Independent Rear Suspension on Honda Quads

[Moors Lad]

Interested to know how they handle on rough going (as safe, or safer than rigid axle?), and what about ride comfort? Is the tow ball more accessible too?

 

[Finn farmer]

Interested to know how they handle on rough going (as safe, or safer than rigid axle?), and what about ride comfort? Is the tow ball more accessible too?

Far safer than a rigid axle, also a lot more comfortable. Won't break your back while driving on ploughed field or over some stumps and other stuff.

 

[Pistonbroke]

If you're using it crossing steep ground ( silly arse clenching steep )the solid axle is far safer than any independent suspension due to lack of roll

 

[Y Fan Wen]

If you're using it crossing steep ground ( silly arse clenching steep )the solid axle is far safer than any independent suspension due to lack of roll

That would be my answer as well.

 

[AftonShepherd]

I find the independent suspension better across slopes than the last 500 I had with a single shocker - may just have been that bike but it was horrible compared to the old twin shocks.

Tow ball is quite far in - but at least the gap between it and the boot doesn't decrease as you load the bike with feed or dogs.

 

[FonterraFarmer]

If you tow a trailer, stick with solid axle.

 

[ricky_rascal]

Interested to know how they handle on rough going (as safe, or safer than rigid axle?), and what about ride comfort? Is the tow ball more accessible too?

Tow ball seems more accessible on my latest Foreman with independent suspension. My vote would be for independent suspension too. Better ride and I'm sure it handles better. Certainly haven't had any issues on side slopes. But aware some prefer the solid axle version.

 

[Moors Lad]

If you tow a trailer, stick with solid axle.

Can I be awkward and ask why? Do use a trailer a fair bit. Thanks for all helpful replies.

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Can I be awkward and ask why? Do use a trailer a fair bit. Thanks for all helpful replies.

IRS will have too many wearing parts in the drivetrain and suspension compared to solid rear axle. If you like new four wheelers every couple of years then get one with IRS, but I'll stick with TRX400 ("Pinetree" spec ) as it will only be replaced after 10,000 hours.

 

[tinsheet]

Love mine, no problems on steep slopes and we've got some steep ground
Tows great.
Only problems I've found is due to driver error.
Wouldn't go back to single shock.

 

[Pistonbroke]

If it wasn't for the steepest of our ground I would look at the independent but knowing how the front suspension rolls when going down across a slope on three wheels it's a no-no.There is a massive difference in what people call steep.Get a demo

 

[GTB]

Definitely get a demo. We have a Yamaha with IRS and it just doesn't feel as stable as our Honda 500 with solid axle. However it does go across the same slopes and is far comfier but does feel like it's leaning a fair bit.

 

[TrewithickFarm]

We have a whole fleet of Honda 500 FM6 where i work for the RNLI and have had no problems with the new Honda IRS. Lovely and smooth off road. Incredibly stable and great for towing. our are towing around 750kg every day and huge ground clearance.
Vastly improved rear disc brake and now have a form of Diff Lock. our new one this year came with Power steering aswell.

We havent found them any more troublesome or harder to work on.

The only downside we have found is if you are using a cast hitch on your trailer it can foul the frame around the ball hitch, we have overcome this by turning the hitch bracket the other way up.

I will upload a picture.

 

[TrewithickFarm]

This ball hitch bracket hasn't been turned over yet

 

[Yale]

Our Suzuki King Quad with IRS is very stable.

Only one which came close was the old Kawasaki klf 300.