Honda Talon 1000X Bandit UTV tender spring install

We look at the issues with the Talon's front and rear springs and change the stock tender springs to the Bandit UTV Suspension tenders. The differences in how Honda went about it and how Bandit went about it are very interesting.
Link to follow up video: • Honda Talon X Bandit U...
Post ride impressions: The spring change made it into a totally different machine. Both ends work well now. The rear is dramatically improved. The ride is much more plush. The throttle seems much less touchy because the suspension is absorbing the bumps instead of transferring them to your body. Rough and rock trail sections are soaked up much better and there is no added body lean on the faster sections. Very happy with the change.
Link to the Bandit UTV Suspension Talon X tender springs: www.banditutvsuspension.com/p...

[@garycramer3537]

I have a 2022 Honda talon 1000x4. It rode like a rock and I changed the tender springs. Made a big difference . Now it rides smooth and takes the bumps without breaking your back

[@sparky4460]

Final dimensions after upgrade. I just completed an upgrade to the Bandit tender springs and thought I would post my dimensions. They are somewhat different from yours. I have a Talon X with stock tires. I have several heavy upgrades including winch, glass windshield, full tank washer fluid, rear 2" receiver and storage box with tools, etc. With the preload you and Bandit recommended I ended up with 15" ground clearance after settling. I was not after addition ground clearance just smoother ride. I wanted to maintain the stock 13" clearance. I ended up with front PL of 4 1/4", rear 3 1/2". That gave me 13 1/2 and 13 1/4 clearance respectively. I have not taken it on a trail yet and will check and adjust again after a good trail ride. I did not receive any instructions with this kit and if it were not for this video I would not have known the best way to do this. Thank you. Bandit points you to their FAQ section which did not have much useful information. First impressions are positive. I am looking forward to a more comfortable ride. Thanks again to you and all comments.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Chuck Gillespie Thanks for the post!

[@allen5638]

Great video's Terry - I've officially killed a whole pot of coffee and most of the morning watching all your videos. Keep up the great work and I look forward to your next offering! Side note, LOVE that odyssey, the ole man had one and was a hoot when I was a kid.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Thank you Allen! Very much appreciate the kind words!

[@tonyfields5195]

Love your videos Terry. Thanks bud.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Thank you Tony!

[@jerrybullat6475]

Never mind I see it is four inches on the back, thanks for the video my springs will be here on Wednesday!

[@randymanning3772]

Installed Bandit Tender springs front and rear (have about 150 miles on them). Ride at speed is much more connected to the trail -- rides on a rail -- definitely improved and very noticeable. Hitting the hoops was also improved, gone was the hard shock on landing; now much smoother. Test area is about a mile long and hoops very in length and depth. The springs are now assisting the shocks and truly improves the ride. I did not mention the installation to Linda and within 100 yards she commented on how smooth and improved the ride was. The kit is an instant improvement in ride quality and smoothness, at the price they are worth every cent. A must have for all Talon 1000Xs my number recommended accessory! I would love to understand what Honda was thinking and how Bandit figured out exactly what spring rates to use. Thanks Terry for the installation video and insightful comments you were spot on.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Awesome Randy! Thanks for the report!

[@DonziGT230]

The more I learn about the Talon the more it resembles my favorite motorcycle, CBR1100XX. Great machines with just a few weaknesses, mostly in the suspension tuning.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

I'd say that is pretty accurate. Past the spring issues, the Talon has been great.

[@peterpann9619]

And their sub transmissions and front driveshafts

[@DonziGT230]

@@peterpann9619 From what I've read the biggest problem with the sub-trans is them leaving the manufacturer without enough oil; have you heard of them failing without being low? On a recent trip I think mine was slipping under load, there was a fairly hard clunk every few seconds at heavy throttle. After making a 3 point turn to head back toward camp it stopped doing it so I assume it just hadn't fully engaged. I've read about the front shaft u-joints coming loose. I keep meaning to tack weld mine just to be sure, 1,200ish miles so far. My axle seals leak a bit at the diffs, also pretty common. It's not enough to worry about running out of oil, but enough to make it look crappy.

