ATV Florida Forum

Anyone have Elka shocks?  If so,

How are they?

Any pros & cons...

They're awsome. BUt you dont need them.

if you can afford them, then sure.

I'll agree with the above.

learn the quad first, they are not gonna make you any faster until you can outdrive your quad,,,,then get them.

I'll say this from EXPERIENCE, Elkas are incredible and there is no real way to describe what they do for the ride of your quad,,,,,but to understand that you first have to live without them to understand what living without them is like.

Id@

Well if I get straight A's I can get +2 A-Arms and some Elka's ;)


How about Stadium VS. Elka.....

elka's  ;)

elaks suck get stadiums. they are both from canada but i prefer stadiums. i rode elkas and they arent as good as my stadiums.

get stadium! elka sucks!!!

OK......... ;)

Do any of you guys know how much Travel does Stadium have in the front?

I am not sure how much travel they have but it is a lot!!! the customer service for stadium is so much better than elka! when stadium sends out there shocks they are ready to be put on! you may need to adjust them a little but not much! unlike elka where you have to send them back and fourth because they springed it wrong or valved it wrong! elka also has air in their shocks! just ask TRX#9 about his pogostick full of air for a back shock! or aske him how many times he had to send them back because they were wrong! stadium was just released in the US last year and they out sell elka in Canada 60 to 40! stadium also has a money back guarantee!

So it looks like I'll be getting Stadiums but what kind of A-Arms will go with them?


What else do I have to buy?

you can get any type of a-arm! they will make them to fit! you just have to get the specs of the a-arms and tell stadium! also the owner of stadium builds your shocks not some crony in the back!

you will also need ball joints, tie rods, tie rod ends, brake lines, and brake line clamps.

Does Stadium sell "ball joints, tie rods, tie rod ends, brake lines, and brake line clamps."

no you need to get the tie rods and ball joints from ricky stator! and get the heavy duty honda style tie rods! you have to get the brake lines, and clamps from streamline!

Oh.........................

nothing, save your dad's money and learn to ride the crap out of the bike the way it is,,,,THEN get some aftermarket stuff.

Id@

What ever you say Id@

IDA has a point,  looking past the sarcasm if you ride the quad get a feel for what it does and then improve in areas that makes you a better rider.

this may help:

http://www.yfzcentral.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=37883

if you get new shocks can i have/buy your old ones ;D

Well work something out...... ;)

Good luck he is giving them to me, hope they fit (probaly not)

LMAO
1. they would not fit
2. y would u put them on a 250 ur not geting alot of air  and  its a 250 ex

He's lucky getting of he getting off the ground ::)

I can almost clear that table at sm soo y >:D you be quiet and I dont need those crappy shocks I can get 11 in travel on a LT-R :P and good luck on getting all A's :D :D :D

i dont think you are capeable of using all 11 inch. of travel. :P

I was being sarcastic? ;-)

Id@

I can without going on a track ;-)

Id@

who ever bad mouths elka shocks have never owned elka's wehave owned 5 quads all with elka suspension and never had 1 problem  elkas support with there suspension is by far better than any company we have ever spoken to i dont bad mouth other suspension companys and ive talked to alot of them and ive seen alot of suspensions blow out I cant say any thing about stadium because I have never heard of them till this year

well i owned a pair of elkas and IMO i hate them. when i called them their customer service sucked they put a 200lb. spring on it when it was supposed to be a 125lb. so i sent them back and they put  a 180lb. spring on it called them back and they didnt fix it they wanted me to buy a new spring. >:( >:(

i like stadium because if you call fred at AIM he will sit there and walk you threw setting up your shocks. if you call him after the shop is closed he will help you whith what you need. 8) now thats customer service.

did you buy your shocks directly from elka or did you go through a shop

Right on...

I run the CUSTOM AXIS, ARS-FX set-up and could not be happier with them, some say bad service but I have never had any problems with them and yes I do push it to the limit!!!!!

through elka. :-\

He baught the Stadiums blue rezis and blue x-rated a-arms rear axle and a N motion pipe ::)

I baught a Yahmahha Blahstar in Jhune of lhast yhear.

