What Type of Lift Kit Does Your ATV Actually Need?
Not all lift kits work the same way and the difference matters more than just how many inches you gain. Bracket lift kits are the most common and most affordable option. They shift your suspension’s mounting points in such a way that allows you to get a solid lift while keeping your original suspension geometry intact. This makes them an excellent pick for riders who want a more affordable route to greater clearance (and room for chonkier tires). They relocate the wheel hub outward and down, achieving major lift while actually improving ground clearance without stressing your suspension components the way a large bracket lift can.
Sizing Your ATV Lift to Your Riding Goals
Two inches gets you meaningful clearance improvement and room for modestly larger tires without requiring significant changes to your suspension or driveline setup. It's the sweet spot for riders who want a practical improvement without building a project machine. Larger lifts deliver more dramatic results but require more attention to geometry, axle angles, and potentially new CV axles or extended components to handle the added stress properly. If you're building a serious mud rig or a high-clearance trail machine, go bigger and plan the build accordingly. If you want a clean improvement to a machine you use for everything, a quality two-inch kit hits the mark without creating complications.
Portal Gear ATV Lifts: The Premium Option Explained
If you haven't looked into portal gear lifts yet, they're worth understanding. A standard lift raises the body of the ATV while keeping the wheel hub in its original position relative to the axle. Portal gear lifts move the entire wheel hub outward and lower, which lifts the axle above the ground while actually reducing stress on driveline components compared to a large bracket lift. The result is significant lift, dramatically improved ground clearance, the ability to run very large tires, and a ride quality that doesn't suffer the way a comparable bracket lift would. They're a serious investment, but for riders building a dedicated mud or trail machine, portals are hard to argue against.
Top 3 Selling ATV Lift Kit Brands
High Lifter is one of the most recognized names in ATV lift kits, with signature series options for popular models that deliver precise geometry, reliable performance, and the kind of build quality that justifies the brand's reputation.
SuperATV brings their extensive suspension expertise to the portal gear lift space with well-engineered portal systems for popular Honda models that deliver serious lift without compromising driveline reliability.
Strong Made produces straightforward, well-built lift kits for popular Honda models that deliver reliable clearance improvements with a clean install and solid construction.
Top 5 Selling ATV Lift Kits
The Honda Foreman/Rancher two-inch Signature Series Lift Kit by High Lifter is a precision-engineered lift for one of the most popular utility ATV platforms out there. Two inches of lift, solid geometry, and High Lifter's signature quality in a clean bolt-on package.
The Honda Foreman six-inch Portal Gear Lift by SuperATV is the premium option for Foreman riders who want to go big. Six inches of lift through portal gear technology that delivers serious ground clearance without the driveline stress of a comparable bracket lift.
The Can-Am Outlander Demon Bracket Lift Kit by Demon Powersports gives Outlander riders a reliable, affordable lift option with solid construction and a straightforward install that raises the machine and creates room for larger rubber.
The Honda Foreman Rubicon two-inch ATV Lift Kit by Strong Made is a no-frills, well-built lift for the Rubicon platform. Two inches of clean clearance improvement with Strong Made's reliable construction at a price point that makes sense.
The Honda Foreman and Rancher two-inch Lift Kit by Vessel Powersports serves a wide spread of popular Honda models, providing a generous two-inch lift that makes clearing rocks a breeze.
Will I need new axles after a lift?
It all comes down to lift height. If you’re going with less than two inches, you should still be able to manage on stock axles. Otherwise, plan for an upgrade.
What will happen to my handling?
A lift kit moves your center of gravity, which does affect how you handle at certain speeds and angles. Higher-quality ATV lift kits minimize these differences.
Are portals worth it?
Portal gear lift kits achieve big lift numbers without the geometry compromises and driveline stress of equivalent bracket lifts. For casual trail riders who want a modest clearance improvement, a quality bracket lift is more than sufficient.