I've never messed with the shocks. My dealer sets the shocks for the best ride. If I did a LOT of heavy farm work and had heavy loads a lot, I would adjust the shocks and make them stiffer for sure. But I don't haul heavy loads enough to mess with it. My usual loads are hunting equipment at times, a couple dogs at different times, or just random stuff to haul off.
I have never understood the Ranger/Polaris hate. Prior to this I had a 2013 Ranger and put thousands of miles on it as well. Friend of mine has a 2008 or 2009 machine that is still going strong with a LOT of heavy farm use. If you take care of them I've found them to be great machines.
I would love a General for leisure activities, but I love the hop on/hop off ability of the upright Ranger seats. Myself and my daughter are constantly driving it and jumping in and out to open gates, tinker, etc. The General is a lot smoother and more comfortable for long rides, but a pain to jump in and out of constantly.
My brother has a Honda Pioneer, and I've found it to be the same as the General. Smoother and more comfortable for long joy rides, but a pain for farm/yard work where you're constantly in and out of it.
