RT Steering/Handling - BIG Improvement

[Mad Matt]

Well my ELKA shocks came in yesterday and I installed them this morning. They made a BIG improvement in the wallowing issue. I am quite pleased. I know this kind of thing is very subjective, but being the engineer that I am, I am going to put some numbers to this. I am going to say it's at least an 80% improvement in the straight, and a 60% improvement in the turns. Normal cruising is now much more relaxing.

The shocks have a spring preload adjustment and a rebound damping adjustment which I have not played with yet so I may be able to optimize this even more.

The next upgrade I will make is the Evoluzione sway bar. I am hopeful this will improve the cornering even more.

I tested my RT under hard acceleration to shutting the throttle off to hard braking at 70 MPH in a big sweeper turn and I was able to control my line much better than before. Took a lot of the pucker factor away.

Mad Matt

 

[SpyderWolf]

:congrats:

So far that is Lamont and yourself stating the Elka shocks are a great improvement over the stock ones. Glad you found a set up you are happy with.

 

[Dwight]

Glad to hear that Matt, my Elka's are processing right now. Should have them soon. Ditto on the sway bar. I'm going to take mine to the dealers soon to check out the rear shock, I don't think it has any dappening at all, found a suspicious oil spot under it and couldn't find any leaks. Thinkin it may be from the shock.

Dwight

 

[upsdoctor]

Matt, what type did you get (1 way, 2way or 3 way)? Did you replace both front and rear?

 

[Mad Matt]

Matt, what type did you get (1 way, 2way or 3 way)? Did you replace both front and rear?

I started with the simplest (and least expensive) 1 way shocks. I have only replaced the fronts so far. Elka does not have a setup for the rear yet, they are still working on it.

Matt

 

[SpyderGirl]

Are there Elka shocks for the RS? I noticed since getting the DPS update mine also likes to "wallow". I thought about cranking up the front stock shocks to maximum and getting a sway bar... but maybe new shocks is what I need.... thoughts? Where to buy? How much? :chat:

 

[Mad Matt]

Are there Elka shocks for the RS? I noticed since getting the DPS update mine also likes to "wallow". I thought about cranking up the front stock shocks to maximum and getting a sway bar... but maybe new shocks is what I need.... thoughts? Where to buy? How much? :chat:

SpyderGirl,

Yes, the fronts are for the RS or RT (you must specify which model when ordering), and the rears are for the RS (they are still working on specs for the RT rears).

Elka Spyder Shocks

Matt

 

[SpyderGirl]

SpyderGirl,

Yes, they have all these shocks for the RS and the RT.

Elka Spyder Shocks

Matt

Thanks :2thumbs:

 

[fredace]

I too noticed a BIG improvement in handling when I installed Elkas on my RT-S.

I'm a big boy, so the shocks are set 3/4 to max preload.

 

[Donzo]

Are there Elka shocks for the RS? I noticed since getting the DPS update mine also likes to "wallow". I thought about cranking up the front stock shocks to maximum and getting a sway bar... but maybe new shocks is what I need.... thoughts? Where to buy? How much? :chat:

I have my front shocks on the highest setting and added the evo sway bar - huge difference in performance, very tight in the twisties:2thumbs:

 

[SpyderGirl]

I have my front shocks on the highest setting and added the evo sway bar - huge difference in performance, very tight in the twisties:2thumbs:

Sounds good, I am going to try that first. It's the least expensive option. :2thumbs:

 

[Mad Matt]

I will be adding the sway bar within the next week. I think together, these 2 upgrades will make a vast improvement. So far, so good.

Matt

 

[Mad Matt]

Glad to hear that Matt, my Elka's are processing right now. Should have them soon. Ditto on the sway bar. I'm going to take mine to the dealers soon to check out the rear shock, I don't think it has any dappening at all, found a suspicious oil spot under it and couldn't find any leaks. Thinkin it may be from the shock.

Dwight

Dwight,

Don't like the sound of that oil spot. I hope they replace your rear shock for you just to be sure. I know my dealer would if there was any question, they are pretty good to me.

Mad Matt

 

[SPIIDR]

Well my ELKA shocks came in yesterday and I installed them this morning. They made a BIG improvement in the wallowing issue. I am quite pleased. I know this kind of thing is very subjective, but being the engineer that I am, I am going to put some numbers to this. I am going to say it's at least an 80% improvement in the straight, and a 60% improvement in the turns. Normal cruising is now much more relaxing.

The shocks have a spring preload adjustment and a rebound damping adjustment which I have not played with yet so I may be able to optimize this even more.

The next upgrade I will make is the Evoluzione sway bar. I am hopeful this will improve the cornering even more.

I tested my RT under hard acceleration to shutting the throttle off to hard braking at 70 MPH in a big sweeper turn and I was able to control my line much better than before. Took a lot of the pucker factor away.

Mad Matt

Is the Sway bar available for the RT i am in Australia and i would like to order one could you please let me know

 

[NancysToy]

The sway bar is going to be the ticket for these machines. The coil over shocks are just helping out. YOu could get a pretty meaty sway bar and still have a nice plush ride. If you get to aggressive with shocks the ride is going to suffer some.

:agree:

 

[2Gunns]

Is the Sway bar available for the RT i am in Australia and i would like to order one could you please let me know

I'd be interested it that information as well

 

[8 Legged Freak]

Is the Sway bar available for the RT i am in Australia and i would like to order one could you please let me know

I spoke with Ken at Evo, http://evoluzione.net/, he stated that they were waiting on some minor supplies and finalization of the instructions. Should be on the market by his estimation in 30 days or so.:2thumbs:

The other Scotty
One of my mods to be!