F3 Limited Rear Shock

[GaryinWI]

Does anyone know of a heavier duty rear shock for an F3 Limited? It has the automatic air adjustable now. An air bag that goes to higher pressure possibly??

 

[AY4B]

I dont know of any reason to downgrade from a computer controlled air ride to anything else. You can upgrade your front shocks to Elkas is the only option I know of.

 

[GaryinWI]

I dont know of any reason to downgrade from a computer controlled air ride to anything else. You can upgrade your front shocks to Elkas is the only option I know of.

I do not want to downgrade. I want to upgrade for higher weight handling and equal or better performance.

 

[Blue Star]

I do not want to downgrade. I want to upgrade for higher weight handling and equal or better performance.

I might be wrong, and I am sure I will be corrected if I am, but the rear shock and the air bag are separate component's. To improve the rear shock there are many options. I used Elka shocks all around, and happy with them.

 

[KX5062]

I dont know of any reason to downgrade from a computer controlled air ride to anything else. You can upgrade your front shocks to Elkas is the only option I know of.

What is this computer control you speak of?

As far as I know the air ride for all Spyders are a spring assist system, and as such are only adjustable for (essentially) ride height by controlling how much air is in the bladder. The suspension itself is a sealed non-adjustable unit. It can't be adjusted for compression or rebound like the high end Elka's or Fox shocks. To my knowledge, the stock OEM shocks front and rear are rather simple and rather primitive suspension components.

Can Am is no different than any other manufacturer in this regard, so my observations are not criticisms. :ani29:

To the OP: there are very limited options for changing the rear shock. I would suggest researching a spring rate calculator program. There are several companies who specialize in manufacturing custom springs for vehicles. You could/can remove the rear shock, which has a spring and airbag, and replace the spring with a higher rated spring that is appropriate for the load.

 

[AY4B]

I might be wrong, and I am sure I will be corrected if I am, but the rear shock and the air bag are separate component's. To improve the rear shock there are many options. I used Elka shocks all around, and happy with them.

All I know is that the limited comes with....

Rear Shock Type / Travel SACHS† shock with automatic air preload adjustment / 5.2 in. (132 mm)
https://can-am.brp.com/spyder/2018-models/cruiser-touring/spyder-f3-limited.html

I do not know more than that. I assume if it is automatic leveling, there is some sort of that controls it. The nanny seems to control everything else.
None of the other F3 models come with this feature.

 

[Highwayman2013]

All I know is that the limited comes with....

Rear Shock Type / Travel SACHS† shock with automatic air preload adjustment / 5.2 in. (132 mm)
https://can-am.brp.com/spyder/2018-models/cruiser-touring/spyder-f3-limited.html

I do not know more than that. I assume if it is automatic leveling, there is some sort of that controls it. The nanny seems to control everything else.
None of the other F3 models come with this feature.

We have a 2016 F3L and it didn’t come with the auto system. I think he just needs an upgraded shock with a heavier spring.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Does anyone know of a heavier duty rear shock for an F3 Limited? It has the automatic air adjustable now. An air bag that goes to higher pressure possibly??

Elka Shocks come to mind. https://us.elkasuspension.com/produ...r-can-am-spyder-f3-t-f3-touring-2016-to-2017/

 

[KX5062]

All I know is that the limited comes with....

Rear Shock Type / Travel SACHS† shock with automatic air preload adjustment / 5.2 in. (132 mm)
https://can-am.brp.com/spyder/2018-models/cruiser-touring/spyder-f3-limited.html

I do not know more than that. I assume if it is automatic leveling, there is some sort of that controls it. The nanny seems to control everything else.
None of the other F3 models come with this feature.

Okay. I was being too literal. Sorry. :cheers:

I'm used to the motorcycle world where the newer technology is that the shocks and forks are indeed computer controlled. They have sensors that detect movements and then adjust on-the-fly. The compression, rebound, and ride height is all controlled by the central computer so that the ride is consistent and constant over a variety of conditions and road speeds.

 

[Dennis in Lodi]

What year limited???