[@yeetyeet6266]

Nice vid terry

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Thanks!

[@waltrodriguez9625]

Like your video, but has anyone replaced the tender springs on a 2021 1000X 2 wth the live valve?

[@douglasyoung3992]

Thank you

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Glad it was helpful.

[@baddealer8914]

I Wonder If Its A Payload Thing.. Thanks For Sharing...

[@Jaxon1127]

Nice job

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Thank you!

[@sparky4460]

Terry, Did you consider a complete spring upgrade like what Shock Therapy offers? What is you reason to only change the tender springs.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

I did consider it but after talking with Ted at Bandit he told me for the tight, rough and rock type riding we do here the main springs would be fine and changing just the tenders would achieve what I needed. That has certainly been the case. Very happy with the suspension now.

[@kensorke6835]

Do you have an email I can send a pic to I have a question about talon shocks I have a silver spacer between the tender and the main spring I don't know what it is maybe a lift ?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Hey Ken. What you are describing is a lift. That should not be between the springs. I'm not a fan of those style lifts but if you wish to keep it you should remove it and put it on top of the tender where it belongs. Here's a link to what I think you are describing that shows where the spacer should be. www.sidebysidestuff.com/super-atv-2-inch-lift-kit-honda-talon.html

[@Pmstacker2024]

Terry, I don't know if I missed in the video, but what height setting did you set the rings for the rear?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Randy Berger 4” for the rear.

[@JH-wt8ls]

Looked at your next 2 video's and no review yet on a review on the tender springs ???

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Ride review is in the show notes on this video. I will have a follow up video but haven't gotten it done yet. Will post ASAP.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Here is the follow up video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kInVoJdsZqilrLc Thanks for watching!

[@padialj52]

Great video and content! Quick question- where did you pick your spanned wrench? Please post link to product. Keep up the great work!

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Thanks for watching! I've had the one I used for 30+ years. Not sure they are even made any more but here's one that's made specifically for the Fox 2.0 Podium's. www.amazon.com/Spanner-Wrench-Shocks-Preload-Ratchet/dp/B00KWGVEOI

[@randymanning3772]

Nice video, what brand. size are your tires of the Tallon 1000 x and do they rub. I am looking at the spring upgrade and want to run 32 inch warrior tires. Thanks for the video it helped.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Thanks! I have 32x10-14 Roxxzilla's. They barely touch at full lock on the front. Certainly not enough to be any issue. I have them on 4/3 Raceline beadlocks all the way around with 1.5" spacers on the rear.

[@randymanning3772]

@@terryhatfieldmin Thanks that will go on my Christmas list. Based on you video and recommendation I ordered the springs. My rear tender springs are definitely compressed to the point the can not work as you pointed out. Again, thank you for the video and information.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

@@randymanning3772 Thanks! Glad the video was helpful.

[@kv8tr715]

Does anyone happen to know if BanditUtv will be making these for the 1000R?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

I don't know but I will contact them and get back to you.

[@kv8tr715]

It’s ok Terry, I can get ahold of them. Thanks for the review!

[@terryhatfieldmin]

KV8TR71 ! I did talk to Ted. He is going to do something for the R but no time line.

[@taylortalley6412]

Do you know if the recommended preload for the tender springs is the same for x4 as the x. Bought the x4 tenders but did not come with recommended preload and no info or answer from bandit

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Sorry. I don't know what it is for the X4. The shocks are different than the X2. Bandit is usually very responsive. Sorry you are having issues. I suggest that you go thru the setup process that Bandit suggests. I show that process in the full spring kit video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmnagJ-cerd0f80

[@taylortalley6412]

@@terryhatfieldmin thank you

[@NCdragon21]

are you still running the recommended pre-load or have you found it needs adjustment?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Still exactly where Ted @ Bandit suggested it to be. Working great for us.

[@NCdragon21]

@@terryhatfieldmin Good to know, thanks!

[@terryhatfieldmin]

@@NCdragon21 No prop. Glad to help. The springs are without question the best $200 that can be spent on the X!

