Fox adjustable shocks for RT w/ price and PN

[sddinnh]

Just so it doesn't get lost in the clutter, here's what I found at the dealers this morning

My dealer quoted me $500 for the kit (plus installation) and the kit PN is 219400588 Personally, I now have to make up my mind if the difference in cost and the lack of downstream warranty issues is worth it or if going with the higher priced Elkas (which is known to work) is the way to go

In looking thru the installation instructions, the new Fox shocks seem to be only pre-load adjustable, I see no provision for damping adjustment.

 

[cuznjohn]

to be honest i would go with the tried and true elkas, for the 100 + i think they are worth it

 

[bluestratos]

I made the mistake of adding elkas before I installed the better sway bar (torque rod) on my 11. The shocks make for a stiffer ride but did not help cornering as I was told. I felt every pebble on the road and pot holes were bone shattering. For racing I like a stiff multi stage shock, for touring not so much. Since 99% of my riding is touring I just went with the sway bar this time on my 14 as the stock shocks are really pretty good. The shocks may look sexy and I will keep an eye out for a hydraulic shock that is of better quality some day but not at the sacrifice of comfort. So many better things to spend the money on....

 

[bluestratos]

I made the mistake of adding Elkas before I installed the better sway bar (torque rod) on my 11. The shocks make for a stiffer ride but did not help cornering as I was told. I felt every pebble on the road and pot holes were bone shattering. For racing I like a stiff multi stage shock, for touring not so much. Since 99% of my riding is touring I just went with the sway bar this time on my 14 as the stock shocks are really pretty good. The stock shocks may not look sexy and I will keep an eye out for a hydraulic shock that is of better quality some day but not at the sacrifice of comfort. So many better things to spend the money on....

 

[SPYD1]

Is it so that installing Elkas must be done professionally? Not just a bolt on item? Is this true with Fox as well?

 

[sddinnh]

My dealer gave me the installation instructions and they don't look too hard. 4 bolts to take out and 4 new ones to put in.

To be fair they do say "For safety reasons, this kit must be installed by an authorized BRP dealer"

 

[BajaRon]

Is it so that installing Elkas must be done professionally? Not just a bolt on item? Is this true with Fox as well?

Either shock system can be installed by the owner. I don't believe that the Fox shocks have adjustable valving. Only the spring Pre-Load is adjustable. Where the Elkas have adjustable valving (more adjustment options with the more expensive models). But even these can be owner adjusted if the correct information is applied and adjustments are made properly.

Still, it is probably a good idea for most to have the Elka's professionally installed so that at least you have accurate adjustments based on Elka research to give you a good baseline starting point to work with if further adjustment refinements are needed.

But if you don't know what you're doing I would recommend that you leave the valving adjustments alone. If you get these out of whack it can make for a bad ride. Some have even gotten the spring pre-load adjustment wrong (which is actually very simple and designed for owner adjustments).

The Fox are a decent shock and will definitely give you an upgrade over the stock, OEM RT version. But if the price is close I'd spend a bit more for the Elkas, which are definitely a superior product.

 

[bluestratos]

Easy swap out, I take the frunk off to make the install more enjoyable. Elka will sends the shocks custom made to you by weight and riding style. They ask a series of questions when you order. They also give you good advice on how to set the valving and instruction with the bike.

 

[Ben Burped]

Go with the Fox

I tried an RT with the Fox shocks and went back and bought a set. I put them on and started dragging over speed bumps. I took them back off and adjusted them all the way up and reinstalled them. I loved the ride but still had the sway in hard turns. Went with Ron's anti-sway bar to finish the project. I've got a wonderful ride and no sway in turns. My wife even picked up on the amazing difference from the stock shocks and sway bar. Definitely worth the price.

 

[gorchris1]

When i first bought my rt, it rode and handled like crap. Had to fight to make the slightest of turns. After riding my arms were jello. Installed Baja rons anti sway, then installed shock relocators, finished with Elka stage 5. Rides and handles like a charm now.

 

[ulflyer]

Just so it doesn't get lost in the clutter, here's what I found at the dealers this morning

My dealer quoted me $500 for the kit (plus installation) and the kit PN is 219400588 Personally, I now have to make up my mind if the difference in cost and the lack of downstream warranty issues is worth it or if going with the higher priced Elkas (which is known to work) is the way to go

In looking thru the installation instructions, the new Fox shocks seem to be only pre-load adjustable, I see no provision for damping adjustment.

