Elka shocks for 2012 Spyder RT?

[pikelakejohn]

I’m curious if owners of 2012 Spyder RTs who replaced the original shocks with Elkas notice a difference significant enough to justify the cost.
For the first 600 miles before I advanced the #3 shock setting from the dealer to #5, having read the rave reviews of Elka’s by many Spyderlovers, I intended to install Elkas. But I postponed after experiencing much better cornering, higher front end stance, and firmer handling that resulted from setting #5 .
After spydering 16,000 miles since May, ‘12, I still wonder if adding Elka shocks is worth the cost. Also, will replacing the original air adjusted rear shock with an Elka significantly increase a solo rider’s comfort, reduce/eliminate road shock?

Responses from ’12 Spyder RT owners with Elka shocks and Baha Ron’s sway bar are appreciated. Thanks. john

 

[cjackg]

My answer is ---YES---- 2012 RT Ltd with Elkas, front & rear, and BajaRon Swaybar. :thumbup:

 

[Sarge707]

I have the 2012 RT and have ridden With Elka,s and Ron Bar and currently run with the stock shocks on #4 with the RonBar and Love It!!
The Elka,s are Not Really needed in my opinion?

 

[Trickie Dick]

I also have a 2012 RTS with the Elkas and Ron's sway bar. I think they improve the handling . Are they necessary? Of course not. Neither are sway bars, highway pegs, running boards, custom seats etc., etc..... Do they make for a better ride. Yes they do.

 

[ulflyer]

I know you ask '12 owners, but my '11 has both; the Elka's came first as Ron Bars wern't out yet. They do help some, but the biggest improvement was Ron Bars. I'd suggest go with the bars first and you might well decide you don't need Elka's

 

[Bob Denman]

You might want to try BajaRon's anti-SwayBar first... that'll provide an improvement in how the bike feels in the corners for quite a bit less than a set of Elkas...
(I've got both on my 2010...)

 

[flybuddy]

I agree with Bob...Try the sway bar first. I'd also add the shock extenders and it would still be cheaper than the Elkas as well as do more for your ride. After that, crank your stock shocks to 5 and see what it's like. I've got all 3 on my 12 RT and I like the Elkas, it's just that they were the only suspension mod back when I first bought and I saw more ride improvement with the other two.

 

[jthornton]

I put the Elkas on after the BajaRon sway bar and the Pittbull shock relocators and I found an improvement with each one. My buddy rides with none of the above and likes it... only you can say if it is worth it to you. For ME it was worth the cost.

JT