LOL so I bought this Suzuki King Quad 750 from a guy I know. It has a 2" lift kit and Mega Mayem tires. One thing I noticed is that some of the slightly steep inclines on my property seem a bit hairy to ride up. I haven't tried yet but the neighbors have obviously been using the trail. They have much smaller machines.

Do the lift kits raise the center of gravity enough to make going up slopes an issue? Or is just may lack of experience making me weary? My buddy did stop trying to go up one hill because there were too many rocks and step like spots that made him feel the front was going to wheelie. He is experienced so I know that hill is a no go.

Anyhow here it is...

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Do the lift kits raise the center of gravity

Yes, by the height of the lift kit, plus 1/2 the difference of the additional height of the oversized tires vs stock.

Good way to ruin a good 4wheeler in my opinion.

We've used our ATVs for heavy work projects around the house, snow plowing duties, hunting trips, camping trips, and of course 4WD trips in the mountains.

ATVs can be very useful and a lot of fun...but, YES, they can be dangerous as well...and will get you hurt or worse, in the blink of an eye, if you are aren't a proficient rider.

Riding cross slopes/ grades is problematic and requires advanced rider techniques such as weight shifting...and the danger only increases when crossing fallen trees or rocks. Even climbing up or down steep inclines or declines can be dangerous, and can lead to unplanned wheelies.

On one group ride we were high in the mountains. Although the riders in my family were experienced, we connected with another group of family riders that were far less experienced than us. To make matters worse, in addition to their ATVs (three new, one bought used) they brought along two young boys, and we weren't expecting to see children on such a technical Winter ride.

The first part of our ride was spent on well established trails we knew well at lower elevations, to some higher elevation trails that we still knew well, but with increasing depths of snow. Eventually our group leader took us off established trails and we were on top of mountain when one of the poorly maintained used ATVs quit running. It was getting late, the sun was low, and temps were getting below freezing. The father who was an inexperienced ATV rider, had not only allowed his kids to wear street clothes on this ride, but the kids had walked in the snow, which had melted around their pants legs, and now the kids were starting to complain about being cold and hypothermia became a real concern for the kids. I wrapped the youngest in some spare fleece I brought along.

We finally got the ATV running (poorly) but as we decended down the steep back side of a mountain with no established trail and plenty of fallen trees we had to traverse it cross grade and it took every once of skill I had to keep my ride from tumbling. The Dad's ATV quit again on the mountain side and with the kids crying and in danger the Dad sort of freaked out and insisted he had to get out of there right away.

I made a snap decision...that proved to be a huge mistake. I offered the Dad and his youngest son my capable ATV so they could leave our group immediately to get the boy back to the warmth of their truck, miles away, while we worked to get his ATV running. As the father and his son started my ATV and just started to pull away he made no attempt to compensate for the steep incline and the ATV broke loose and started to roll down the mountain sideways, and it rolled directly over the father and son now on the downhill side of the roll. My brother, downhill from the rolling ATV, heroically but foolishly stepped in front of it and stopped it from accelerating down the hundreds of feet to the base of the mountain.

It was pure luck that my ATV was in a portion of its rotation off the ground as the 600 lb. machine rolled over the Dad and son. My ATV was damaged in the roll, but still drieavable...although the kids were freezing cold we were able to get the entire group back to our trucks safely.

Several mistakes were made that day, and the mistake I made was loaning my very capable ATV to a novice rider in highly technical conditions. Never again.

I strongly recommend that, at a minimum, you ride with more experienced technical riders to learn from them...and taking an ATV riding class wouldn't be a bad idea either. Always wear a helmet.

...to answer your question, it depends on how much the lift kit lifts the Center of Gravity in relation the the angle (steepness) of the grade as well as weight distribution, but yes, you can roll, wheelie, or even Endo an ATV that is centered too high. Lift kits can be useful in certain riding conditions, but can negatively affect riding characteristics in others.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Good way to ruin a good 4wheeler in my opinion.

Ah, come on. I can't see how this could or would compromise an ATV in any way but make it better.

I had a nephew killed on one in 2003.

He was wearing his helmet, but when it rolled over, it shoved his spine up through the bottom of his skull.

