Shock advice from Cowtown

[SpydherLuv]

Do Elka's require professional installation, or can someone who is mechanically inclined do it? Any special tools needed to do the install?

 

[Trooper]

Do Elka's require professional installation, or can someone who is mechanically inclined do it? Any special tools needed to do the install?

Anyone who is somewhat mechanically inclined can install them

1. Lift up the front of the Spyder with a jack so the wheels are barely touching the ground ( just to keep the vehicle balanced)

2. Unbolt the old shocks by removing the two upper and two lower bolts holding in the OEM shocks in. The upper left hand bolt is a little tricky to remove, but far from impossible.

3. Bolt in the new shocks ( springs down unlike the stock with springs up) using the stock bolts

4. Lower the Spyder and remove the jack.

5. Get on and ride.


Len from Cowtown and I installed a pair in 15 minutes at Spyderfest. ( Yes we know what we are doing but it should take you no longer than 45 minutes to do it yourself if you are mechanically inclined.)

 

[SpydherLuv]

Awesome! Thanks Trooper! Who should I contact for pricing info, you or Len?

 

[Trooper]

Awesome! Thanks Trooper! Who should I contact for pricing info, you or Len?

Please give Len a call. You cannot get better service from any Spyder dealer anywhere in North America.

1-800-258-6898

Regards,

John

 

[NancysToy]

Correct me if Im wrong. I believe I've read something about this.

RS riders are putting on the stock RT shocks.

Obviously not as good as Elka but what benefit is there to go to the RT shock.

Yes the RT shocks work well on an RS...but not as good as the Elkas. Both the 2010 and the 2011/2012 RT shocks have stiffer springs that the RS shocks. The 2010 has increased damping, and the 2011/2012 has even further increased damping. The damping is not adjustable, as on the Elkas, and the spring preload is adjustable only in five steps, not continuously like the Elkas, and not as much adjustment capability.

 

[rickm]

Took me about 1 1/2 hrs to change shocks.

 

[CanAmMick]

Got my Elka's earlier this week, but didn't have time to install them. Tonight after work I decided to give it a try. Took less than 30 minutes. Wife and I decided to give it a test ride, so put on some warm weather gear and headed out the door at about 44f. Went for about a 25 mile ride through town and then down the interstate. It's like riding a complete different machine. No side to side movement when going down the interstate and it corners so much better than stock. Can't wait till I get to try it out on the parkway so I can really see what they can handle.

Thanks Len! I'll be calling you pretty soon for some other things that I need for my Spyder...

 

[rickm]

Can Am Mick, I know the feeling, it's something. I wish I lived by the Parkway, it sounds like a nice ride.

 

[Questions]

2011 rt shocks

To put the 2011 rt shocks, on a 2009 RS do you have the use the whole shock assembly or just the springs? If just the springs,, are there any other parts needed to install on the rs shock? :spyder2:

 

[CanAmMick]

Can Am Mick, I know the feeling, it's something. I wish I lived by the Parkway, it sounds like a nice ride.

If you ever get a chance to get up this way please let me know. It's about a 30 minutes from from the house. Have plenty of room if you need a place to stay...... Plus there are a lot of other areas to ride that are just as nice....

 

[pitbull]

Got my Elka's earlier this week, but didn't have time to install them. Tonight after work I decided to give it a try. Took less than 30 minutes. Wife and I decided to give it a test ride, so put on some warm weather gear and headed out the door at about 44f. Went for about a 25 mile ride through town and then down the interstate. It's like riding a complete different machine. No side to side movement when going down the interstate and it corners so much better than stock. Can't wait till I get to try it out on the parkway so I can really see what they can handle.

Thanks Len! I'll be calling you pretty soon for some other things that I need for my Spyder...

Thanks man, I just so hate all these unhappy Elka Spyder riders!! Lol no honestly I couldn't agree more 10 or 11 rts all benefit greatly from making the switch. Glad you guys are happy in the words of trooper makes me smile!!! Thanks again guys! And Welcome to the world of never being happy with stock suspension again lol

 

[NancysToy]

To put the 2011 rt shocks, on a 2009 RS do you have the use the whole shock assembly or just the springs? If just the springs,, are there any other parts needed to install on the rs shock? :spyder2:

Use the whole assembly. The damping is better and the springs are stiffer. The 2011 shocks also have improved adjusters.