Pitbull Powersports New Front Shock Relocators!

[spyderfever]

Malissa and I were at Pitbull Powersports last weekend for the Mogang Spyderfest meeting and Len mentioned some new Front shock relocator brackets that he designed for the Spyder. I've had Elka shocks for 8 months and thought 'how can my spyder handle any better? I had Len put a pair on my RTS and OH MY GOSH,:yikes: I was totally amazed how much better my spyder handled on the highway. We headed home North on I-44 and the wind was gruesome with a lot of side winds and tractor trailer shear. I was expecting the normal sway and buffeting in the front end, but the ride was smooth and very easy to handle.:yes: Usually my arms get tired from fighting the steering with the wind buffeting on such a long ride, but the ride home was smooth and effortless. Love the way it handles. It makes the Elka's work so much better because of the different angle of the shock. Thanks Len for the great design.:clap::bowdown:

[SpyRyd]

Malissa and I were at Pitbull Powersports last weekend for the Mogang Spyderfest meeting and Len mentioned some new Front shock relocator brackets that he designed for the Spyder. I've had Elka shocks for 8 months and thought 'how can my spyder handle any better? I had Len put a pair on my RTS and OH MY GOSH,:yikes: I was totally amazed how much better my spyder handled on the highway. We headed home North on I-44 and the wind was gruesome with a lot of side winds and tractor trailer shear. I was expecting the normal sway and buffeting in the front end, but the ride was smooth and very easy to handle.:yes: Usually my arms get tired from fighting the steering with the wind buffeting on such a long ride, but the ride home was smooth and effortless. Love the way it handles. It makes the Elka's work so much better because of the different angle of the shock. Thanks Len for the great design.:clap::bowdown:

Thanks for the review. Gonna get mine installed at my appointment with the Pit Crew on Wednesday afternoon during Spyderfest.

[cjackg]

Malissa and I were at Pitbull Powersports last weekend for the Mogang Spyderfest meeting and Len mentioned some new Front shock relocator brackets that he designed for the Spyder. I've had Elka shocks for 8 months and thought 'how can my spyder handle any better? I had Len put a pair on my RTS and OH MY GOSH,:yikes: I was totally amazed how much better my spyder handled on the highway. We headed home North on I-44 and the wind was gruesome with a lot of side winds and tractor trailer shear. I was expecting the normal sway and buffeting in the front end, but the ride was smooth and very easy to handle.:yes: Usually my arms get tired from fighting the steering with the wind buffeting on such a long ride, but the ride home was smooth and effortless. Love the way it handles. It makes the Elka's work so much better because of the different angle of the shock. Thanks Len for the great design.:clap::bowdown: It seems I heard this new mod slightly lowers the front end of the RT... Do you have a feel now for about how much lower ?

(Waiting to hear as I do not want to reduce the ground clearance under the front of my RT any more than I already did with the BumpSkid... )

[pro10is]

From a handling performance standpoint lowering the center of gravity is good as long as it still leaves clearance for road hazards as I'm sure it does.

[spyderfever]

It seems I heard this new mod slightly lowers the front end of the RT... Do you have a feel now for about how much lower ?

(Waiting to hear as I do not want to reduce the ground clearance under the front of my RT any more than I already did with the BumpSkid... )
I didn't notice a big difference and I didn't actually measure the height before and after, but looking at the position of the shock, it might have lowered the front end about 3/4". I still have plenty of clearance underneath and it handles so much better. You may want to call Len at Pitbull Powersports, he would be able to answer this question much better than I and could explain how the shock relocator works. Thanks for your question and reply. I think you'd like the difference in handling. Good Luck! Dennis.

[cjackg]

My 2012 RT Ltd with Elkas currently has very close to 7" ground clearance at the front tip of Pops BumpSkid, and about 5 1/4" at the rear edge.

I sometimes ride on backroads where clearance is important plus I need clearance for the loading ramps on both my Toy Hauler and my utility trailer. Losing 3/4" is a concern. Guess I'll get the precise data at SpyderFest, then decide if I am willing to chance it.

[jthornton]

My 2012 RT Ltd with Elkas currently has very close to 7" ground clearance at the front tip of Pops BumpSkid, and about 5 1/4" at the rear edge.

I sometimes ride on backroads where clearance is important plus I need clearance for the loading ramps on both my Toy Hauler and my utility trailer. Losing 3/4" is a concern. Guess I'll get the precise data at SpyderFest, then decide if I am willing to chance it.

Are you pumping up the rear shock to max when you load and unload? That seems to give me more clearance...

John

[spyderfever]

My 2012 RT Ltd with Elkas currently has very close to 7" ground clearance at the front tip of Pops BumpSkid, and about 5 1/4" at the rear edge.