Looks like an ankle breaker.

I have a UTV with a enclosed cab. A Polaris Ranger 900 with plenty power and Rip Saw mud tires. It's very easy to get over confident driving it sitting in a enclosed cab like that.

I had zero experience when I got this UTV. I just took things easy and relied on my common sense to tell me when a situation could get hairy and to use caution. The machine surprised me with it's capabilities and still does at times.

After awhile you will learn what the capabilities are of the machine and if you exceed them you will also find that out. Wife and I just took a beautiful fall ride of about 30 miles round trip yesterday. Some of it was gravel county roads and some of it was on logging roads through the forest. We are not extreme riders by any means and stick to known roads and trails.

Be careful not to overload the rear rack and NEVER let someone ride back there.

Thanks Lastmanstanding and Modern Day Savage.

I'm looking for advice from people with experience in this thread. I'd rather not hear replies that just say it's a death trap or the lift kit ruined it. I already own this machine. I did not do the mods. If there are issues with it I'd be glad to hear helpful info. If there are things I can do to be safer I'd love to hear those things too.

Anyhow, as to my use of this thing... I have 7 acres and my neighbors each have 7 acres. We can all use each others' trails. There are trails, but not very established. This is a highly wooded area. I'm not riding this thing fast. I've come across 2 areas where the slope is difficult to get up. I have to found a better place to go down into the woods with the trails but I have to clean the area up.

The lift kit and tires have helped me so far because I have a lot of crap to get over, New England rock walls that are collapsed and a lot of dead lumber. I'm going over this stuff very slowly. I won't be doing any fast or crazy riding, at least until my buddy's lake freezes over and we go ride.

I guess the lift kit can wear things out prematurely. It's only a 2". Hoping with my use it won't be too bad. I don't mind fixing things myself.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
Be careful not to overload the rear rack and NEVER let someone ride back there.

Thanks for the tip. I won't let anyone ride there. I was hoping to bring some cut wood up from my property on the rear rack. Is the issue for that just the wheelie/tipping issue? I won't be doing slopes if so. I was kinda bummed out about the radiator being moved on top. I may put it back to the original location as I won't be riding much in mud or anything that will clog it.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Thanks Lastmanstanding and Modern Day Savage.

I'm looking for advice from people with experience in this thread. I'd rather not hear replies that just say it's a death trap or the lift kit ruined it. I already own this machine. I did not do the mods. If there are issues with it I'd be glad to hear helpful info. If there are things I can do to be safer I'd love to hear those things too.

Anyhow, as to my use of this thing... I have 7 acres and my neighbors each have 7 acres. We can all use each others' trails. There are trails, but not very established. This is a highly wooded area. I'm not riding this thing fast. I've come across 2 areas where the slope is difficult to get up. I have to found a better place to go down into the woods with the trails but I have to clean the area up.

The lift kit and tires have helped me so far because I have a lot of crap to get over, New England rock walls that are collapsed and a lot of dead lumber. I'm going over this stuff very slowly. I won't be doing any fast or crazy riding, at least until my buddy's lake freezes over and we go ride.

I guess the lift kit can wear things out prematurely. It's only a 2". Hoping with my use it won't be too bad. I don't mind fixing things myself.

I've been riding 4 wheelers for 25 years, mostly just to get around the woods while hunting but some trail riding for fun. Most people get hurt doing dumb stuff. Step hills are the typical spot where they roll over on people. I usually ride smaller ATVs that are not that bad even if they did roll over on you. You'd be surprised just what all a 2wd 250cc ATV can do. They're also easier to maneuver in the woods off the trails.

If you are driving over a lot of dead fall etc. the extra 2" you get with the lift kit will pay off so you don't get hung up on a log or stump. You may also want to add skid plates to protect the underbelly of the machine from damage as well if not already installed.

