Review: Review of M2 Shocks

[RangerRick]

I have M2 shocks also, I have nothing but GOOD to say about Marcus and my M2 Shocks. :thumbup:hyea::2thumbs: Purchased around a year ago

 

[PMK]

I always say there's 3 sides to a story, your side, their side, and then we have the truth. So all I can say is that yours was the first bad thing I've heard about M2 Shocks and Marcus. Sorry yours wasn't so good, I've read so many good ones was the main reason I purchased them. I did have some issues with the shocks, had to replace them twice, but every time I talked to Marcus it was all good and very professional.

In your words of three sides to a story, we do have the truth. Truth is, for us, M2 missed the setup. When the suspension arrived the first time, and runs were made, the M2 setup was far from correct and became a wild ride down the dragstrip. The suspension was returned several times until a ridable, but not a confidence inspiring setup M2 finally delivered. From a rider perspective, it becomes difficult to race at 100% when each pass is eye opening in a bad way.

Consider too, regarding Spyders, and this is not a story of three, but rather proven chassis dynamics. M2 promotes running increased length front shocks. The downside to this on a Spyder with under 5” of wheel travel, is that the suspension movement bump steer becomes increased, which is not good. Also, increased shock length, increases the limits of chassis roll / lean, which on a Spyder is counterproductive to cornering forces. Add to this, if the Spyder ride height is increased, that is excellent for ground clearance, but sadly positions the suspension arms at less than optimum angles and moves the chassis roll center to a less optimum setting. In simple terms, compare a low slung sports car, capable of holding the road thru corners compared to a raised 4wd vehicle. Yes, each suspension company tends to run a firmer spring to help give that planted feel.

All the best with your M2 stuff. Seems concerning though that another Spyder owner needed several times back to M2 to get their Spyders, almost go kart simple suspension, set up. Again all the best with your stuff.

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

One of the reasons I chose Wilbers over M2 and Elkas was that if you search threads in this forum and others you will see a higher rate of M2's and Elkas that need rebuilds that are only a couple of years old and the cost of rebuilds are almost that of just buying new shocks.

The Wilbers don't seem to have as many of these type of reports associated with them. The main reason people don't go with wilbers are because of the cost.

I just went with paying more for something I personally feel will last me a longer time and get more bang for my buck or in this case more hours of riding time out of them.

 

[cmarsala]

M2

In your words of three sides to a story, we do have the truth. Truth is, for us, M2 missed the setup. When the suspension arrived the first time, and runs were made, the M2 setup was far from correct and became a wild ride down the dragstrip. The suspension was returned several times until a ridable, but not a confidence inspiring setup M2 finally delivered. From a rider perspective, it becomes difficult to race at 100% when each pass is eye opening in a bad way.

Consider too, regarding Spyders, and this is not a story of three, but rather proven chassis dynamics. M2 promotes running increased length front shocks. The downside to this on a Spyder with under 5” of wheel travel, is that the suspension movement bump steer becomes increased, which is not good. Also, increased shock length, increases the limits of chassis roll / lean, which on a Spyder is counterproductive to cornering forces. Add to this, if the Spyder ride height is increased, that is excellent for ground clearance, but sadly positions the suspension arms at less than optimum angles and moves the chassis roll center to a less optimum setting. In simple terms, compare a low slung sports car, capable of holding the road thru corners compared to a raised 4wd vehicle. Yes, each suspension company tends to run a firmer spring to help give that planted feel.

All the best with your M2 stuff. Seems concerning though that another Spyder owner needed several times back to M2 to get their Spyders, almost go kart simple suspension, set up. Again all the best with your stuff.

This isn't to continue the thread, you've made your point and others have left their opinions also. What I would love to see is this Spyder making a passes down the strip! If you can please post a few videos of it making a few passes, or a link? Thanks:yes::doorag:

 

[PMK]

This isn't to continue the thread, you've made your point and others have left their opinions also. What I would love to see is this Spyder making a passes down the strip! If you can please post a few videos of it making a few passes, or a link? Thanks:yes::doorag:

Unfortunately, in regards to a video of a Spyder making sub 10 second 1/4 mile dragstrip passes, I have not got that footage. My reference is in regards to a purpose built 1/4 mile race bike. Spyders, while they might get raced or make passes on a test and tune day, would need a huge horsepower and rear grip increase to get passes reasonably faster than 125 mph during a 1/4 mile pass. Almost a decade ago, I learned and accepted that Spyders are tourers and cruisers, not race bikes. Cool and fast enough for what they are, but essentially kind of heavy, lots of aerodynamic drag, and the 1330 is producing a fraction of the horsepower it could safely produce. This likely keeps things aligned with what Can Am designed Spyders for.

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

Lamonster accepts your challenge PMK and raises you a trailer in tow...:roflblack:

 

[Mikey]

Well come on, tell us what the outcome was!!!:roflblack: