Why so many Elka Shock rebuilds?

[Joel The Biker]

I have been considering buying Elka front shocks, but hear about so many people having to send their shocks in for a rebuild every 2 years or so. This is very discouraging. My stock shocks have 24000 miles and still work great. I would expect the same from a $700 set of Elkas. Why so many rebuilds? What went bad?

[JerryB]

Hi Joel,

Re: Why so many rebuilds?

I was looking at a set of used Elkas. The selling price & the cost to rebuild would come to more than a new set.

I went with the Fox shocks.

Jerry Baumchen

[CMA Cowboy]

I've had Elkas on the front of my RT since I bought it in 2014. Still working great.

[Chupaca]

Elkas come with the recommendation that they should be serviced. Not sure if that is the same as the rebuilds or they are failing because a lack of service. Especially the aggressive ryders who work them hard as opposed to the freeway cruiser...:dontknow:

[FBRKR]

ELKA's are GREAT shocks, fully custom built on order. I got my set from www.racingpowersports.com got a great deal and free shipping.

[jcthorne]

I have had mine on my F3 since late 2015 and they still work as good as when I got them. No rebuilds here.

[Purple Guy]

Another :2thumbs: for Elka Stage 2 Shocks!
I put them on front & back in 2015 and haven't had any problem with them.

[R FUN]

I have installed 2-sets on two different 2012 RTLs in 2012 and have had no problem whatsoever. Greats shocks and performance.
Roger

[PMK]

Typically, in motorsports, ELKA is a second tier shock. Ohlins, KYB, Showa, Penske and even Fox are the superior products. However, saying that, there are few choices in aftermarket Spyder suspension.

As an all around suspension supplier, Fox is involved in not only Spyders, but off road buggies and trucks, military vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and sleds, plus probably more. In most cases, Fox has a very good handle on high performance along with longevity, including seals and fluids.

Ela fits the bill for many Spyder owners. I was leaning towards Elkas years ago, but being a long time suspension tuner for motorcycles, my conversation with Elka steered me away from their product. I kept is simple and went with BRP accessory Fox units, which out of the box have been superb. Many people insist they need the various clickers to fine tune their shocks, but honestly, once set there is no true need for additional adjustments. Internally our Fox suspension they did a really good job on the shim stacks and spring rates, and saying that I did not even adjust the preload collars or consider revalving them.

I recall reading about a bunch of Elkas having failed main seals and leaking. Word was there were some defective somethings that caused this. Not sure what specifically or how they corrected it, possibly this is what you are seeing referred to more commonly.

[canamjhb]

There was a "run" of Elka shocks that had defective seals that were supplied by one of their suppliers. At least that is what Elka told me. I was involved with that. Both my front Elkas failed at less than 10K miles. They were sent back for repair and now after another 25K miles there have been zero problems. And, I agree, after setting the shock up to my liking, I find no need to mess with them further..... Jim

[Joel The Biker]

Thank you

[FBRKR]

Go with the ELKA's, you won't regret!
Thank you

[treva]

Go with the ELKA's, you won't regret!

I hope so as i have just fitted stage 4 front shocks to my F3-S.

[CopperSpyder]

Have you looked at our new sponsor https://www.m2shocks.com/ ? looks like they have some nice stuff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTPGdyWxPXs&feature=youtu.be

[M2Shocks]

Hey Guys, I have been building shocks for all applications for over 20 years now. I have been a service center for Ohlins and Penske...and was the Market Manager at JRi Shocks at one point.

ON ANY PERFORMANCE SHOCK..."Recommendation is every 2 to 3 years". Really it just depends on use, storage, and condition. If you are on roads with a lot of rocks and stuff, likely you will need a service every year or two as the rocks chip up the shaft, which muchrooms and tears the seal on the main bearing.

Obviously I have my own line of shocks, but I have worked on many Elka's and really there is nothing inferior about the bearings, so you shouldn't stress if you have them.

[larryd]

I put Elkas on my 2014 RTS when I purchased it new in May of 2014...With in a month they were leaking oil...Sent them back for warranty and almost 3 weeks later I got them back...At the end of the 2018 riding season back in Oct.18 I noticed wet spots on the floor again...Bike had 26000 miles...Sent them to a independent shock rebuilder in Erie PA...Have not ridden this season yet...larryd

I forgot to add one thing...When my Elkas failed back in Oct. 18 I put my stock shocks back on that I had installed the BAJARON shock spring adjuster kit...I rode several times in late Oct. & early Nov. AND I can honestly say I could NOT tell the difference...