I use my machine to do a lot of ice fishing on the frozen lakes around here. Make sure you are familiar with the lakes you are on and know where any creeks or rivers enter or leave the lake and stay away from those area's as the current there keeps the ice thin. If you're not sure stay on the plowed ice roads if there are any. If you're out on the ice at night which I often am do not overdrive your head lights. The LED bar you have will help you a great deal at night riding but don't overdrive it. We get people killed every year on the lake because their speed is outrunning there lights and they hit a open spot on the ice and plunge in or hit a spot where someone moved a fish house and the ice is all busted up. I'll have a few beers out fishing but never enough to ignite liquid courage. If anything it makes me more cautious.

Use your common sense in most cases and you will be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:

I've been riding 4 wheelers for 25 years, mostly just to get around the woods while hunting but some trail riding for fun. Most people get hurt doing dumb stuff. Step hills are the typical spot where they roll over on people. I usually ride smaller ATVs that are not that bad even if they did roll over on you. You'd be surprised just what all a 2wd 250cc ATV can do. They're also easier to maneuver in the woods off the trails.

I quickly realized how a smaller ATV would be more agile. This thing is a beast. I intend for it to be mostly a work horse. I just need to be able to get down and up the one area that keeps me from most of our trails. I am learning a lot already just researching. I'm gonna stay off the hills for the most part. My main use will be gathering fire wood (probably get a little trailer) and getting 500 feet from the neighbors houses so I can shoot my guns.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
If you are driving over a lot of dead fall etc. the extra 2" you get with the lift kit will pay off so you don't get hung up on a log or stump. You may also want to add skid plates to protect the underbelly of the machine from damage as well if not already installed.

I use my machine to do a lot of ice fishing on the frozen lakes around here. Make sure you are familiar with the lakes you are on and know where any creeks or rivers enter or leave the lake and stay away from those area's as the current there keeps the ice thin. If you're not sure stay on the plowed ice roads if there are any. If you're out on the ice at night which I often am do not overdrive your head lights. The LED bar you have will help you a great deal at night riding but don't overdrive it. We get people killed every year on the lake because their speed is outrunning there lights and they hit a open spot on the ice and plunge in or hit a spot where someone moved a fish house and the ice is all busted up. I'll have a few beers out fishing but never enough to ignite liquid courage. If anything it makes me more cautious.

Use your common sense in most cases and you will be fine.

Excellent advice. My buddy lives on the lake and drives quads and snow mobiles. He knows the lake very well. Thanks for the tips on the light. I would not have thought of that.

I’ve had a Brute Force that’s been lifted and has larger tires. It took a while to feel comfortable riding it into the bed of my truck. The angle seemed real steep but I got used to it and never had a problem. The lift comes in handy hunting, it does make a difference between staying dry and getting wet in areas I ride through. People may not like it but it works for me.

My comment on a lift kit ruining the 4wheeler comes from experience. Not a fan of them at all for all around ATVs.
Learn to ride it and you’ll be better off without one.
Here is a concrete drainage ledge the same height as the top of my tires and am able to clear it with ease.



Key is learning not only what you are capable of but what your 4wheeler is capable of.

If you don’t or get cocky you’ll end up like this.


Luckily he did not get hurt trying to do an incline side by sides barely could get. Almost crushed a buddy at the bottom of the hill as it bounced over him on his 4wheeler.
Sure did suck dragging it out of the woods. Guys first ride on that particular machine.

Thanks Black. I will not get cocky. I’m too old for that now. I don’t think there’s much I can do about the lift kit. I assume with the oversized tires that it has to have the lift kit. It didn’t come with the stock wheels. I guess I’ll find out how it works out.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Thanks Black. I will not get cocky. I’m too old for that now. I don’t think there’s much I can do about the lift kit. I assume with the oversized tires that it has to have the lift kit. It didn’t come with the stock wheels. I guess I’ll find out how it works out.

See if your buddy still has the stock stuff. He might have stuffed it somewhere and forgotten that he still has it.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Thanks Black. I will not get cocky. I’m too old for that now. I don’t think there’s much I can do about the lift kit. I assume with the oversized tires that it has to have the lift kit. It didn’t come with the stock wheels. I guess I’ll find out how it works out.

See if your buddy still has the stock stuff. He might have stuffed it somewhere and forgotten that he still has it.

He sold the stock wheels. I have the stock exhaust. I may put that back to quiet it down.