I have a 2016 F3 limited that is a manual fill air bag. There was a change over to the RT self filling style after my year?
I put a stage 4 Elka in back. It took about an hour to switch it out. Bar far, the front Elka stage 2 shocks made the biggest improvement. The stage 4 rear has a remote high speed adjustment damper. Elka reps told me to turn in 15 clicks when I have a passenger as a starting point for two up extra load demands. I have not had a single road bump bottom out the rear Elka. The stock rear shock sometimes slammed me with a big hit when solo and a lot more often when riding two up.
My friend on an F3S got the BRB upgrade??
Either way, it's a big investment that was hard to swallow. but the total transformation in control and comfort is now worth the price.
Dennis
p.s. today I'm going to deflate the air bag and ride just on the Elka rear. I'll update later

Does anyone know of a heavier duty rear shock for an F3 Limited? It has the automatic air adjustable now. An air bag that goes to higher pressure possibly??

 

[spacetiger]

To the OP: there are very limited options for changing the rear shock. I would suggest researching a spring rate calculator program. There are several companies who specialize in manufacturing custom springs for vehicles. You could/can remove the rear shock, which has a spring and airbag, and replace the spring with a higher rated spring that is appropriate for the load.

Just change the spring on the shock to gain more capacity. The damping of the shock may not be optimal but is acceptable. A quality spring can be had for less than $100.

Jerry

 

[Peteoz]

Listen to Dennis, above.... Upgrade your stock shock to an Elka or Wilbers, with rebound aduster. They are matched to your weight. You can go the whole hog and get compression damping and rebound damping, and you will have a magnificent ride. I know I do, with my Wilbers.....and yes....the airbag is a separate item from the shock.

Pete

 

[Peteoz]

Either way, it's a big investment that was hard to swallow. but the total transformation in control and comfort is now worth the price.
Dennis
p.s. today I'm going to deflate the air bag and ride just on the Elka rear. I'll update later

I look forward to your feedback on that, Dennis.....I was thinking of doing the same.
Pete

 

[SpdrDvr]

F3 Shock options

I have a 2016 F3 limited that is a manual fill air bag. There was a change over to the RT self filling style after my year?
I put a stage 4 Elka in back. It took about an hour to switch it out. Bar far, the front Elka stage 2 shocks made the biggest improvement. The stage 4 rear has a remote high speed adjustment damper. Elka reps told me to turn in 15 clicks when I have a passenger as a starting point for two up extra load demands. I have not had a single road bump bottom out the rear Elka. The stock rear shock sometimes slammed me with a big hit when solo and a lot more often when riding two up.
My friend on an F3S got the BRB upgrade??
Either way, it's a big investment that was hard to swallow. but the total transformation in control and comfort is now worth the price.
Dennis
p.s. today I'm going to deflate the air bag and ride just on the Elka rear. I'll update later

I am reading these posts with great interest. I left Va. Beach three weeks ago with 620 miles on my 2018 F3 limited. There are 6100 miles on it now and I really want info on improving the front shock performance. With it loaded and towing a trailer the front dips down excessivly when braking. Can I modify the stock shocks with anything to help? From what I've read I may want to upgrade the back shock but can't afford that just yet. Thanks in advance for your sharing and suggestions.

John

 

[Peteoz]

I am reading these posts with great interest. I left Va. Beach three weeks ago with 620 miles on my 2018 F3 limited. There are 6100 miles on it now and I really want info on improving the front shock performance. With it loaded and towing a trailer the front dips down excessivly when braking. Can I modify the stock shocks with anything to help? From what I've read I may want to upgrade the back shock but can't afford that just yet. Thanks in advance for your sharing and suggestions.

John

John, have a look at these shock adjusters from BajaRon. Lots of people swear by them. I can’t comment as I replaced my fronts and rears with Wilbers.
Pete
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-ADJUSTER-s&highlight=Bajaron+shock+adjusters

 

[GaryinWI]

BajaRon Sway Bar

I am reading these posts with great interest. I left Va. Beach three weeks ago with 620 miles on my 2018 F3 limited. There are 6100 miles on it now and I really want info on improving the front shock performance. With it loaded and towing a trailer the front dips down excessivly when braking. Can I modify the stock shocks with anything to help? From what I've read I may want to upgrade the back shock but can't afford that just yet. Thanks in advance for your sharing and suggestions.

John

I just upgraded to a BajaRon Performance Sway Bar on my 17 F3L. Hugh improvement in front end stability. Corners much flatter. Can drift around corners if you push it. Best $280 i’ve Spent on my Spyder.