[@philipstephan4400]

What are you running for tire pressure

[@jerrybullat6475]

What is the distance of preload in the rear? Is it five like the front?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

4".

[@Pmstacker2024]

Terry, what size tire are you running with these bandit tender springs?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Hi Randy. I have 32x10-14 Maxxis Roxxzilla's.

[@Pmstacker2024]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any rubbing issues on the front under full compression?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

@@Pmstacker2024 They barely touch on full lock and compression. Certainly nothing that I'm concerned with.

[@Pmstacker2024]

What psi do you run in them and what is the measured height at that psi?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

@@Pmstacker2024 10psi. They measure 31 1/4".

[@mzwak2001]

So how does it ride and what was the cost?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

There is a link in the description. The Bandit springs are $199.99 and it is a night and day difference over stock. The harshness in the rear is gone. Much smoother on both ends. Helps the touchy throttle a lot also.

[@dh-flies]

If the tender spring is torqued down too hard to begin with, why wouldn't you just adjust it looser to get the same result? Going to a shorter spring seemingly would reduce future adjustability. Any gains in travel would be achievable with the stock springs after they are adjusted properly. The shocks don't get any longer...Am I crazy?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

The original springs are too soft. Adjusting them only looses ground clearance. The higher rate spring supports the weight. The way Honda has them on the rear means that you are only on the heavier main spring. Changing to a higher rate tender allows the tender to move so it's not just on the main spring all the time.

[@mikeherber8358]

I have a 19 X but my stock springs are black wounder why your are grey ????????

[@terryhatfieldmin]

No clue. Don't think I've ever seen black ones stock.

[@jonnypizzle4023]

Hello Terry! I’m about to put the 32’ Roxzilla and wanted to see if you had to change or adjust the preload from 5 inch/front and 4 inch/rear? Also how was the first ride on new tender springs?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

Hey Jonny. I didn't change those setting when I was running the tenders. I have the Bandit full spring kit now. The 32" Roxxzillas barely rub on full lock and compression. Nothing I'm concerned with.

[@baddealer8914]

Is That A Honda Engineering Issue Or Fox Shocks Engineering Issue..?

[@terryhatfieldmin]

I think it' a Honda issue. All SXS have to pass a tilt table test for the feds and that it has something to do with body roll in that test. Don't know for sure about that but sounds plausible. I still can't imagine that there is not something Honda could do other than cranking the tender springs into coil bind. The Bandit springs are 100 times better and I notice no more lean than with the original springs.

[@baddealer8914]

Terry Hatfield I’ve Bought Honda Products For 3 Decades And They Are Big On Reliability And Safety. Thats Why They Are The Only SxS With Door Netting As A Standard Option. Another Thing Honda Does Is Build A Bullet Proof Platform And Go Cheap On A Lot Of Components That They Feel People Will Use The Aftermarket Community To Customize Their Toys To Suit Their Riding Style And Needs. They’ve Done That With Dirt Bikes For Decades Where A Company Like KTM Will Put All The Bells And Whistles On From The Factory.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

@@baddealer8914 Don't know if that as their plan here or not but it's certainly playing out that way. Seems the springs are going to be the most changed part on any Talon. One way or the other, I love the machine. Making a few upgrades just adds to the fun.

[@baddealer8914]

Terry Hatfield Looking Forward To See The Build..

[@jimgross7722]

These springs look great but They are out of stock. And I can't order a set Bummer.

[@terryhatfieldmin]

It's a supply issue from Eibach. Bandit has standing orders for them. They should be back in stock soon!

[@skeim5620]

How are they holding up

[@terryhatfieldmin]

I've since changed over to the full spring kit from Bandit but I sold the tenders to a friend that is still running them. They are working great for him.

[@skeim5620]

@@terryhatfieldmin why did you change to full springs

[@terryhatfieldmin]

@@skeim5620 Just another step up in improving the suspension.

[@skeim5620]

@@terryhatfieldmin do you notice big difference plus did you gain ground clearance like the tenders

[@terryhatfieldmin]

@@skeim5620 Same ground clearance but a big improvement in plushness of the suspension. Here's the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmnagJ-cerd0f80