Should I get new shocks (Elkas) for my 2009 GS SE5?

[SpyderSue]

Okay, so I've had my Spyder for a year. 2009 GS SE5. Love it! I live and ride in the mountains of Colorado, and am going on a 3 week trip this summer to Salem Oregon and then back through Banff, Jasper, Yellowstone etc.

I was timid at 1st in the corners, but am getting more and more comfortable. I'm not a rocket-butt by ANY stretch of the imagination, and normally like to take roads at speed limit or 5 up (much to the dismay of my rocket-butt boyfriend with the BMWs). But I digress.

How would I benefit from good shocks and possibly a sway bar? All the suspension is stock right now. Is it really worth the $1200 plus? The Spyder currently has 12k miles on it, 9k of which I put on in less than a year. I've got the current shocks set at 4 out of 5.

I did search for a thread for this, but saw mostly RT discussions - but even then, everyone seems to rave about the better shocks. Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[coz]

Okay, so I've had my Spyder for a year. 2009 GS SE5. Love it! I live and ride in the mountains of Colorado, and am going on a 3 week trip this summer to Salem Oregon and then back through Banff, Jasper, Yellowstone etc.

I was timid at 1st in the corners, but am getting more and more comfortable. I'm not a rocket-butt by ANY stretch of the imagination, and normally like to take roads at speed limit or 5 up (much to the dismay of my rocket-butt boyfriend with the BMWs). But I digress.

How would I benefit from good shocks and possibly a sway bar? All the suspension is stock right now. Is it really worth the $1200 plus? The Spyder currently has 12k miles on it, 9k of which I put on in less than a year. I've got the current shocks set at 4 out of 5.

I did search for a thread for this, but saw mostly RT discussions - but even then, everyone seems to rave about the better shocks. Thanks in advance for your advice.

hey sue, try setting your shocks on five, and add the ronbar. then re-evaluate, before spending BIG. that might be all you need.:thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

hey sue, try setting your shocks on five, and add the ronbar. then re-evaluate, before spending BIG. that might be all you need.:thumbup:

:agree:

 

[SpyderSue]

:agree:

I have to admit I like the idea of wearing out the old ones 1st. How many miles can you expect to get on the stock shocks?

 

[docdoru]

A picture is worth a thousand words (8 months on my Silver Dream 2008 RS SM5, 24K miles, on Feb 22, 2009) http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?9158-ELKA-Suspension

 

[SpyderSue]

Yikes! Wow, you put a lot of miles on your bikes! Thanks for the pics and the link. More to ponder.

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

You might want to look at adding RT shocks instead of Elkas. There are a lot of RT owners that upgrade to Elkas and sell the old shocks at a discount. The RT shocks with Ron's bar would be a big improvement.

Former owner of a Red '09 GS.

 

[SpyderSue]

You might want to look at adding RT shocks instead of Elkas. There are a lot of RT owners that upgrade to Elkas and sell the old shocks at a discount. The RT shocks with Ron's bar would be a big improvement.

Former owner of a Red '09 GS.

Nice - I hadn't thought of that. Since I bought my Spyder on Ebay, my Corbin seat on Craigslist, clearly I am not above a little more wheeling and dealing. Great idea, thanks!

Mine is Silver - I like the Red :bowdown:

 

[steve635]

I put the Fox shocks that come on the RS-S on mine, and they were an improvement, but made no where near the difference the BajaRon swaybar did.
I concur with the try the bar and the stock shocks at 5 before any other changes (Oh, and make sure you have 19# in the front tires).

 

[SpyderSue]

I put the Fox shocks that come on the RS-S on mine, and they were an improvement, but made no where near the difference the BajaRon swaybar did.
I concur with the try the bar and the stock shocks at 5 before any other changes (Oh, and make sure you have 19# in the front tires).

I learned about the pressure in the tires half way through my trip ryding it from Missouri to Colorado. We stopped for the night, and I thought the Spyder sure was 'twitchy', but figured it was me overstearing like everyone tends to do at the beginning. We sat down and read through the manual, and saw what the recommended pressure was. They were at 35 psi! ACK! Took it down to 25, because we still were unbelivers about the pressure, now they are at 18.

 

[Petersens]

We ride 2 up on 2012 RT an put on ron's bar and got a new ride hyea:

 

[McGone]

Sway bar, RT shocks & shock relocated

I have a 2008 GS and put 40,000 on the original shocks. Added a sway bar, then changed to RT shocks, but the biggest difference came from the shock relocators. The combination really makes the twisties fun.
What year and model are you riding? :doorag::doorag: The sway bar and shock relocators work on 2008 thru 2012 models RS and RT.

 

[SpyderSue]

I have a 2008 GS and put 40,000 on the original shocks. Added a sway bar, then changed to RT shocks, but the biggest difference came from the shock relocators. The combination really makes the twisties fun.
What year and model are you riding? :doorag::doorag: The sway bar and shock relocators work on 2008 thru 2012 models RS and RT.

I've got a 2009 GS SE5 - have not heard about shock relocators. ???

 

[wyliec]

I've got a 2009 GS SE5 - have not heard about shock relocators. ???

PitBull has them.

 

[McGone]

shock relocators

Shock relocators are available from Pittbull Motorsports, for around $200. The bolt on to the top shock mount bracket and move the top of the shock out a little which makes a big difference in the shock operation. They are a sponsor of SpyderLovers so there is a link on the homepage. There are three bolts on each bracket and easy to install. They have a video of the install. You might want to install the relocator first before buying new shocks.

 

[wyliec]

Pit Bull Powersport's site doesn't appear to be up and running yet when you click on it on the homepage. There is a phone number listed, if you wanted to get in touch with him.

 

[Some Guy]

I've got 2012 RT shocks and an after-market sway bar on my 08 GS. I love the way it handles. :thumbup:

 

[wyliec]

I've got 2012 RT shocks and an after-market sway bar on my 08 GS. I love the way it handles. :thumbup:

Did you go to 3 RT shocks like a previous poster? I have the 2011 RT shocks up front only and the EVO sway bar on my 2008. Just wondering if I'm missing out by not having the RT rear shock.

 

[NancysToy]

Did you go to 3 RT shocks like a previous poster? I have the 2011 RT shocks up front only and the EVO sway bar on my 2008. Just wondering if I'm missing out by not having the RT rear shock.

The RT rear shock is not suitable for an RS.

 

[MikeinGA]

I've got 2012 RT shocks and an after-market sway bar on my 08 GS. I love the way it handles. :thumbup:

:agree: I did the same. BajaRon anti-sway bar and 2012 RT shocks set at #3 is the hot setup for my 2011 RS-S riding two up.

Mike