Long travel rear suspension ideas

[beastlywarrior228]

Looking for something to go along with the lt front suspension Weston came up with. A lot of guys use the raptor 660 shock, however I always found they were too long for the stock warrior geometry. I've been tossing around for years now designing a link that will use the 660 shock but increase the progression ratio with a softer spring. This would keep the stock travel but have a smoother progression. Any other ideas?

 

[duneracerweston]

the trick would be making the progression rate as symmetrical as possible while using the proper max droop and compression of the warrior chassis and setting it up to match the 660 shock. 11-12" of travel should be possible but im sure billet linkage will be needed to perfect it.

 

[PineyPower]

So uh... this is an old thread but I couldn't help but notice drw has a rear linkage listed on the website. Doesn't have much info and I can't find anyone who had reviewed it. Gonna go out on a limb and guess drw is duneracerweston... he still active here? Seems his quad is a test bed for his products so I'm curious is anyone has heard of this, or if he sees this and can give some specifics himself.
Just curious how much extra travel it'll free up with the stock shocks or if it's designed specificly for a different set up. Seems 350$ to upgrade the geometry is a better spend than 600$ for a better shock, and I'm suprised nobody is talking about it

 

[beastlywarrior228]

So uh... this is an old thread but I couldn't help but notice drw has a rear linkage listed on the website. Doesn't have much info and I can't find anyone who had reviewed it. Gonna go out on a limb and guess drw is duneracerweston... he still active here? Seems his quad is a test bed for his products so I'm curious is anyone has heard of this, or if he sees this and can give some specifics himself.
Just curious how much extra travel it'll free up with the stock shocks or if it's designed specificly for a different set up. Seems 350$ to upgrade the geometry is a better spend than 600$ for a better shock, and I'm suprised nobody is talking about it

Yes I talk to him all of the time. I am actually running one of his links now. It doesn't add travel per se but it is super smooth. With my long travel front suspension and his linkage with a banshee shock I was floating over everything.

 

[PineyPower]

My biggest problem is deep sandy whoops, once you get a bit out of rhythm the back kicks up and out, noticing it is alot worse than guys on newer machines. Helps alot in them situations? If so I'll throw it on the same order as the oil cooler adapter and see how it performs

 

[beastlywarrior228]

My biggest problem is deep sandy whoops, once you get a bit out of rhythm the back kicks up and out, noticing it is alot worse than guys on newer machines. Helps alot in them situations? If so I'll throw it on the same order as the oil cooler adapter and see how it performs

Yes it'll remove all of the buck with that shock and link.

 

[PineyPower]

Just installed the drw link last night. Even with the stock shock it makes a noticeable difference. I'm no anthropologist but I think it moves some mounting points around so that the suspension has less leverage against the spring as it travels up so you have a more predictable spring rate
I'll have a little better review after a proper ride but even on a quick rip the back kicks less on small bumps and seems to stay planted better

 

[MalcolmV8]

I'm really interested in this as I'm trying to smooth out my quad as much as possible. So this rear link which I found on the drwperformanceatv.com website and a Raptor 660 shock or else a banshee rear.
From my searching the 350 stock rear shock is about 14.25" long and the 660 is 15.25" and the banshee rear is 14.5". But what about spring rates and dampening quality? couldn't find that info. Asking as someone with a hurt back looking to smooth out their ride and feel like it's riding on a cloud.... or as close as I'm going to get.

What is the long travel front suspension I see mentioned? Is that using +2 a-arms and yfz450 front shocks?

Thanks
Malcolm

 

[beastlywarrior228]

I'm really interested in this as I'm trying to smooth out my quad as much as possible. So this rear link which I found on the drwperformanceatv.com website and a Raptor 660 shock or else a banshee rear.
From my searching the 350 stock rear shock is about 14.25" long and the 660 is 15.25" and the banshee rear is 14.5". But what about spring rates and dampening quality? couldn't find that info. Asking as someone with a hurt back looking to smooth out their ride and feel like it's riding on a cloud.... or as close as I'm going to get.

What is the long travel front suspension I see mentioned? Is that using +2 a-arms and yfz450 front shocks?

Thanks
Malcolm

The gen 1 fullflight an arms and revalved yfz shocks. I currently have the banshee rear with drw link and it works great for control. This winter though I'm going to send a raptor 660 shock out for a dual rate and about an inch of sag to try to get a really smooth ride.

 

[PineyPower]

Yeah as a bit of a follow up on this I wound up with a banshee shock revalved for my weight with the drw link. I feel like the link made more a difference than the shock but both together work great for my riding style. The link works well to iron out the jolts from roots and rocks and the shock helps in hard whoops and big hits.
Now that I have the elkas up front though it makes the rear feel rough by comparison. Beastly's 660 shock idea sounds good to me but obviously it's a custom work in progress (though I'm very curious how it works out)

 

[PineyPower]

I think in your case with your back being in rough shape knowing your weight and what kinda terrain you are on might help with suggestions, followed by budget.

 

[MalcolmV8]

The gen 1 fullflight an arms and revalved yfz shocks. I currently have the banshee rear with drw link and it works great for control. This winter though I'm going to send a raptor 660 shock out for a dual rate and about an inch of sag to try to get a really smooth ride.

Is there something specific about fullflight a-arms? Or would any of the +2 a-arms out there I see work? Seems like a massive choice searching around.
How are yfz shocks revalved? To make them softer? Is this something you can do yourself or do you have to find a shop and have them do it?