If you want your shocks a bit stiffer, spend $20 for some rubber inserts and give that a try. I cut mine into wedges, four per shock, and it gave me what I wanted. The nice thing about cutting the inserts into small chunks is they are easy to put in, you can add more if you desire, or remove if you want.
I have some left over and will send you 8 wedges if you want to give them a try. Return if not satisfied.

If interested, PM your address.

 

[ABQSpyder]

Confused

So I'm confused. In your signature you say you have Elka's ?

 

[spacetiger]

Springs are what hold you up so you have to get them right. You can do some things to get the oem springs to offer more performance, but in the end, the spring rate doesn't change.

Extra spacers increases the preload but you can only get so thick of a spacer in there. On my 2012 I tried a spacer; it helped set the sag but could not help max load. I found I still was bottoming out.

The rubber wedges keep the spring from compressing between the coils they are wedged in between. That can help keep the bike from bottoming out (scraping the bottom of the chin of the bike), but the bike is still is in effect bottoming out as the wedges are simply reducing the amount the springs can compress. The use of rubber reduces (a bit) the impact you and the bike are going to experience every time you hit that new limit. You should know, since the wedges don't change the spring rates, you are going to "bottom out" a lot more often.

Its best to get your springs rates right. Either buy better after market shocks with better springs or change the springs like I did: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?60792-2012-RT-S-SE5-Front-Suspension

Jerry

 

[ThreeWheels]

I'm surprised by these posts

To each their own, and of course, my opinion is my very own and no one else's.
Having said that, I'm surprised at how many people feel the need to upgrade the suspension of their RT's.
The 2010 was a dog. It needed a lot of work to keep it from rolling around like a sailboat in a storm.
New shocks and the RonBar were essential, even for daily commuting.
But the 2014 RT............ Frankly, I think BRP hit a home run. I'm very happy with the stock suspension and I'm putting my mod money into lighting improvements.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

 

[mastertek2000]

My dealer gave me the installation instructions and they don't look too hard. 4 bolts to take out and 4 new ones to put in.

To be fair they do say "For safety reasons, this kit must be installed by an authorized BRP dealer"

if you need help you could all ways take a ride down here and i could help you i know when i had my 12 RS i had the fox shocks never needed the swaybar

 

[RudyB]

Re stage 5

When i first bought my rt, it rode and handled like crap. Had to fight to make the slightest of turns. After riding my arms were jello. Installed Baja rons anti sway, then installed shock relocators, finished with Elka stage 5. Rides and handles like a charm now.

I would assume the Elka stage 5 is for the back what is involved in the install on back do you have to remove the air bag or just disable it what is the part no and will it work on a 2014RTS Thanks

 

[KX5062]

I would assume the Elka stage 5 is for the back what is involved in the install on back do you have to remove the air bag or just disable it what is the part no and will it work on a 2014RTS Thanks

A couple of years ago I called Elka about their products. (I ended up buying the stage 2 fronts) When I spoke to the rep about the back shock he said the air bag remains in place and functional. The air bag acts as a spring assist and sets the ride height. I did not make the purchase, so I can't personally verify this information.

 

[Ktd1911]

To each their own, and of course, my opinion is my very own and no one else's.
Having said that, I'm surprised at how many people feel the need to upgrade the suspension of their RT's.
The 2010 was a dog. It needed a lot of work to keep it from rolling around like a sailboat in a storm.
New shocks and the RonBar were essential, even for daily commuting.
But the 2014 RT............ Frankly, I think BRP hit a home run. I'm very happy with the stock suspension and I'm putting my mod money into lighting improvements.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

I have an 2016 rt and found the elka shocks allowed me to ride more aggressive in the corners

 

[UtahPete]

To each their own, and of course, my opinion is my very own and no one else's.
Having said that, I'm surprised at how many people feel the need to upgrade the suspension of their RT's.
The 2010 was a dog. It needed a lot of work to keep it from rolling around like a sailboat in a storm.
New shocks and the RonBar were essential, even for daily commuting.
But the 2014 RT............ Frankly, I think BRP hit a home run. I'm very happy with the stock suspension and I'm putting my mod money into lighting improvements.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

:agree:

 

[ValleyRider]

New shocks or An-awy bar

I have an 2016 rt and found the elka shocks allowed me to ride more aggressive in the corners

WE recently rode in the Texas hills and I found the front end loose on some of the more challenging curves. My 2017 RTL does not have adjustable shocks.

In order to stiffen the front end should I replace the shocks with Elka stage 2 or Bajaron's anti-sway bar. Most of my ryding is on county and city roads. Some county roads in my area have some mild curves.