[92K1500]

This may have been asked before, but I suck at searching so I'm not going to. Yeah cool whatever.

Anyways, I'm going to be getting into XC racing (First race is this weekend).

I have an all stock XX other than a full set of Maxxis Razrs, and a UNI filter. I plan on upgrading the lights for night races but that's beside the point.

I just got a $1020 check from my work (long story) and I figure it came in perfect time for me to start racing.

My initial thought was to get a HMF comp series full exhaust and a PC-V and using what's left over on a sway bar.

Well MustangGH told me I should put it into suspension and a sway bar and upgrade the engine later.


So I'm posting here to gather a general consensus before making my purchase. I know I'm going to need skids (waiting for the new plastic ones to be made) and nerf bars, but those aren't at the top of my list.

So, what would you guys suggest?

If motor, what brands/parts would you suggest?
If suspension, what brands/parts would you suggest?

(I'm still fairly new to the ATV world and don't know what all is out there.)

 

[HosRacn]

It's like this: you could have the fastest motor out there but, if your suspension can not work as fast as your motor can take you then it is wasted money!!!
Always Suspension first!!!! Unless you are just drag racing!!

 

[Red-N-BlackXX]

Jeff told you right! Spend that money on your suspension!

 

[boost addict]

A decent suspension will cost you at least 2000.00 and that's for just the shocks.

 

[ceballos]

suspension for sure!!!!!!

 

[700xxmaniac]

A decent suspension will cost you at least 2000.00 and that's for just the shocks.

naa 2000 is for a perrty damn good suspensoin more like 800 for a decent... ( ds front and wiggstyile rear oem)

 

[boost addict]

naa 2000 is for a perrty damn good suspensoin more like 800 for a decent... ( ds front and wiggstyile rear oem)

If you say so :lmao:

 

[gavineli]

i say suspension it was like night and day after i put my elkas on but im just a trail rider and bones from elka still recomended the stage 3s for me and total price to my door was 2390.00

 

[D Bergstrom]

I say suspension also. At the minimum, replace the front shocks, those things are the most worthless junk Honda as ever put on a quad.

Doug

 

[92K1500]

Okay, so suspension it is (even though I realllly want exhaust. [I love loud things])

That being said, if the rider is around 6' 4" and 280lbs with the intent of XC racing, what shocks would be most cost effective?

I've never bought a shock in my life. lol

 

[gavineli]

the elkas and fox are both real nice its all in what you prefer but they both cost around the same adjustment for adjustment

 

[RemingtonSteel]

if you buy good shocks elka or fox they build them for you your riding style and weight. its not just an over the counter deal. they are worth it both shock companies are good have their differences but in the end both bad a$$ shocks. something to think about is wither you want long travle in the front or not another 800 for arms but really helps handleing. and its not something you can really do later because the same shock wont work for standard lenght and long travle.

 

[92K1500]

I was talking to MustangGH on the phone a little bit ago and he said personally if he was in my shoes he would run DS450 fronts since I've never raced before and if I don't like it I will still have decent shocks for recreational riding and wont be out a ton of money.

But my recreational riding is like racing for some people. lol

Right now my list consists of:

Shocks, Sway bar, skid plates, nerf bars, headlights, exhaust, programmer and bumpers.

So do you think I should go with DS450's and a rear sway bar to start and if I want to continue racing save up and buy Elka/Fox's or go balls to the wall from the start?

 

[Captamer71]

why a sway bar? everyone on here advised me to get the adjustable upper front a arms to correct the front end push and nothing being able to turn good. I personally am doing that.

 

[Baxter]

why a sway bar? everyone on here advised me to get the adjustable upper front a arms to correct the front end push and nothing being able to turn good. I personally am doing that.

The skidplates and nerfs should be your first things to buy.
The nerfs protect you and stop the rear end from getting hung up on the trees. The skids for the obivous reasons.
IMO the adjustiable upper a-arms will work better in XC racing than the swaybar.
After that front shocks ,modified rear shocks ,better tires and a antivbe stem.

 

[92K1500]

There are better tires than the Razrs? lol

After talking with MustangGH and Ranger19jn I think I'm going to go with DS450 front shocks and a steering stabilizer.

Then I'm looking at the AC nerf bars, and whenever 5W0P3 gets off his lazy butt and releases the skids I'll get one of them. I don't see a point in buying a steel/aluminum skid just to turn around and replace it with the plastic one.

The reason for a steering stabilizer is because I've already been thrown off my bike once by the bars getting ripped from my hands, and Mustang hit something in the race Saturday that messed up his thumb.

Still nothing is set in stone. Browsing and reading so many reviews I'll probably get in trouble for being on the internet so much at work.

 

[crwh45]

I would get nerfs and a stabilizer first, seeing how you are waiting for the plastic skids. You already have the tires, but the nerfs actually are pretty much a necessity IMO when racing as they prevent other peoples wheels and trees from coming in and hitting you or catching your rear wheel and making the quad do a 180. You can pick up a set of ds shocks relatively cheap, and it is hard to tell you whether to go that route or buy fox or elka's. The DS shocks are way better than stock, but don't compare to the better shocks, but for someone on a budget that are fine.

 

[roadkill]

I've said this before... But, I'll say it again.
A good rule of thumb for mods for ANY type of riding is a list of priorities. Example below....

1. Safety mods (mods that protect you #1 and protect your quad #2)
Examples... Nerf bars, good bumper, skid plate... etc.

2. Handling mods... Shocks, tires, steering damper... etc.

3. Go fast mods... Big 3... etc. (The sky's the limit here)

4. Bling... Mods that just make quad look good.

Some mods that I listed for handling will also help you go faster for the simple reason... The better your quad handles, the faster you can go.

roadkill