Best suspension setup for XC

[missouritrailrider]

I am wanting to start doing hare scrambles next season, what would be a good suspension setup and cheap for the best value? it is currently stock soon to have motor done

 

[klutchbuster350]

I reccomend a Gt thunder revalve. But since stock warrior shocks are'nt the best, and it woud cost about the same to buy yfz shocks to revalve, I would say maybe buy some works AT steelers? I have no experience with them but others on this site have. All i know is that i LOVE my elkas.

 

[teamexileracing]

Me(I race xc) and my friend both have dual rate works at stealers on on warriors with +2 asr a-arms and the set up is amazing. The biggest stuff feals like nothing its such a smooth ride but we both have them set up soft. You also can hit some jumps just not so big or you will bottem out with how we have ours set up.

 

[missouritrailrider]

so the works steelers can be used with stock a-arms and +2 setups, as i wouldnt mind having +2 in the future but really need shocks now

 

[98warrior]

No, you cant just take shocks built for stock length a-arms and then later on get +2 a-arms and use the same shocks. They would be way too soft, you could get them revalved for +2's later on though but you'd probably be better off to just get the +2 shocks/a-arms to begin with.

 

[missouritrailrider]

any idea on where to find some cheap +2 a-arms besides ebay?

 

[griff]

Cheap?

Pick up some Works AT Steelers for the fronts, their a solid upgrade over stock, and reasonably priced.

For the rear, assuming the Warrior shock is the same as the Raptor, just have CDM upgrade it. Its a lot less expensive, and you'll get a superior shock thats on-par with any of the aftermarket rears (Quadstar, Elka, etc).

This was mine after the conversion...

IIRC, its $285 using your OEM spring. If you want a new spring (and/or at a different spring rate) add $70. This is a 'heart transplant', new shaft, with damping adjust, new rebound and compression damping valving stack, with gas/oil separator system.

Hard to beat for the price....

 

[jasonp]

I have a set of triple rates works and I think there pretty cheaply made in my opinion.. The seals look to be leaking and they use rings like a sleeve that goes around the body of the shock to stop the springs from compressing a specific amount.. They are loose and vibrate when the shock is not compressed. They also wear out the shock body.
I have the banshee rear shock on my warrior and I love it.. lots of adjustablity and feels bottomless why'll still giving a great ride.

Honestly though if I where doing any type of racing I'd want a shock custom made for me..

 

[missouritrailrider]

CDM? is this a shock company? and do they rebuild front shocks as well?

 

[griff]

CDM? is this a shock company? and do they rebuild front shocks as well?

Cogent Dynamic Motorsports.... He can rebuild a variety of manufacturers shocks, including Works, Ohlins, Elka, Fox... etc. He knows his ****. He can also build custom shocks from scratch (which is where I got my fronts, but they aint cheap).

Does suspension primarily for motorcycles, but obviously he does ATV shocks too. He's very popular with the WERA and AFM racers, especially Ducati's and Suzuki's. I've known him years, and hes a contributing Vendor on my own site.

If ya want more info, just shoot me a PM.

 

[griff]

I have a set of triple rates works and I think there pretty cheaply made in my opinion....

....They also wear out the shock body.

Rick (of CDM) said the same thing to me, a lot of the Works bodies get worn out because of the design of the damping assembly (and it being against a aluminum body). He's rebuilt quite a few for the DR guys.

 

[missouritrailrider]

would the works steelers dual rates for $350 or the elka dual rates for $450 be better shocks for the money in racing?

 

[teamexileracing]

elkas but r u you really that into racing? And r they going to be set up for you?

 

[klutchbuster350]

The elkas, mainly because you have the option to add rezzies to them later on, unless the works have that option now aswell. But I have the dual rates on my xc quad, and I couldn't be happier honestly. Just make sure you get a nice steering stabilizer.

 

[jasonp]

[quote:w6mdtu95]I have a set of triple rates works and I think there pretty cheaply made in my opinion....

....They also wear out the shock body.

Rick (of CDM) said the same thing to me, a lot of the Works bodies get worn out because of the design of the damping assembly (and it being against a aluminum body). He's rebuilt quite a few for the DR guys.[/quote:w6mdtu95]

Ok.. I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way.
I think the bottom line elka's have a bigger shaft and don't use the spacers. They look higher quality.

 

[jasonp]

The elkas, mainly because you have the option to add rezzies to them later on, unless the works have that option now aswell. But I have the dual rates on my xc quad, and I couldn't be happier honestly. Just make sure you get a nice steering stabilizer.

The works have that option as well..
I believe the elka's come with 5/8" shafts on all models to get this on the works you have to go past the steeler model which is way more expensive when comparing the two.. I'll do some more research..

 

[missouritrailrider]

yes, the elka's would be set up for me and my bike exactly, im not really too into racing but my stock shocks suck and i want the best for my money, i guess im just crazy

 

[klutchbuster350]

Elka all the way then, alot of people bash them. Dont know why, I can't stand not riding with my elkas, trust me. After riding on a pair, anything else just wont do.

 

[teamexileracing]

yes, the elka's would be set up for me and my bike exactly, im not really too into racing but my stock shocks suck and i want the best for my money, i guess im just crazy

Hey i must be crazy too becuase i get bashed on for putting too much money into my warrior. But what ive noticed is that you should just get +2 a-arms and shocks at the same time, just the socks will be nice but you still are really unstable, my friend did that on his warrior, then he got +2's and revalved his shocks for those and man it feals way better, so much more stable, and it rocks in the woods.

 

[missouritrailrider]

well i have the offset wheels on the front so the wideness isnt too much of a problem but i believe i may have a bent upper a-arm so im not sure what im gonna do as far as a-arms go but i dont want it too wide as hitting trees in the woods hurts lol