Installed RT shocks today..

[Firefly]

Well, instead of going to the expense of the Elka or Penske shocks--- I decided to order some RT shocks after reading the positive feedback from Lamont trying them on his GS/RS.

You have to order all the parts separate (at least I didn't see the option of a completed shock). You need to be able to compress the spring in order to put them together.... I had a buddy that owns a service shop do it--- only took them a few minutes.

Brought them back to my shop and installed them--- took less than 20 minutes to swap them out...did it without removing the trunk.... tight to get in and do it--- but what isn't on the Spyder???

I adjusted them to the 4th firmest position... no chance to ride yet.

Adjusting the cams seemed tighter than on the other shocks--- I needed some extra leverage and found a 3/4" socket and wrench work just great... see photo.

Hope to ride this weekend!

[WackyDan]

Dan,

How much did the RT shocks cost you?

[dltang]

Dan,

How much did the RT shocks cost you?

Good question, I may be interested in the near future if they are reasonable.

[fastfraser]

Interested to .

[Firefly]

I went with the Billet shock adjusters ($89.99 for two). I thought maybe they would be stronger and look a bit better-- but they are pretty well hidden. Probably would just go with the regular adjusters (like we already have). The stock adjuster rings are # 706000294 and only cost $10 each -- so you can save some $$$ there.

You should be able to do the whole thing for $250 or less. Install was easy, but you'll really need to have someone with the right setup to mount the springs-- should be easy to find someone. My buddy has a really small auto shop and they did it in minutes--- and it only cost me a couple beers---

I did this for better handling and because I've got a fair amount of weight (right now - but not for long) and figured these might help. I have the sway bar upgrade installed too--- very interested to see what difference these make. The service manual says you may notice uneven play in the shocks until each side has had a chance to compress a few times.


Here is what I ordered:


Mfg Product Number: 219400121
Description: SHOCK ADJUST. for Can-Am Order
Quantity: 1 Unit Price: $89.99 Total Cost: $89.99

Mfg Product Number: 706000675
Description: SHOCK for Can-Am
Order Quantity: 2
Unit Price: $72.49
Total Cost: $144.98

Mfg Product Number: 706000676
Description: SPRING for Can-Am
Order Quantity: 2
Unit Price: $37.49
Total Cost: $74.98

Mfg Product Number: 706200881
Description: SPRING STOPPER for Can-Am Order
Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $5.99 Total Cost: $11.98

Mfg Product Number: 706200785
Description: CAP for Can-Am
Order Quantity: 2
Unit Price: $2.49
Total Cost: $4.98

ORDER TOTALS:

Item Total: $326.91

[SpyderByter]

Thanks for testing this out. Please keep us updated. I just put an airshock and auto tire in the rear, and I am looking for alternatives for the front. I also am a man of "extra girth".

I did install the sway bar, and noticed a difference with that. I am up to the top position on the stock shocks. Very little lean on corners, but she takes bumps hard, moreso now with the air shock and BF Goodrich in the rear.

I figure with a stronger spring, I can back off a little. Still experimenting with the airshock, trying to get the right combo of primary and back pressure for a softer ride, solo and two up. The BF Goodrigh prolly has a stiiffer sidewall than the stock. I already brought the presuure down to 27 from 35, I dont want to go any lower.

[RShrimp]

Couple of ways to see if pressure is correct.

Check the temp across the tire (both edges and center) after a ride.
Higher in center = too much air pressure High on edges = low pressure


Down and dirty way. (no special tool required and fun too! good excuse when you get caught as well)
Do a little burn out. Look at the mark. Should be even all the way across.
Dark edges = low pressure. Dark center = to much air

[sabunim5]

I really appreciate the post complete with part numbers etc.

[SpyderWolf]

Thanks for posting all of the critical information on how to do this, and the part numbers FireFly.

I will be very interested in reading your first ryde report as well.

[bone crusher]

Fire,

That's a cool mod...I wonder how much difference it will make? By you listing all the parts, prices, etc...you help others if they want to go that way as well...very nice....

[Firefly]

Fire,

That's a cool mod...I wonder how much difference it will make? By you listing all the parts, prices, etc...you help others if they want to go that way as well...very nice....

It was Lamont's post that started it all--- he tried them on his and said they were really good--- perhaps close to the Elka's...... so I'm going by his opinion.... which we know is pretty darn good!

[NancysToy]

It was Lamont's post that started it all--- he tried them on his and said they were really good--- perhaps close to the Elka's...... so I'm going by his opinion.... which we know is pretty darn good!

I see by your avatar that your complexion has finally cleared up.

[bone crusher]

I see by your avatar that your complexion has finally cleared up.

I know, thank goodness...we were worrying about the poor guy being blue all the time!

[NancysToy]

I know, thank goodness...we were worrying about the poor guy being blue all the time!

Once upon a time, at the start of a long, cold Winter, Firefly said, "If I can't ryde my Spyder, I'm gonna hold my breath until my face turns blue." Thank goodness Spring has come at last!

