amcvay1979
New member
Ok, so there's a separate air bag, not air shock?
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M2 or Elka- Worth the Money?
- Thread starter CapnPete
- Start date
trikermutha
New member
That's is correct Compressor is for the air bag. The shock has no air lines or any air needed.
SilverSurfer
RT-S PE#0391
My Elka Journey
Well, I've been following this long thread because I only recently became aware of M2. Up until about the first four months I owned my '15 Spyder RT-S, I was an Elka Fan. I still like Elkas, but I had to remove the Stage 1 fronts after four months because they were leaking. This occurred in the midst of other members of the club I lead also having new Elkas that began leaking. One of my member's set of Elkas let loose; as soon as he had the replacements, so followed his wife's bike; then mine. Maybe 2015 was a bad year. I sent my blown Elkas in to Impact solutions for e-build; in addition, I had Impact Solutions re-stroke an older Elka rear that was barely used on my previous 2010 RT-S, to fit my 2015. At the same time, to allay having to go back to (unsafe at any speed) Can Am stock front shocks during the Elka rebuild, I picked up a set of Fox RTs. The Fox RTs have remained on the Spyder since June of '15 and now I've crossed 21,000 miles on the bike ... the Fox RTs are bullet proof and they handle great. My re-stroked Elka Rear is hanging in. I sold my re-built Elka fronts (unused since the re-build) to another member of my club. Within a week: leaking.
Therefore, I'm very intrigued by what I'm hearing about the M2s, which could very well be my next choice when my current shocks become due, whenever that might be ... at least 10-15,000 miles into the future.
Well, I've been following this long thread because I only recently became aware of M2. Up until about the first four months I owned my '15 Spyder RT-S, I was an Elka Fan. I still like Elkas, but I had to remove the Stage 1 fronts after four months because they were leaking. This occurred in the midst of other members of the club I lead also having new Elkas that began leaking. One of my member's set of Elkas let loose; as soon as he had the replacements, so followed his wife's bike; then mine. Maybe 2015 was a bad year. I sent my blown Elkas in to Impact solutions for e-build; in addition, I had Impact Solutions re-stroke an older Elka rear that was barely used on my previous 2010 RT-S, to fit my 2015. At the same time, to allay having to go back to (unsafe at any speed) Can Am stock front shocks during the Elka rebuild, I picked up a set of Fox RTs. The Fox RTs have remained on the Spyder since June of '15 and now I've crossed 21,000 miles on the bike ... the Fox RTs are bullet proof and they handle great. My re-stroked Elka Rear is hanging in. I sold my re-built Elka fronts (unused since the re-build) to another member of my club. Within a week: leaking.
Therefore, I'm very intrigued by what I'm hearing about the M2s, which could very well be my next choice when my current shocks become due, whenever that might be ... at least 10-15,000 miles into the future.
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Fact of life, if there is a chance something will break it will. Elka is tried and true and are a leader in this industry bar none. Suspension is the backbone to to make or break your ride, to touring, sport, drag racing etc. If you are serious and what adjustability and worth every penny, Elka is your choice. If you are not too concerned and still want an amazing product M2. You get what you pay for. Remember cheap is expensive and expensive is cheap.
PMK
Active member
Elka is merely popular in segments where the big players do not bother with. If Ohlins offered Spyder shocks ELKA and others would cringe. If Fox was not offered as a BRP option, and was offering their highest end products for Spyders, ELKA would cringe. If Penske offered Spyder shocks, I think you get the idea.
In short, ELKA does well in a market with minimal competition.
For what its worth from this new b! I am new to the Spyder thing but not new to performance or racing. My personal experience with these 2 companies starts like this:
I looked around some Spyder sites for information, what I found was non conclusive for me. I found some warranty issues for Elka, not much for the M2s. I do like the red anodizing on the Elka shock as my Spyder is black with a little red trim. So I sent off an email to Elka as I was looking for a slight specification change for my preference. HMMMM, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, no response. Now it has been over a week! So after the 4th day I sent a similar e mail to M2, well Ill be darned if I didn't get a phone call the next morning from Marcus. I had advised him I was looking at the Elka shocks, and was looking for a slight specification modification. Marcus NEVER said a negative word about Elka! He gave me nothing but his time and expertise and agreed to a spec modification. What an awesome guy, and made in USA to boot!! I am sure if I ever do have an issue, it will be a non issue. I cant wait for them to arrive!
