Elka Rear ShockFaulty Out Of The Box - so I just have to wait, and wait, and wait...

[Trevor G]

Elka Rear Shock Faulty Out Of The Box - so I waited, and eventually

Sometimes things don't work as they should.

Ordered an Elka rear shock with hydraulic preload for the F3 over the phone on Wednesday two weeks ago.

For some reason it was only sent on the following Monday, after I phoned up on the Friday to ask for a tracking number.

When it arrived last Thursday night at 8pm there was oil around the bottom spring mounting and the hydraulic preload was not working. More oil leaked out as I tried adjusting the preload.

Phoned supplier Friday and Saturday. Phoned supplier today - still no result.

Contacted Elka - no result there, either!

I miss the consumer protection we have (I had) in Australia. Consumer protection is evidently non-existent in the US, and many components from name players such as Corbin and Rivco are produced, in the US, to third world standards. (I speak from experience.)

Since 2011 Australians have the right to take a product back years down the track if they can show it did not meet their expectations. Everything sold by a retailer has 12 months warranty against manufacturing defects. Everything must be fit for sale, and meet reasonable performance expectations, and so on. If you are supplied a faulty component you can expect and demand a full refund - the supplier has no right to repair or replace if the customer chooses a refund, and so on.

On the other hand, I love to go fast, and I can do ten over on city streets and highways in Arizona (parts of New Mexico and most of Texas, I believe) with impunity. As a recent resident I confirmed that with some cops one day as they left the same restaurant we were eating in. Even around town in 25mph zones. Try that in Australia and even 10kmh (6mph) over can cost you $500 or more!

So I just have to wait, and wait, and wait, it seems.

 

[JayBros]

Many more customers up at this end of the big pond. Suggest a little patience.

 

[spydaman60]

I am sure elka will take care of you!!:2thumbs: negativity is not a great way to start though. they are a very reputable company and a sponsor of the site.

 

[Trevor G]

Many more customers up at this end of the big pond. Suggest a little patience.

Maybe that's what it is - individual customers don't deserve attention, unless they are close to the supplier? Or the manufacturer?

Otherwise I am not sure what pond you are referring to. I'm in Arizona - are we supposed to get bad service because we can ride in winter?? ;-)

How long do you think it should take to arrange either a pick-up, or send out another properly working unit? This one is unused in every way, not even installed!

 

[Trevor G]

I am sure elka will take care of you!! Negativity is not a great way to start though. they are a very reputable company and a sponsor of the site.

But when?

I hadn't even installed the things. They were faulty out of the bubble wrap. ;-)

At least Corbin responded immediately when I said I was not happy with the new seat. They arranged an immediate pick-up so that it could be remanufactured. (That was a big contrast to my previous experience with them, though.)

I don't think site sponsorship should ever be used to excuse poor service...you would think they would work harder!

 

[ABQSpyder]

Good luck I had a terrible experience with John at ELKA. I bet if you went to Spyderfest he'd be so pleasant which he is till he crosses the border. Face to face great over phone totally different attitude.

 

[JayBros]

Maybe that's what it is - individual customers don't deserve attention, unless they are close to the supplier? Or the manufacturer?

Otherwise I am not sure what pond you are referring to. I'm in Arizona - are we supposed to get bad service because we can ride in winter?? ;-)

My embarrased apology. I didn't read second line of your address; thought you were down under. I would submit though that a company trying for real satisfying customer service across the board works its queue totally independent of individual locations. I have no experience with Elka so can't specifically comment on them.

 

[Trevor G]

Good luck I had a terrible experience with John at ELKA. I bet if you went to Spyderfest he'd be so pleasant which he is till he crosses the border. Face to face great over phone totally different attitude.

I just left a polite message because I could find no way to speak to a person. No response, and it's the end of the day and still no response from the dealer/supplier either.

It's about time I learn patience... ;-)

 

[PMK]

I won't touch the Elka issues you mention except in regards to hydraulic preload.

Hydraulic preload is kind of cool and has it's place.

Unless you ride a lot of various configurations of passenger or baggage, I would go without it. I base this on 40 years of rebuilding moto suspension. It is cool, just not always needed for everyone, and as you have found out, failure blows the oil out.

It the failure occurs while riding and sprays the machine, it will get on the exhaust and rear brakes.

Not telling you what to do, simply offering a different perspective and have no personal interest in this.

I still say it is a shame Ohlins is not ready to deliver products for the Spyders. They tell me it may happen, but the time frame is not defined.

All the best with it.

 

[Trevor G]

I won't touch the Elka issues you mention except in regards to hydraulic preload.

Hydraulic preload is kind of cool and has it's place.

Unless you ride a lot of various configurations of passenger or baggage, I would go without it. I base this on 40 years of rebuilding moto suspension. It is cool, just not always needed for everyone, and as you have found out, failure blows the oil out.

It the failure occurs while riding and sprays the machine, it will get on the exhaust and rear brakes.

Not telling you what to do, simply offering a different perspective and have no personal interest in this.
t.

I think you are right, but it's probably too late now.

I have a feeling that this will be an ongoing saga for Elka with remotes, or for the customers who have to put up with lousy service.

In comparison the front Elkas on our RS have been great and trouble-free.

Anyway, the supplier has agreed to send a new one, and I will send a photo of the one I received to show that it has never been mounted.

 

[Trevor G]

Anyway, the supplier has agreed to send a new one, and I will send a photo of the one I received to show that it has never been mounted.

The new shock (courtesy of the supplier) turned up Saturday morning but with Bike Week in full swing just down the road from us I didn't have time to install it. Instead, went test riding some new 2 wheelers and the Slingshot. ;-)

Not sure why they sell so many Slingshots - they are definitely much slower than an F3 and very much like a slow car. Maybe it's the ability to turn off ESP and light up the back tyre?

 

[Michaelscs]

Not sure why they sell so many Slingshots - they are definitely much slower than an F3 and very much like a slow car. Maybe it's the ability to turn off ESP and light up the back tyre?

That was my 1st impression of the Slingshot too, but it's all about RPM like the 998!
My son is an engineer for Polaris and he's had one at my house for the weekend. I've had a change to put quite a few miles on a Slingshot. The power is there, you just need to wind it out. It's actually quite a thrill ride, especially in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing. My son took me for a ride where we were drifting though corners and accelerating hard out of corners; it'll set you back! It is very much an awesome handling sports car, not a motorcycle.