[Firefly]

Not sure if me looking like a 70's Russian singer is much better....

http://208.117.236.70/watch?v=2Z4m4lnjxkY

[SpyderWolf]

Not sure if me looking like a 70's Russian singer is much better....

http://208.117.236.70/watch?v=2Z4m4lnjxkY

It's all in the eye of the beholder.

Personally, I prefered the blue Avatar dude.

[bone crusher]

It's all in the eye of the beholder.

Personally, I prefered the blue Avatar dude.

That was a really good one!

[q-brrr]

Has anyone tried to install the gas shocks that are available on the Can-Am renagade 800 X-XC ATV?

http://www.brp.com/Flipbooks/Can-Am-...?Culture=en-US

page 31

[Firefly]

Well--- had my first ride with the new shocks today.

My original shocks were set at position 4, so I put these new ones also at position 4 to make a good comparison.

At first the ride felt a bit strange, perhaps 'tight' would be the word. For sure not as much bounce. I now fully understand the feeling of what others say when they have said 'it's like it's on rails'.

After about 20 minutes I decided to change the setting down to position #3 and see how that felt. That seemed to feel a bit better (or more familiar) to me, so I left them there.

VSS doesn't engage as much. Far less 'roll' in corners. Took many that I ride on a regular basis and it just felt better going through them. Looked down at my speed and noticed I was going 85 in twisties that I typically take around 70-75.... It just felt that comfortable in the curves.

So for $250 I'm VERY happy with this mod. I'm not sure how much better the Penske or Elka units operate, but I just can't see it being worth the extra grand or so.

For me the difference is well worth the $250. Not sure I would feel the same had I spent $2,000!

Still running the stock rear... might have to look into something there too eventually.

[SpyderWolf]

Well--- had my first ride with the new shocks today.

My original shocks were set at position 4, so I put these new ones also at position 4 to make a good comparison.

At first the ride felt a bit strange, perhaps 'tight' would be the word. For sure not as much bounce. I now fully understand the feeling of what others say when they have said 'it's like it's on rails'.

After about 20 minutes I decided to change the setting down to position #3 and see how that felt. That seemed to feel a bit better (or more familiar) to me, so I left them there.

VSS doesn't engage as much. Far less 'roll' in corners. Took many that I ride on a regular basis and it just felt better going through them. Looked down at my speed and noticed I was going 85 in twisties that I typically take around 70-75.... It just felt that comfortable in the curves.

So for $250 I'm VERY happy with this mod. I'm not sure how much better the Penske or Elka units operate, but I just can't see it being worth the extra grand or so.

For me the difference is well worth the $250. Not sure I would feel the same had I spent $2,000!

Still running the stock rear... might have to look into something there too eventually.

Thanks for the ryde report on these. It sounds like it is a great combination with the sway bar, and well worth the investment as well.

[Just Doo Me]

Firefly does the RT shock have a longer stroke? From the pic Lamont posted it seemed the shock body was shorter on the RT shock but it could have been the angle of the pic. Is there any exterior differences between the two? The valving is probably stiffer to compensate for the extra weight.

[aka1004]

i don't know if i could do this myself... but let me ask you this.
so you take the new shocks and existing spring to a auto shop to have them mount the spring to shock? is it possible for spring to pop out of the shocks if it is not handled properly? it does sound like rest of the step is not THAT hard.
can you use the existing adjust rings?
thank you in advance firefly

[Firefly]

Firefly does the RT shock have a longer stroke? From the pic Lamont posted it seemed the shock body was shorter on the RT shock but it could have been the angle of the pic. Is there any exterior differences between the two? The valving is probably stiffer to compensate for the extra weight.

I can take some measurements tonight and get back to you. The only exterior difference is the color of the spring is black. The spring is thicker for sure.

[Firefly]

i don't know if i could do this myself... but let me ask you this.
so you take the new shocks and existing spring to a auto shop to have them mount the spring to shock? is it possible for spring to pop out of the shocks if it is not handled properly? it does sound like rest of the step is not THAT hard.
can you use the existing adjust rings?
thank you in advance firefly

You buy new springs with the shocks - as well as top cap parts. While you *could* re-use the adjusters from your current shocks--- considering they are only a $10 part and you'd have to tear the old shocks apart--- I don't think it's worth the trouble. I bought the more expensive Billet Adjusters in hopes that they are stronger material.

So you take all the parts from the above list (decide which adjuster rings you want-- stock ones are $10 each, billet are $80 a pair).... take all those parts to your local auto/shock guy and they should be able to mount them easily for a small fee. Then just swap them with the shocks on your Spyder and you're good to go!

Don't jack the Spyder up much at all to change--- just enough pressure to barely lift the tires up a bit should do it. Might have to raise/lower the bike a smidge to line the mounting holes up---- but easy to do. I connected the tops first and then the bottoms.

Original shocks are sitting in a box.. still fully intact in case I need or want to swap them back.

Currently running on setting 3 and really like the feel. Was running original shocks on 4. Nice to know I have more latitude now considering setting 3 on the original shocks was far too bouncy.

[SpyderByter]

Thanks for posting the test results. Seems like a good, fairly priced upgrade.