I think in your case with your back being in rough shape knowing your weight and what kinda terrain you are on might help with suggestions, followed by budget.

Around 145 lbs and nothing to crazy. Somewhat regular trails with usual bumps and pits, occasional tree root etc. and bumpy back yards. I don't do crazy big jumps or anything. If I catch 6" to a foot of air that's plenty and I try not to do that much with my back.

 

[beastlywarrior228]

Is there something specific about fullflight a-arms? Or would any of the +2 a-arms out there I see work? Seems like a massive choice searching around.
How are yfz shocks revalved? To make them softer? Is this something you can do yourself or do you have to find a shop and have them do it?


Around 145 lbs and nothing to crazy. Somewhat regular trails with usual bumps and pits, occasional tree root etc. and bumpy back yards. I don't do crazy big jumps or anything. If I catch 6" to a foot of air that's plenty and I try not to do that much with my back.

Gen 1 fullflights had the lower shock mount off which made them work well with yfz shocks. Revalve is putting better calving and springs on the shocks. You'll have to send them so someone like Rocket Ron.

 

[MalcolmV8]

Gen 1 fullflights had the lower shock mount off which made them work well with yfz shocks. Revalve is putting better calving and springs on the shocks. You'll have to send them so someone like Rocket Ron.

Oh I see. Thanks for the info.

 

[PineyPower]

" Or would any of the +2 a-arms out there I see work? Seems like a massive choice searching around."
What is still available new is full flight or americian star and they are both made to work with stock length shocks.
Honestly if budget weren't an issue the simple answer for your ride is to have elka build you a set of shocks and if you want to make improvements from there get arms and a link.

 

[MalcolmV8]

" Or would any of the +2 a-arms out there I see work? Seems like a massive choice searching around."
What is still available new is full flight or americian star and they are both made to work with stock length shocks.
Honestly if budget weren't an issue the simple answer for your ride is to have elka build you a set of shocks and if you want to make improvements from there get arms and a link.

Is it just a matter of cutting off the shock mount and moving it further out? I can cut/weld/fabricate fairly decently if that's all it is.
I agree with a big budget anything can happen. I'm trying to get this comfy on a budget. I'm saving for a Raptor 700 one day. So it doesn't make a lot of sense to dump too much into the current 350s suspension.

 

[PineyPower]

Given you aren't heavy and you are mostly trying to get out the choppy bumps I think the drw link with the stock rear shock will work good for you. You will likely need to add a little preload to get ride height back to stock with it but it does work well. Worst case you get a banshee or 660 shock in there to complete the package. Up front...
"Is it just a matter of cutting off the shock mount and moving it further out?"
you been reading on here eh? This is what I wound up doing to mount 16.5 inch shocks after realizing full flight changed their design, but of course im working with custom shocks and a arms.
I dont see a reason you couldn't do the same to mount yfz shocks even on stock arms though. With less leverage they might be a little stiff but that can all be sorted out by a shock builder later, once you know what to tell them

 

[MalcolmV8]

Given you aren't heavy and you are mostly trying to get out the choppy bumps I think the drw link with the stock rear shock will work good for you. You will likely need to add a little preload to get ride height back to stock with it but it does work well. Worst case you get a banshee or 660 shock in there to complete the package. Up front...
"Is it just a matter of cutting off the shock mount and moving it further out?"
you been reading on here eh? This is what I wound up doing to mount 16.5 inch shocks after realizing full flight changed their design, but of course im working with custom shocks and a arms.
I dont see a reason you couldn't do the same to mount yfz shocks even on stock arms though. With less leverage they might be a little stiff but that can all be sorted out by a shock builder later, once you know what to tell them

This sounds like a plan. I don't mind spending $1k to $1500 to save my back till I can afford a 700 some day. I'm liking the idea of the DRW drop link in the rear and I'll see if I can find a decent 660 used shock or even a banshee to finish it out.

Since full flight changed their design I'm thinking any set of cheaper +2 a-arms off ebay to get the extra travel length and then cut off the shock mounts and relocate for the yfz 450 shocks. That should be a pretty good baseline front & rear. Then some much bigger softer tires. I'm thinking 25" front and rear possibly in 4 ply as they'll be more flexible, front and rear sprocket to offset the gear ratio change and then this seat I found on ebay that looks to have softer foam.

That should hopefully get it a much softer ride to where I can actually use the quad again

 

[beastlywarrior228]

This sounds like a plan. I don't mind spending $1k to $1500 to save my back till I can afford a 700 some day. I'm liking the idea of the DRW drop link in the rear and I'll see if I can find a decent 660 used shock or even a banshee to finish it out.

Since full flight changed their design I'm thinking any set of cheaper +2 a-arms off ebay to get the extra travel length and then cut off the shock mounts and relocate for the yfz 450 shocks. That should be a pretty good baseline front & rear. Then some much bigger softer tires. I'm thinking 25" front and rear possibly in 4 ply as they'll be more flexible, front and rear sprocket to offset the gear ratio change and then this seat I found on ebay that looks to have softer foam.

That should hopefully get it a much softer ride to where I can actually use the quad again

Fullflights are the cheap ones. I would recommend American star over them actually. For shocks go with Yfz and have them shortened by a shock builder to around 15.25".

I've also been thinking about selling my fullflight a arm, Yfz shocks and Yfz spindles front end for something new.

 

[beastlywarrior228]