• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Shock re-locators

DriftersWay

DriftersWay

New member
Hello All, I am still new to the site and have done a lot of reading and received a lot of GREAT info. I have seen post on here about shock re-locators. What is the added benefit for this upgrade. Thanks for the info.
 
Roger is 100% correct. :thumbup:
Since you've got a 2012...
You could add the relocators; in conjunction with some premium shocks and perhaps BajaRon's Anti-SwayBar; your bike would feel like a brand new machine! :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
When upgrading the front suspension, my opinion is you get more bang for your buck by putting in the BajaRon swaybar and links.
If still not satisfied with the ride, for bikes earlier than 2013. The relocator kit emulates the 2013 design in older bikes.
Last is Elka shocks. Very pricey, but quite good.

It's an iphone/galaxy kind of thing.
When the spyders first came out, Elka shocks were the one and only suspension upgrade available, and they seem to do a great job at a fairly high cost.
Since then, other options, such as the RonBar and the shock relocator kits have become available.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.
 
ThreeWheels said:
When upgrading the front suspension, my opinion is you get more bang for your buck by putting in the BajaRon swaybar and links.
If still not satisfied with the ride, for bikes earlier than 2013. The relocator kit emulates the 2013 design in older bikes.
Last is Elka shocks. Very pricey, but quite good.

It's an iphone/galaxy kind of thing.
When the spyders first came out, Elka shocks were the one and only suspension upgrade available, and they seem to do a great job at a fairly high cost.
Since then, other options, such as the RonBar and the shock relocator kits have become available.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info And the guarantee:roflblack:
 
ThreeWheels said:
When upgrading the front suspension, my opinion is you get more bang for your buck by putting in the BajaRon swaybar and links.
If still not satisfied with the ride, for bikes earlier than 2013. The relocator kit emulates the 2013 design in older bikes.
Last is Elka shocks. Very pricey, but quite good.
Click to expand...
:agree: Well-put! :thumbup:

BajaRon's end-links won't improve the hangling; they'll improve the quality of the part up underneath the front of your bike...
Some 2013s got their links from a bad batch, so there have been reports of them snapping...
I lost one on my 2010 due to an impact; but it was a GOOD impact! :opps:

Ron's won't snap!
 
Rattigan_Roger said:
Welcome.

The shock relocators emulate the higher placement of the shocks found on 2013 models.
If you have a 2013 model they will not do you any good.

I think the main benefit comes from using them in conjunction with premium shocks like Elkas.
They allow you to set the Elkas for a smoother ride while maintaining superior control.

Without the relocators the same amount of flat cornering comes at the cost of a stiffer ride.
Click to expand...

May I offer just 1 small correction. Giving credit where credit is due, the 2013 Spyder shock location emulates what Len (and others) at Pit Bull Powersports came up with in his Shock Relocators. They say imitation is the purest form of flattery! :thumbup:
 
My suggestion is to ride your Spyder first, then decide if you need suspension improvements, and what you need and what you can afford. The various suspension mods mentioned are good ones, but you may or may not need performance improvements for the way you ride, and you may not need the particular improvements that one or more of the mods provides. See what you think you need. First, adjust your existing suspension (for 2012 and earlier) to obtain the kind of ride and cornering performance you want. If that is not sufficient for your needs, make one mod at a time, and evaluate each change. I'd suggest the BajaRon swaybar as the first modification, as excessive body roll, even with the front spring preload set high, seems to be the biggest worry for most riders. One thing to remember, every modification is a trade-off...some more than others. That is especially true for the aftermarket shocks. Firmer suspension in the corners means a less cushy ride on the bumps. A slow and studied approach to suspension modifications is always the best way to achieve the changes you want, IMO. Don't make changes just because "everybody else is doing it".
 
NancysToy said:
My suggestion is to ride your Spyder first, then decide if you need suspension improvements, and what you need and what you can afford. The various suspension mods mentioned are good ones, but you may or may not need performance improvements for the way you ride, and you may not need the particular improvements that one or more of the mods provides. See what you think you need. First, adjust your existing suspension (for 2012 and earlier) to obtain the kind of ride and cornering performance you want. If that is not sufficient for your needs, make one mod at a time, and evaluate each change. I'd suggest the BajaRon swaybar as the first modification, as excessive body roll, even with the front spring preload set high, seems to be the biggest worry for most riders. One thing to remember, every modification is a trade-off...some more than others. That is especially true for the aftermarket shocks. Firmer suspension in the corners means a less cushy ride on the bumps. A slow and studied approach to suspension modifications is always the best way to achieve the changes you want, IMO. Don't make changes just because "everybody else is doing it".
Click to expand...
Man I sure do love your answers. And that is just the approach I am taking. Body roll is my main concern. I have the BajaRon swaybar waiting for his Hiem links for added safety. I just didn't know the purpose of the shock relocaters. Thanks so much for your reply. Ride safe
 
