[Saul76]

OK - so I recently stepped up to a set of Elka front shocks over the stockers. However, I think they might be a tad too stiff.

Should I just try backing off the preload a little and see if it makes the ride a little smoother?

How many turns back should I go?

For comparison - here is the ride height with stockers VS Elkas.

Stockers

Elka's

Bear in mind I ride rock infested rough trails - so would backing off the preload sgive me more cushion/softness over rocks and small bumps? (I know it will lower my ride height some)

Or am I better off buying +2 a-arms and having the extra length arms make the ride/shocks feel 'softer' ?

 

[SHOWNGO250R]

Preload is only used to set ride height.

 

[Saul76]

So setting less preload (more sag) will not make my suspension somewhat plusher? :blink:

 

[Lasher-19]

First...congrads on the upgrade.

I used to be under the impression that you set the pre-load to 1/3 of the shock travel. But recently found out otherwise...

As oldschoolmx stated, preload is for setting ride height. For MX, you want the rear (right behind the footpegs) to be about 7 inches. That is with you sitting on the quad. You adjust the height of the rear by turning the pre-load nuts (or move clip).

Then you set the front height between 7 and 7 1/2 inches. Basically, you want the front about 1/2 inch higher than the rear. You measure (with you on the quad) at the front most part of the frame before it rakes upwards.

That is how you set the preload. But meat asked a good question...are the front shocks the same lenght as the old set? From the pics it looks like they are a lot longer. If you go to +2, you need to make sure to get the shocks valved for the new length A-arms. Your new shocks are set up for the current arm length...right?

 

[Saul76]

That is how you set the preload. But meat asked a good question...are the front shocks the same lenght as the old set? From the pics it looks like they are a lot longer. If you go to +2, you need to make sure to get the shocks valved for the new length A-arms. Your new shocks are set up for the current arm length...right?

The shocks are the same length as the stockers and were set up for stock a-arms.

I now have them set to give an inch of static sag and level out the front and rear at the same time - wen't riding in my usual places today and was floored at how much smoother the quad soaked up the bumpy terrian.

 

[Lasher-19]

The shocks are the same length as the stockers and were set up for stock a-arms.

I now have them set to give an inch of static sag and level out the front and rear at the same time - wen't riding in my usual places today and was floored at how much smoother the quad soaked up the bumpy terrian.

Shock upgrades are usually a huge improvement. Glad to hear you like them. Grab a friend and set the ride height, then give the quad an alignment (see tips section).

All you have left is to play with the settings (not sure which settings you can change) and ride!

 

[Saul76]

Shock upgrades are usually a huge improvement. Glad to hear you like them. Grab a friend and set the ride height, then give the quad an alignment (see tips section).

All you have left is to play with the settings (not sure which settings you can change) and ride!

These are just the recreational model - so all I can adjust is preload/sag.

 

[Lasher-19]

These are just the recreational model - so all I can adjust is preload/sag.

Then just have fun riding them (after setting ride height/toe)!

 

[Saul76]

Then just have fun riding them (after setting ride height/toe)!

Oh man - I am having fun. They are triple rate shocks & feel 100X's better the the stockers!

 

[Lasher-19]

Oh man - I am having fun. They are triple rate shocks & feel 100X's better the the stockers!

What is your ride height set at?

Reason I am asking, if you are too high, then the wheels cannot "drop into the hole" when going over bumps. I raced for years without setting ride height and could not believe the difference when I did. I used to always just set the rear "sag" or preload by 3 inches.

 

[mj4trax]

While it's been stated that the preload can only set the ride height, and that's kinda true. .. . but setting the ride height makes the shocks normally operate in a different part of the shock stroke (as well as allow the wheels to move down into the holes). . . and shocks tend to behave differently at different parts of the stroke. ..

Glad to hear that you're happy with the performance now . .. means you don't have to send the shocks out. . ... yet ;-)

 

[Saul76]

I have my ride height set at 9 inches at the foot peg with me stood on the quad. 9 1/4 just under the front motor mounts.

I'm gunna pound away with these shocks for now and when I feel my riding style (IE:jumping higher) needs it I will probably step up to shocks with compression and rebound adjustability. As for now - I just don't need all the bells and whistles - these shocks (no pun intended) shocked me today as I was going over my regular trails much faster then I've been able to before & it felt so much smoother. I was impressed.

I mean the shocks were an improvement as soon as I put them on the quad as they were. I just put them on and rode for a week or more just as they arrived. Felt a lil stiff but still an improvement over the stockers.

Bored yesterday I decided I needed to tinker with something so I started reading about preload and sag and realized I had no 'static' sag in my fronts at all and my front end seemed quite higher then the back. Thank god I finally went out and did it, cause again, maybe adjusting the preload isn't supposed to do much for 'ride comfort' but in my case it did indeed make a big difference.

Peace guys.

