From what I have read I would go with the Canadian Trail Edition shocks. Adjustable and only 300 dollars to get, plus they are factory equipment so no voided warranty. Thats my opinion.
I bought progressive 512's off ebay. and they ride pretty **** good. and when i put my plow on it only drops the front down an 1 or less. unlike my factory shots where my tire was rbbing the fender wells
Progressive 512 Series Utility ATV Suspension System
By Mike Batchelor
After we got our project Honda Rancher one of the things that began chafe our hides – literally – was the rock-solid, non-adjustable suspension. The stiff springs allowed the nimble Honda Rancher AT to handle like a sports car, but the tradeoff was a ride that would absolutely shake the fillings out of your teeth on rough trails.
Well, our dental plan sucks and we needed to do something fast so we called Progressive Suspension and explained our plight. The folks at Progressive Suspension agreed that the last thing the 4X4Review needed was another toothless editor so in the interest of dental hygiene they shipped out a 512 Series Utility ATV suspension.
So what makes the Progressive 512 Series suspension different than it’s OE red-headed cousin? Progressive rate springs and gas-charged, velocity sensitive shocks. Progressive rate springs use variable density windings to allow the spring to react differently at various levels of compression. Under light compression the tightly wound section near the end of the spring allows the suspension to be rather soft, which takes the edge off of bumps. The looser windings in the middle of the spring are firmer so they provide a tight and controlled ride when the springs are compressed further. In short, the springs are nice and soft during your average ride, but the progressive spring rates will stiffen things up a bit with heavy loads, or during the landing that follows your Super Man impersonation.
The other big difference is the fact that the Progressive 512 Series suspension provides a spring preload adjustment. Why Honda left this off is beyond me, as nearly every other competitive ATV offers a preload adjustment and it couldn’t cost more than a few dollars per shock to add - so what gives Honda?. The preload adjustable springs are wrapped around gas charged shocks that use velocity-sensitive dampening to help provide a smooth ride and reduce shock fade – a situation that you do NOT want to happen during high-seed runs. (Click here to learn more about how shocks work)
Yet another benefit to the Progressive Suspension is that it provides an additional inch or so of much needed suspension travel. Finally, each Progressive 512 shock/spring combo comes with a durable and removable “Shock Sockâ€
I only have them on the front as of yet. I'll agree with the reviews above. 512's are great You'll love em. I'm not sure what the eye to eye length is on the stock rear 450 shock. I'll try to find out for you tomorrow. The eye to eye length on the rear 512's is 15.5". Oh I just saw you have an 04 I don't know if they are the same as a 2000?
I wish all of you guys would Just quit talking about this stuff ! ! I havent roide my bike in over a month because its been torn apart due to mods ive found on this site ! Could you please ban me from the site !
nah just kidding... going to get the 512's !
gota save up a little quid first... Hey... maybe the boys would like to come over for a game of poker tonight... thats about the quickest way I know to rustle up a couple hundred ....
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