[the_hawk]

iam looking at various ways to soften up my suspention a little, i though about the lower line fox and elka shocks maybe a works job, currious what others are doing

 

[BiFfMaN]

Im still rocking the stocks for now....

but really my question would be how soft do yah want to go? i think the stockers are kinda soft as they are....but dampening on the shocks are what i think needs improvment.

 

[bkelley]

How much do the lower line ones run?

 

[double_0_xx]

To me, the rear suspension is way stiff. The bike almost bucked me off when I hit a small bump in sand. Should have sailed over it. My buddy in his poohlaris hit it before me, and nothing at all. Different bikes I know, but still. The 700xx reacted almost violently.

Its like my balls are a punching bag for this bike.

 

[xx-rated]

To me, the rear suspension is way stiff. The bike almost bucked me off when I hit a small bump in sand. Should have sailed over it. My buddy in his poohlaris hit it before me, and nothing at all. Different bikes I know, but still. The 700xx reacted almost violently.

Its like my balls are a punching bag for this bike.

I agree that the rear feels stiff, but my fronts are soft. They feel pretty good except when you are going downhill into a corner at speed, then they dive pretty bad. But mine are still at the stock settings, and I weigh 210, so I need to stiffen them up. I would think that If you don't weigh at least 180 pounds that this bike would feel REALLY stiff.

Hawk, you are looking at about $500 a set for lower end shocks. Those are still really good shocks though, they just are not adjustable beyond preload. Works quoted me $555.00 for a set of G-Series shocks with adjustable pre-load and no rezzies. From there you are looking at another $200 for rezzies, and a grand for fully adjustable. Works are comparable to Elka's in price. I had a set of G's on my Raptor, and they made a huge difference, especially with the "diving" issue. Unless you really know how to tune your shocks, I personally think that a good set of non-adjustable shocks work fine. I think I'd want the rezzies for the rear set though.

 

[double_0_xx]

I consider myself a novice rider who loves speed and Tq hence the purchase.

I actually like the front soft, I dont fly into corners so its really not a big worry.

That said, Are the "cheap" options you mention available for the rear? Anything we can have done to the existing shocks?

 

[xx-rated]

I imagine you could have the rear shocks rebuilt for your weight, or to soften them, but at that point you may be better off just buying a new set. You are looking at about $700 - $750 for a rear set with rezzies. You don't want the rear to be too soft though or that baby will roll really bad in the turns. There is a company that specializes in rebuilding stock shocks, but I would have to research that one since I don't remember their name, I think there was a write-up on them a few months ago in QUAD magazine.

 

[double_0_xx]

GT Thunder? They built my old engine, and specialize in shocks etc.. great company.

 

[xx-rated]

Isn't GT Thunder the company that is building shocks for HMF/HLS?

 

[vfm2010]

I'm pretty sure they are.

 

[OzLinc]

Suspension is a bit subjective so this is all just my opinion.

Getting non-adjustable shocks like the cheap Works or Elkas is just a waste of money. The stock Honda shocks are a quality unit, the're just not adjustable so why would you buy another non-adjustable shock?

The stock fronts can not have ressies added and you can't mod them to get adjustable compression or rebound. The rears though may be worth a little more thought. They don't have adjustablity but you may be able to mod them cheaply and then you wont have the issue of finding something with the correct lower mount in the right length. So what do you do for a cheap alternative?

Any suspension specialist could re-valve the compression and rebound on the stock rear shocks. You may even be able to get adjustable compression by useing these http://www.hygearsuspension.com/hon450_hylo.html have a look at the pic and where they screw in too; it's the same on the stock 700XX rear shocks..........you will have to call them to see if they fit but the point is there are alternatives.

For the front you would be far better off with a fully adjustable OEM shock off another quad. You could swap the stock 700XX springs on to the "new/second hand" shock or even do a mix and match effort to get the right setup.

I've investigated this for the front end and I'm trying to get some measurements on some Can-Am DS450 fronts.......apparantly the TRX450 shocks are a little to short and the upper mount is too wide for the frame mount.

Linc

 

[xx-rated]

Suspension is a bit subjective so this is all just my opinion.