 

[Lasher-19]

I have my ride height set at 9 inches at the foot peg with me stood on the quad. 9 1/4 just under the front motor mounts.

Lower that thing! Since you are on the trails, maybe just to 8 inches rear and 8 1/2 at the front (right before the frame goes up) and see how that is.

mj4trax is right that shocks are dampen different in the stroke, but I highly doubt that Elka designed the shocks to be at 9 inches ride height. Heck, give them a call and see what they suggest for ride height...they built the shocks and should know.

 

[Saul76]

Lower that thing! Since you are on the trails, maybe just to 8 inches rear and 8 1/2 at the front (right before the frame goes up) and see how that is.

If I ever get a gopro helmet cam I'll take some video of my trails - where I'm at now at 9 inchs is just right for where I ride. Any lower and I'll be beating and banging on rocks.

mj4trax is right that shocks are dampen different in the stroke, but I highly doubt that Elka designed the shocks to be at 9 inches ride height. Heck, give them a call and see what they suggest for ride height...they built the shocks and should know.

I bought them used, they wouldn't have any idea about them I'd imagine (my specific shocks)

The user I bought them from on here told me they were just done for stock arms and a 180 pound rider. Fits me to a tee.

Now, come winter with snow and groomed snowmobile trails I will probably drop the whole ride height another inch - if not more. SOOOOOO much better riding once the sleds beat down some nice hardpacked snow trails.

 

[Saul76]

While we're on the subject - a couple questions,

1. Does anyone think these would work with +2 arms 'as is' or would they need to be re-valved?

2. Should I run shock covers for safety/protection? Do any of you guys run covers?

 

[Oppossum]

i'd suggest covers regardless if you r riding environment is dirty or not. they help keep all sorts of foreign material off of the shocks. just be sure to puriodically remove and clean under them once in a while.

 

[Lasher-19]

While we're on the subject - a couple questions,

1. Does anyone think these would work with +2 arms 'as is' or would they need to be re-valved?

2. Should I run shock covers for safety/protection? Do any of you guys run covers?

Doubtful they will work with +2 arms as is. The same shocks could be used with a valving change (not that expensive). You are changing the leverage ratio when you extend the arms. If they worked like crap now, maybe you could use. But since the shocks are working good, I would say get them revalved.

I run covers on my fronts to stop stuff getting to the shaft. I used to run rear covers as well, but Custom Axis recommended that I do not due to heat and it is pretty well protected behind the motor. Plus, I think it looks cool.

 

[Robbie]

i just doesn't look right to me. Saul could you take another picture with better lighting. It looks like your upper ball joints are at one hellava steep angle. And the front of the quad looks a good 2 maybe 3 inches higher than the stock shocks. Preload shouldn't have it jacked up that high. And don't Elka shock use a sagging spring ? If you have a small sag spring on those shocks it should be sitting equal or even lower than the stock shocks, not 3 inches higher. Maybe its just the angle that you took the two pictures, but IMO the quad looks like its stretched out too much. You should have a "low slung" look, not a stretched out look. And just for the sake of curiosity, what is the eye to eye length on your Elkas ?

I totally agree measure eye to eye with the shock off the ground. Are you sure you dont have 450r shocks? I had the same thing happen to me I bought a set of axis 250r shocks used on flea bay, come to find out they were 16-3/4" eye to eye which is 450 length. My quad sat just like yours with the a- arms extended and was very hard to ride fast.

 

[Saul76]

These are the shocks I bought ...
http://www.r-central.net/trx250rforums/ind...?showtopic=3811

As per yfzb - shane,
"these shocks are stock length for a 250r but will work on many bikes. they are fresh with no leaks and are valved for all around 180lb rider. thanks, shane"

Best pic I have of them side by side ...

You guys think I should let out some more preload?

 

[Lasher-19]

The length looks good in the pic (eye to eye) but the one thing that stands out to me is how far down the pre-load adjustment is in that pic.

I am going to guess that your quad is sitting so high from too much preload. With you (and gear) on the quad, set the ride height to 7 inches rear and 7 1/2 front. All my shocks for my Rs, the preload is near the top of the shock.

You might not be able to get down to 7 inches, all depends on your shocks. But make sure the front is 1/2 inch higher. See Walsh Race Craft's website for where to measure (with pics) on frame height.

My 89 R with Ohlins/TCS I could not get down to 7 inches or the spring would be loose. So I am at 7.5 inches rear and 7.75 in the front. These shocks are being replaced this winter.
On the Walsh, the same thing happened but the shock was too long and I just got that fixed.

You said you were at 9 inches...drop it down as close as you can to 7 inches and see how the angle of the arm/joints are then. Plus I think you will find the ride much better, if the shocks are correctly valved. In any event, this winter I would send them back to Elka to get refreshed and checked out. That is pretty cheap. Never believe what people say about shocks being set up or refreshed. As I have found with my Custom Axis shocks.