTV service or repair in Clayton or Cary, contact us and one of our trained technicians will help you out. We also have a wide selection of UTVs for sale!
Refer to the Manual
This is a general guide to tuning UTV shocks and can be applicable for most standard models. However, sometimes there will be differences, such as single or multiple or no tuning options, and you’ll find this information in your owner's manual or even on the manufacturer’s site. The more familiar you are with your model, the better your DIY maintenance will be!
Tune for Mountain Trails
When tuning your side by side shocks for the mountain trails, you have to think of the terrain according to your vehicle. It’s part rock crawling and part flat riding. For this, you can actually tune the suspension to be quite soft because you won’t be hitting those top speeds that can cause your vehicle to buck or bottom out.
Usually, if you’re trail riding in the mountains, your UTV will have a high ground clearance to avoid scraping the chassis against obstacles. But a high clearance can reduce the amount of traction your tires get, which can make them spin on the spot instead of moving forward. This is why you want a soft compression and a neutral rebound. You want the suspension to respond fairly quickly but not too fast.
Tune for Sand Dunes
Sand dunes across the country are pretty much the same. You’ll come across cross chatter (which is other UTVs tracks crisscrossing) and razorback dunes (which have a gradual curve on one side and a sudden dip on the other). Getting the right tires will help keep your side by side afloat on the sand, while maximizing your suspension will help stay comfortable.
You want to tune your compression to be soft initially to take up the small cross chatter but stiffen up in the large transitions so you can go over large dunes with ease. Keep the rebound settings low to ensure the UTV stays stable even after a transition or a large bump. Slower rebounds are also helpful when you’re transitioning a razorback sand dune.
Tune for the Desert
The desert might have sand, like sand dunes, but it’s a very different terrain. The desert features different areas, like silt beds, shale hill climbs and even sand washes. You’ll be riding over rocks of varying sizes, whoop sections and rain ruts. The terrain is constantly changing and both you and your UTV have to be prepared for that.
Tune your compression setting to be as soft as possible, but it shouldn’t be so soft that it bottoms out when you come across bumps. You want quick suspension adjustments for all the terrain changes. Keep in mind that the faster the speeds you hit, the more your compression has to work to absorb all the high-speed impacts. Adjust your front rebound to be quicker than the rear one so the side by side doesn't buck after an impact.
We hope these tips will help you have safer and smoother rides! Remember that it takes some time to get the shocks set right and you probably will need to test ride a bit before you get the right combination for your terrain. For professional UTV service and repairs in Raleigh and Wilmington, NC, contact Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports and talk to one of our expert technicians. If you’re looking for UTVs for sale in Clayton or Cary, get in touch with our sales team for further assistance!