Getting non-adjustable shocks like the cheap Works or Elkas is just a waste of money. The stock Honda shocks are a quality unit, the're just not adjustable so why would you buy another non-adjustable shock?Linc

At some point the stockers just get tired. Not everyone is going to spend $800-$1,200 on a set of shocks. So on a limited budget, a set of shocks that are pre-load only adjustable are certainly not a waste of money. The front set of shocks on my Raptor were shit after 2 years, and the Works G that I put on it made a huge difference. They cost me around $500. Yeah, fully adjustable shocks would be sweet, but I know a lot of people that have them that don't know the first thing about adjusting them, so they don't. I get what you are saying, but the question was what to get on a limited budget. I wouldn't go out and replace the front shocks with a low end set until the stockers were fading though, so you make a good point. If you are going to replace them before you actually need to, then you should definitely upgrade to a higher end shock.

 

[Killer_Shee]

I spoke with Colby over at C&D Racing awhile back, and he thought that he could add the stock adjustment system from the 450R shocks to our stock rear shocks for appx $220/shock. A re-valve and spring change would be extra over that cost.

I have ran various Works shocks over the years on several different machines. I have had Pro Series piggybacks and I have had AT-Steeler non-adjustable shocks. They have all been great for me and were not a waste of money. Even the non-adjustable AT-Steelers are a huge upgrade because they are built specifically for your weight, riding style, etc. Plus they have double or triple rate springs and a superior valving system to the stock shocks.

 

[OzLinc]

At some point the stockers just get tired. Not everyone is going to spend $800-$1,200 on a set of shocks. So on a limited budget, a set of shocks that are pre-load only adjustable are certainly not a waste of money. The front set of shocks on my Raptor were shit after 2 years, and the Works G that I put on it made a huge difference. They cost me around $500. Yeah, fully adjustable shocks would be sweet, but I know a lot of people that have them that don't know the first thing about adjusting them, so they don't. I get what you are saying, but the question was what to get on a limited budget. I wouldn't go out and replace the front shocks with a low end set until the stockers were fading though, so you make a good point. If you are going to replace them before you actually need to, then you should definitely upgrade to a higher end shock.

Absolutely the stockers will get tired..........all shocks get tired thats why you re-build them.

We are not talking about shock replacement when they are flogged out, we want better performing shocks for a good price.

A Works (non adjustable) shock setup for your weight and riding style would be no better than a revalved stock shock setup for your weight and riding style.

Linc

 

[OzLinc]

I spoke with Colby over at C&D Racing awhile back, and he thought that he could add the stock adjustment system from the 450R shocks to our stock rear shocks for appx $220/shock. A re-valve and spring change would be extra over that cost..

Thats what I'm talking about, the stock rear shocks resevior is basicly the same as the 450R ressi but with a different (non-adjustable) valve cap screwed in place. I think the result would be great and much cheaper than new shocks.

 

[the_hawk]

thanks for all the good info, ill be the first to admit i know nothing about shocks or setting them up.... i would like to get softer rears, as one poster said some times you can feel the quad buck a little and not give so much , when i go over smaller diameter logs in the woods and what not at any decent amount of speed the quad kinda tosses me up doesnt really soak any of the hit up.

i was thinking or would like the cheeper end fox shocks, but at the same time like the fact that works will set up shocks for my weight ( around 180 ) and riding style ( gncc style trails mixed with long long logging roads and dirt roads ) so all i have to do is mount the shocks and rock and roll .

here is another problem i face though and we all iam sure do it... every now and then i do take girls for rides so with the new shocks set up for my weight will i mess any thing up taking some one with me ?

 

[the_hawk]

i like the high gear suspention idea is their any thing they can do for the front shocks at all ???

 

[OzLinc]

i like the high gear suspention idea is their any thing they can do for the front shocks at all ???

They can re-vale them no-problem.......also new springs if you want. if you have a look at the pics you will see an upgraded stock 450R shock with a duel or even triple rate spring kit.

The basic principal is that a well set-up cheap shock will perform better than a badly set-up expensive shock. If you can relay what your issues with the shocks you have are, then any shock builder can do the work.

eg: with your issue in the woods it sounds like you need to soften up the rear compression and slow down your rebound. That is just a revalve job.

Linc

 

[the_hawk]

hey linc, i think if the price is right iam definitly gonna go with them... if not i wonder if works can do any work for me on the back shocks ?

 

[the_hawk]

raptor 700 shocks on a 700xx ??? possible