Santa came early and I got a set of Elka's !!

[3 Wheel Addict]

Santa's delivery team (FedEx) came today and delivered my set of Elka's! I got the 1+R front set with custom front spring rates. After opening the box all I can say is wow! These things are some nice looking units! According to the paperwork that came with them they are "preset" based on the info I provided and should be bolt-on ready. After drooling on them for an hour or so I had to get them on. So I went out and did some measuring to see it there is going to be any "ride height" gain. With the stock shocks I measured exactly 4 5/8 ground clearance from the bottom of the Spyderpops bump/skid plate. Took me about 45 min. to remove and replace both front shocks without removing anything to gain access, only needed a jack. With the new Elka's on and bouncing them a few times the front clearance is now 6 1/4 clearance. The Spyder don't look so "front heavy" now and has a better stance, only got to ride a short distance and already I'm glad I spent the money.... mucho better! Will get a few pics when I can get it out, raining now.........

 

[Chupaca]

Great news..!!

Do you know if Santa is coming here next..?? congrats..opcorn:opcorn: For the full review and pic's..enjoy.!!:thumbup:

 

[MrLooney]

LASER ALIGNMENT

Santa's delivery team (FedEx) came today and delivered my set of Elka's! I got the 1+R front set with custom front spring rates. After opening the box all I can say is wow! These things are some nice looking units! According to the paperwork that came with them they are "preset" based on the info I provided and should be bolt-on ready. After drooling on them for an hour or so I had to get them on. So I went out and did some measuring to see it there is going to be any "ride height" gain. With the stock shocks I measured exactly 4 5/8 ground clearance from the bottom of the Spyderpops bump/skid plate. Took me about 45 min. to remove and replace both front shocks without removing anything to gain access, only needed a jack. With the new Elka's on and bouncing them a few times the front clearance is now 6 1/4 clearance. The Spyder don't look so "front heavy" now and has a better stance, only got to ride a short distance and already I'm glad I spent the money.... mucho better! Will get a few pics when I can get it out, raining now.........

WOW that's quite the increase in ride height!!

There Goes your Front Wheel Alignment all out of WACK !!

Best to start looking for OUTLAW LASER ALIGNMENT Guys...

 

[CyncySpyder]

Congrats & Enjoy

:clap::yes:Teddy says Congrats on the UPgrade :yes::clap:
​

Also of note, not that I think you do much night ryding, but you'll want to adjust your headlights and lower the beam, otherwise you will most likely be blinding anyone driving in front of you as the angle will be higher, allowing the light to shine right into a cars rear view mirror :shocked: Small price to pay for such a great improvement in handling tho :thumbup:

WoW, I just learned something. Our 2011 RT-S has only one adjuster (1 for each side) for aiming the headlights, while your 2013 RT-S has 2 adjusters, one for Low Beam & a seperate one for High Beam ....... even tho its the same beam ...... ...... interesting

Headlights Aiming Adjustment​

1. Remove both middle side panels.Refer to the​

​

​

​

BODY PANELS in the​

EQUIPMENT​

​

​

​

subsection.2. To adjust headlight beam, turn theappropriate adjustment knob. Adjustevenly on both sides.​

​

RH SIDE SHOWN​

1. Adjustment knob "HB" (High beam)​

2. Adjustment knob "LB" (Low beam)

 

[SNOOPY]

Wow, wish Santa would swing by here. ray:


So w that much difference I guess one should wait to do a laser alignment til after doing such upgrades?

 

[NancysToy]

:clap::yes:Teddy says Congrats on the UPgrade :yes::clap:
​

Also of note, not that I think you do much night ryding, but you'll want to adjust your headlights and lower the beam, otherwise you will most likely be blinding anyone driving in front of you as the angle will be higher, allowing the light to shine right into a cars rear view mirror :shocked: Small price to pay for such a great improvement in handling tho :thumbup:

WoW, I just learned something. Our 2011 RT-S has only one adjuster (1 for each side) for aiming the headlights, while your 2013 RT-S has 2 adjusters, one for Low Beam & a seperate one for High Beam ....... even tho its the same beam ...... ...... interesting

Headlights Aiming Adjustment​

1. Remove both middle side panels.Refer to the​

BODY PANELS in the​

EQUIPMENT​

subsection.2. To adjust headlight beam, turn theappropriate adjustment knob. Adjustevenly on both sides.​

RH SIDE SHOWN​

1. Adjustment knob "HB" (High beam)​

2. Adjustment knob "LB" (Low beam)

Dave, the picture in the book (including the earlier manuals) shows two adjusters. They illustrate the non-North American model, which has separate high and low beams. We have a shutter low beam, so there is no separate adjustment.

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: You must have been better this year, than you thought... :thumbup:
Waiting on the ride report... :bbq::bbq::bbq:

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

WOW that's quite the increase in ride height!!

There Goes your Front Wheel Alignment all out of WACK !!

Best to start looking forOUTLAW LASER ALIGNMENT Guys...

You might think that but it seems to have changed everything for the better. The bike still rides and handles much better now and with a firmer ride and no more mushy front end. Could be that since the 13 RT's had a bunch of BAD shocks floating around maybe changing the front shocks actually helped with the alignment.