I sometimes ride on backroads where clearance is important plus I need clearance for the loading ramps on both my Toy Hauler and my utility trailer. Losing 3/4" is a concern. Guess I'll get the precise data at SpyderFest, then decide if I am willing to chance it.


I just measured the ground clearance on my RTS and I've got 7 5/8" at the front of the bumpskid and 6 1/2" at the rear. I also have my rear shock on the middle setting. That was a great idea from John about the rear shock setting. Hope this helps with your decision. Looking forward to seeing you at SpyderFest. Dennis

[cjackg]

I just measured the ground clearance on my RTS and I've got 7 5/8" at the front of the bumpskid and 6 1/2" at the rear. I also have my rear shock on the middle setting. That was a great idea from John about the rear shock setting. Hope this helps with your decision. Looking forward to seeing you at SpyderFest. Dennis

The preload on my Elkas is set pretty firm and that likely accounts for mine sitting a little lower in the front.

I just talked with Len at Pitbull and got some assurance that I am not likely to lose any significant ground clearance with the new brackets. He indicated that the change in shock mounting position usually enables reducing the Elka pre-load setting which raises the front enough to compensate for the brackets.

We'll see Wed when they install mine !:thumbup:

[spyderfever]

The preload on my Elkas is set pretty firm and that likely accounts for mine sitting a little lower in the front.

I just talked with Len at Pitbull and got some assurance that I am not likely to lose any significant ground clearance with the new brackets. He indicated that the change in shock mounting position usually enables reducing the Elka pre-load setting which raises the front enough to compensate for the brackets.

We'll see Wed when they install mine !:thumbup:



Sounds Great, Jack! I'm glad you talked to Len. I didn't want to mislead you with misinformation. I think you'll like them. See you at Spyderfest! Let the Partaaay begin!

[jthornton]

The preload on my Elkas is set pretty firm and that likely accounts for mine sitting a little lower in the front.

I just talked with Len at Pitbull and got some assurance that I am not likely to lose any significant ground clearance with the new brackets. He indicated that the change in shock mounting position usually enables reducing the Elka pre-load setting which raises the front enough to compensate for the brackets.

We'll see Wed when they install mine !:thumbup:

When I installed them on my spyder Saturday the angle they sit at and location of the new hole seems to be a wash in over all height.

JT

[AZCowboy]

Were do you find the Pitbull Powersports front shock relocators? RJ

[mob133]

you have to call pitbull p/s they have not updated the website yet

[DriftersWay]

Can these relocaters be installed at home or does bike have to go to shop?

[Mayhem]

Super easy to do at home, even a caveman (me) could do it.

[hill27]

did it myself at home, with a little help from pitbull by phone.

[DriftersWay]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to find his number and get mine ordered.Butch

[jthornton]

Can these relocaters be installed at home or does bike have to go to shop?

I did a how to a while back on installing them.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?51438-Installing-Pit-Bull-Shock-Relocator

JT

[pitbull]

I did a how to a while back on installing them.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?51438-Installing-Pit-Bull-Shock-Relocator

JT
Thanks guys the relocaters have been working really well. we have several sets out there and all are working well. They just give you a low dollar edge on your bike and work really well with elkas! Coming soon we are bringing performance packages back with an all new Stage 1 to stage5...trying to get geared up for a lot of fun!

[Chupaca]

Installed the re-locator blocks last week and found them to make as much change as BajaRon sway bar. If in time I find the handling lacking I will go to the elka shocks but for the time being it is just where I want it with the stock shocks..thanks guys..!! :2thumbs:

[pitbull]

Installed the re-locator blocks last week and found them to make as much change as BajaRon sway bar. If in time I find the handling lacking I will go to the elka shocks but for the time being it is just where I want it with the stock shocks..thanks guys..!! :2thumbs:
Glad to hear your liking them, pretty simple install with big improvments:thumbup:

[Sarge707]

Installed the re-locator blocks last week and found them to make as much change as BajaRon sway bar. If in time I find the handling lacking I will go to the elka shocks but for the time being it is just where I want it with the stock shocks..thanks guys..!! :2thumbs:

Are you using the relocators on a GS/RS with the stock shocks and RonBar? I,m thinking of adding the Relocators to my GS with the RonBar and wonder about the "Control" improvement without getting super sensitive to steering imput?

[pslawing]

Installed the re-locator blocks last week and found them to make as much change as BajaRon sway bar. If in time I find the handling lacking I will go to the elka shocks but for the time being it is just where I want it with the stock shocks..thanks guys..!! :2thumbs:

The sway bar mod made such a huge difference for me, it's hard to imagine it being any better. Can you explain the difference the re-locators made.
Thanks