Hey everybody! I have a little conundrum here. My prospective passenger weighs nearly double what I do. What functionality do I need in a shock that will allow me to both ride with 420lbs in two-up and 150lbs solo? I'm looking at Elkas, but have no idea what functionality is superfluous or exceedingly necessary for a good, versatile riding experience. Cost isn't really an issue, but I don't want to spend more than necessary. I'd appreciate some sage wisdom.
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F3 Base - Rear shock bottoms out (stationary) with my passenger onboard. I'm shock illiterate, what do I need in a shock?
- Thread starter Dayvin
- Start date
troop
Well-known member
In reality, you need a shock built to your specs with a hydraulic preload adjuster. If you have a shock set to your 420# two up rating, you'll be pummeled when riding solo. With a hydraulic preload adjuster, you can dial the preload up/down on each ride. Pricey, yes but it's about the only shock to fill your needs. If you're prior military or first responder, EPM performance gives 10% discount. Will still run about $1K and take a few weeks.
Yabbadabbadoo
Member
I put an Elka Stage 5 with hydraulic preload adjustment on my F3. But I weigh a little over 200 lbs and my passenger only weighs 150 lbs. I don't know if the preload can be set up for the kind of weight disparity range you're looking at. You'll need to talk to Elka. Otherwise, I suggest that the F3 base is not the right machine for you and you should consider trading up to an F3-T or RT.
Mikey
Well-known member
Well, first thing is your bike should not be bottoming out! If it is there's a good chance your air bag needs air, it may have a leak somewhere. It may be as simple as finding and fixing your leak! No where on your post or your avatar do you tell us what year of a F3 your riding, so maybe some of this is warranted. There should be a Shrader valve under your back seat, see what you have for air, if you ride two up a lot, I would say 65-75 psi would get you somewhere near a sweet spot, you may have to adjust. That would be where I would start first before you buy a shock, it may save you some money for now, but by all means changing your shock is a great idea, if that's blown out all so!
BajaRon
Well-known member
CloverHillCrawler
Active member
I have the base F3 and have installed Wilbers shocks combined with a BajaRon Sway bar and Quatrac tires, they are an amazing combo.
Outtomunch
Member
Agreed, it’s really about spring rate and having a spring that works within the range you need ie 150-420lbs (heavier if you factor in any luggage).
All preload is there to do is adjust and maintain ride height as long as the spring rate is correct for the weights carried. It won’t compensate for overloading a spring.
I’m not sure you’d get a spring that had such a wide range but could be wrong, ask a suspension specialist I guess.
Air shocks are possibly the only option as the air pressure is effectively your spring and air shocks can therefore have a wider range of spring rates (ie pressure).
Andres
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