DriftersWay said:
Man I sure do love your answers. And that is just the approach I am taking. Body roll is my main concern. I have the BajaRon swaybar waiting for his Hiem links for added safety. I just didn't know the purpose of the shock relocaters. Thanks so much for your reply. Ride safe
Click to expand...
The shock relocators change the angle of the shocks. By being at a smaller angle to the road forces, the shocks, in effect, become "stronger". The springs and damping both have less forces to act upon, so they act like stronger springs/more damping. Adding Elkas or other aftermarket shocks on to of that maginifies those effects. Ther relocators will help your spings/shocks to resist the body roll...but they will also stiifen the ride on bumps just like stronger springs/more preload and additional damping. The swaybar mostly works only in resisting body roll. It does stiffen things a bit if only one wheel is compressed on a pothole or something, but most of the time it is not affected by bumps, so doesn't alter the ride as much as other modifications. I was able to reduce my spring preload by adding the BajaRon bar alone
 
Last edited:
I have a 2012 also and After having Elka,s and the Ronbar I went back to the stock shocks on #4 with the RonBar?
I drive aggressively and this is all I need. As far as the new hinges- I,m sure there great BUT hardly anyone had any problem with the Stock 2012 links so I will wait on that Mod? :dontknow:

The link problem appears to be a 2013 issue with the certain stamped #???
 
Sarge707 said:
I have a 2012 also and After having Elka,s and the Ronbar I went back to the stock shocks on #4 with the RonBar?
I drive aggressively and this is all I need. As far as the new hinges- I,m sure there great BUT hardly anyone had any problem with the Stock 2012 links so I will wait on that Mod? :dontknow:

The link problem appears to be a 2013 issue with the certain stamped #???
Click to expand...

You are right about the links as Ron pointed out to me. But since I am going to but the bar on for the money and knowing I have the best is worth the cost.
 
My relocator brackets are on their way...
When I got my Elka's; the compressed and inststalled spring length was 8.75". I took three turns worth of preload out of them to set the length at 9".
With those brackets in place; I'm betting that at least another three turns can be removed...
You're right about having Ron's links; knowing that you've got the best IS worth the cost. :thumbup:
 
Alignment of the tires?

NancysToy said:
The shock relocators change the angle of the shocks. By being at a smaller angle to the road forces, the shocks, in effect, become "stronger". The springs and damping both have less forces to act upon, so they act like stronger springs/more damping. Adding Elkas or other aftermarket shocks on to of that maginifies those effects. Ther relocators will help your spings/shocks to resist the body roll...but they will also stiifen the ride on bumps just like stronger springs/more preload and additional damping. The swaybar mostly works only in resisting body roll. It does stiffen things a bit if only one wheel is compressed on a pothole or something, but most of the time it is not affected by bumps, so doesn't alter the ride as much as other modifications. I was able to reduce my spring preload by adding the BajaRon bar alone
Click to expand...

Do the relocators have any effect on the alignment of the tires? I too have ordered the RonBar after stiffening the shocks. Stiffening the shocks made a big improvement, and I am hoping the RonBar is all I need to do now.
 
Blue Star said:
Do the relocators have any effect on the alignment of the tires? I too have ordered the RonBar after stiffening the shocks. Stiffening the shocks made a big improvement, and I am hoping the RonBar is all I need to do now.
Click to expand...

Anything that changes your ride height will affect your alignment. A little change will not make much difference. But the more the ride height is changed the more your alignment will be affected. If you're not going to have your Spyder realigned it is best to stick with the factory ride height.

Another point that many do not consider is that stiffening up the front suspension and lifting the ride height also raises the center of gravity making the Spyder want to lean more in turns and cross winds, etc.

What you really want is better suspension/control/handling without changing the ride height significantly or making the ride harsh.

The purpose of the shock relocators is to give your shocks more leverage against the suspension without altering the ride height. They will effectively raise your spring rate and you can usually back off on the pre-load a bit. Experimenting will give you a better idea of what works for you.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
2018 Spyder RT Ltd - any ideas on Rear Shock Replacement?
Replies
5
Views
596
racoon
racoon
troop
Any tips on removing all left side panels on 2020+ RT, especially the large panel?
Replies
4
Views
488
RayBJ
RayBJ
WisconsinDavid
Is there a Key Blank available for 2014+ Spyders?
Replies
10
Views
371
Snoking1127
Snoking1127
A
  • Locked
BRP Connect App
Replies
1
Views
205
Peter Aawen
Peter Aawen
Martin Slovakia
Xmas Gift Idea
Replies
0
Views
292
Martin Slovakia
Martin Slovakia
Back
Top