I looked around some Spyder sites for information, what I found was non conclusive for me. I found some warranty issues for Elka, not much for the M2s. I do like the red anodizing on the Elka shock as my Spyder is black with a little red trim. So I sent off an email to Elka as I was looking for a slight specification change for my preference. HMMMM, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, no response. Now it has been over a week! So after the 4th day I sent a similar e mail to M2, well Ill be darned if I didn't get a phone call the next morning from Marcus. I had advised him I was looking at the Elka shocks, and was looking for a slight specification modification. Marcus NEVER said a negative word about Elka! He gave me nothing but his time and expertise and agreed to a spec modification. What an awesome guy, and made in USA to boot!! I am sure if I ever do have an issue, it will be a non issue. I cant wait for them to arrive!
Skups
Member
I just talked to Marcus yesterday about my shocks. He was very apologetic that it has taken so long but his supplier, on certain parts ran out of stock and he's been waiting, i understand but patience isn't my strong suit. He told me the rear shock was built awhile ago, fronts are almost done and I should have them by the end of the week. You can tell he is very passionate and knowledgeable about his product. I don't feel I'll have a problem with the M2 shocks but if I do, i like the fact that if I call, someone will actually pick up the phone! Customer service is SO important in my opinion.
Hey Guys (and Girls),
This is Marcus from M2 Shocks. I want to apologize for the delays some of you experienced. We are growing so fast...we were worried about this, and this is the reason for the heavy discount...The only thing I will tell you is...WE WONT SEND ANYTHING OUT THAT WE DO NOT ABSOLUTELY KNOW IS 100% RIGHT. It is painful at times. We have had to dissemble shocks as many as 2-3 times as the "help we hire" is not great. I have been involved in the industry for decades now and you can never recover from "It wasn't sent out right". So my apologies.
In case you all were wondering...this was one of the many things that has been slowing us down. Installation video...I thought it would be a two hour job (I do all artwork and video editing) and it turned to be 4 days of 3 hours sessions. We are setting our foundation to be quicker and to improve everything about what we do!
Thank you so much for all that have supported us!
Install part one
Install part two
Install part three
Install part four
This is Marcus from M2 Shocks. I want to apologize for the delays some of you experienced. We are growing so fast...we were worried about this, and this is the reason for the heavy discount...The only thing I will tell you is...WE WONT SEND ANYTHING OUT THAT WE DO NOT ABSOLUTELY KNOW IS 100% RIGHT. It is painful at times. We have had to dissemble shocks as many as 2-3 times as the "help we hire" is not great. I have been involved in the industry for decades now and you can never recover from "It wasn't sent out right". So my apologies.
In case you all were wondering...this was one of the many things that has been slowing us down. Installation video...I thought it would be a two hour job (I do all artwork and video editing) and it turned to be 4 days of 3 hours sessions. We are setting our foundation to be quicker and to improve everything about what we do!
Thank you so much for all that have supported us!
Install part one
Install part two
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MSqpA6Da7A when you watch this video pay attention to what he says at about 6 minutes it will save you a ton of money.
trikermutha
New member
My 2014 front were not as easy to install and need wire ties to keep the shock compressed to remove and install (M2 install). Now this is just my experience and just wanted to let others know to make the job easier.
The Older RT's a offset wrench and 15 mm socket works well on the front and rear. The rear the compressor and lines are partial in the way. Using a long extension works well on the one side but the other needs a 15 MM offset wrench on the rear. Just makes it a lot easier to install when you are doing this yourself.
Just tested the rear shock on 2 up riding finally today and was a HUGE difference in the ride compared to stock. The compressor still has not kicked on yet single or two up riding..
The M2 shocks are worth the money. And I will say it again customer support is outstanding!
The Older RT's a offset wrench and 15 mm socket works well on the front and rear. The rear the compressor and lines are partial in the way. Using a long extension works well on the one side but the other needs a 15 MM offset wrench on the rear. Just makes it a lot easier to install when you are doing this yourself.
Just tested the rear shock on 2 up riding finally today and was a HUGE difference in the ride compared to stock. The compressor still has not kicked on yet single or two up riding..
The M2 shocks are worth the money. And I will say it again customer support is outstanding!
:trike:
Dennis in Lodi
Member
My F3 Limited has a full set of Elka shocks. My friend has a stock RT and didn't like the stiffness compared to his stock RT suspension. After a 1,000 mile trip, he came to appreciate and feel the difference. It's all about the bike staying planted when the suspension gets compressed and how it rebounds and stays true to holding it's line on the road. There is a trade off as the little things that the stock suspension absorbs quite well are felt more with the upgrade. But it's the big things that separate the stock over the upgrade.
Dennis
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