Questions Regarding Elka Shocks

[Scotto]

Hello,

I am going to order an Elka Stage 2 rear shock for my 2018 F3. My wife and I ride together quite frequently, and are sick of bottoming out on occasion with the stock shock. My questions are should I put in driver and rider weights as naked or clothed? I believe the Elkin site says “without gear”, but I wasn’t sure if that was just helmet, riding jacket, etc. I may be over thinking it, and splitting hairs. My next question is the shock is the same price from Lamonster and Elka direct, is there any advantage of ordering from one or the other? If all things being equal, lead time, etc, it makes sense to order it from Lamonster and support a small business. I know the lead time is fairly long right now, and I want to get it ordered in time for spring. Thanks in advance for any input.

Regards,

Scotto

[CopperSpyder]

lol over thinking it for sure, just your weight same as you get in the doctors office. Lamont is the same but better as direct on the shocks no difference.

[troop]

I recently talked to John from Elka. He said Lamonster is a full service Elka dealer, and specifically recommends them for shocks for a Spyder. Jacob has been trained to set up the shocks to your specs. Lead time thru Elka is 8-10 weeks. Lamonster may have them in stock. If not, 8-10 weeks.
A.) Weight in street clothes.
B.) Same price thru either Elka direct or Lamonster.

All that said, call Marcus at M2 shocks. With a 20% forum discount, the rear shock would be only a few $$ more. While Lamonster/Elka have been very helpful, shocks are not created equally.
https://www.m2shocks.com/canam-spyder-products

Welcome to the forum ...

[aka1004]

I am definitely not happy with stage 2 rear on my RS.
I gave them my weight and whatever else they asked but when I installed it it was bottoming out bad and took about 12 turns to get 1 “ compression with me on it. It was still bottoming out here and there, 2 more turns and now it’s bit firm with 3/4” compression but it’s not bottoming.
And not a fan of the flathead screw type rebound adjuster instead of knob that clicks. Overall, thumbs down including tech support.

[bikerchris1270]

Hello,

I am going to order an Elka Stage 2 rear shock for my 2018 F3. My wife and I ride together quite frequently, and are sick of bottoming out on occasion with the stock shock. My questions are should I put in driver and rider weights as naked or clothed? I believe the Elkin site says “without gear”, but I wasn’t sure if that was just helmet, riding jacket, etc. I may be over thinking it, and splitting hairs. My next question is the shock is the same price from Lamonster and Elka direct, is there any advantage of ordering from one or the other? If all things being equal, lead time, etc, it makes sense to order it from Lamonster and support a small business. I know the lead time is fairly long right now, and I want to get it ordered in time for spring. Thanks in advance for any input.

Regards,

Scotto

I’m thinking of doing the same thing for my 2019 F3L. I’ll be heading down to Wing Ding in Springfield in June, thinking that I’ll make an appointment with La Monster. (6-8 weeks)
Very curious as to your impression of the Shock/Spring once installed.

[Scotto]

Thanks for all of the input. I am now curious about the M2 shocks. The normal price would put it off the table, but a 20% discount would only make the rear shock $27.60 more than the Elka. Has anyone else had any experience with either?

[Cobwebs]

Elka owner here.Adjust the preload collars to match the weight and ride you want.

[Scotto]

Elka owner here.Adjust the preload collars to match the weight and ride you want.

Don’t they come setup from Elka with your specifications?

[Cobwebs]

Don’t they come setup from Elka with your specifications?

Dealer I bought mine off said they were all the same internally, they just set the preload and rebound to match the numbers you supply.Makes sense otherwise there would be a million combinations and a custom build for each and every one.Don't think you would get that sort of deal for the price.

[trikermutha]

M2 worked for me very well. No more bottoming out and I dont use the air compressor anymore.. Not needed with the M2 shocks..Well at least not for me..And I do ride two up at times..

You will have to give your riding weights and how aggressive your like to ride.

[Yabbadabbadoo]

I have an Elka on my 2020 F3-S SS. You should plan on specifying extra weight allowances for your gear and luggage etc. I have the hydraulic preload adjuster on mine and change it as needed when my wife is onboard. I got mine through a more local to me vendor with a lot of experience with Elka shocks and he made the suggestions. I'm very happy, never bottom out. I don't know where this information is coming from "leaking" Elka shocks. They are extremely popular on snowmobiles and ATV's which have much higher service duty and they have an excellent track record.

[troop]

The "leaking issues" is from a bad batch of vendor supplied seals, from a few years back. I haven't heard of any new leaking issues. YMMV

[RayBJ]

I ordered Ekla fronts Mid-January and received them in less than 2 weeks from Lamonster.