SWEET ::)

You forgot a High Comp Piston ;)

      Everyone has good and bad service with anything.[   

I have Elks on my quad and there great.  I cut the rezi hose of my rear and had to send it back to Elka and the service was great. The guy called me when it showed up from UPS and then called me when it was ready for shiping. (repair was done the same day it showed up).  ;)

Hey maverick calm down there. The air problem with the shock is a rare problem and can happen to any shock. I send my elka's back alot because I'm trying to get the most out of them and I'm pickie, and Im a pro level rider I demand more out of them. Stadiums are unknown to me but what I been hearing at the track isn't good and Jake been having problems with them too. bottoming out problems at sunshine and at sandmountain he had john natalie working on his shocks, if they so great and set up so great why was he asking for help from a elka rider (natalie).   

i wasnt asking for help he was interested in them because hes been hearing alot abot them. and i bottom out on the faces at sunshine because i had them too soft so i stiffen them up and now have no problem with them. just ask hondarider22 how great they wher at dade. i was the fastest and cleanest threw the whoops. ;)

Not what I heard or seen. Your dad went over to john and ask for help on the set up, and then I left. then at sunshine i talked to maverick about what john said about the shocks and he said they were way to stiff for your weight ??? 

well i  like them stiff. i tried to ride with them soft and didnt like it.

Guys im getting worried now :(

dont you will love your shocks.

I hope so.... ;D

Well, has all of this usefull information helped you at all ? lol  ;)

Kinda...................Elka shocks are not returnable but stadium gives you a 30-Day money back gurantee.....SO Stadium Shocks asound better to me

What kind of price is Stadium selling there shocks for?

they arte around the same price range as every one else! my longtavel front shocks with high speed comp and rebound (no low speed comp) they were around 1300.

How many pro riders are there running either one of these? Elka or Stadium.

well considering the stadiums were just released in the US this year none yet! so far byrd tested them and another pro did so far but i cant remember his name!  ??? in dew time!

They are probably pretty good. I guess it comes down to personal pref. The problem i see with any aftermarket suspension is most riders do not know how to properly adjust them to get the bike set up for their riding style and ability. So they may have a great shock that they hate because it is set up wrong.

which is also good with stadium! my sponsor a AIM performance who is the stadium dealer will answer any questions you have! you can call him at 10 at night at the track for help and he will answer and help you set them up! he also does great revalve and rebuild work too! i had my rear done and it is great! :ThumbsUp.gif

That alwys helps when you have that kind of support. I am am very happy with my current set up. I would not change for nothing unless they quit making my shocks.

Stadiums are probably the best Shocks out... ;)

People haven't seen them out yet so they have to get popular first then everybody will have them ;)

Just like the MAVERICK said....

Something I copied from http://www.yfzcentral.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=37883

Custom Axis
Adjustments-Preload, Compression, Rebound
Features- CAD/CAM technology, 5/8" diameter shafts, race proven suspension fluids, "live spring" design. all this ads up to make one extreemly adjustable and tunable shock.
Price-$895-$1325
Customer Service- overall good customer service, willing to revalve if not setup properly the first time.
Turnaround- ranges from a week to 3 weeks, depending on time and demand
Appeal- Axis shocks are state-of-the art shocks. fully designed on CAD software and machined out, their looks cant be beat. quality parts and service go into each shock. Axis is a division of Penske Racing, a leader in automotive suspension.

PEP
Adjustments- preload, compression, rebound
Features-quad rate, ZPS, BIG rezzies, race proven, chrome bodies
Price- $595-$1695
Customer Service- this is where PEP falls behind. because of there extreem waiting list and only 2 guys making the shocks, getting a revalve or service can take some time
Turnaround- 3 weeks and up to 3 months 
Appeal- with their chrome bodies and multi colored springs, they stand out in the crowd. they also preform just as good as they look with many of the top GNC pros riding on PEP. they have been in the buisness ever since quad racing began. the quality of these is top notch from the spherical bearings to the internals.

Elka
Adjustments- preload, compression H/L, rebound
Features- quad rate, SSD, innovative designs, cool anodized red parts  , TRACK system, Elite, Sports, Recreation, and Dune series shocks designed to fit any budget.
Price- $450-$1295 TRACK system will be more, hasent been released to the public yet
Customer Service- Elka is known for their excelent customer service and helpfull people.
Turnaround- 1 week to 3 weeks
Appeal- yet another great looking shock. the anodized red is different from anyother in the business. however, looks can be deceveing. because Elka almost mass produces shocks, each shock mignt not get the "care" and attention that Axis, PEP, and TCS provides. this is probably the main reason why many people have to send their shocks back for revalving or re-springing. but regardless, they make a good quality product.

TCS
Adjustments- preload, compression
Features- tripple rate, SCS, shim style valving, simple yet effective design
Price- $650-$975
Customer Service- from Lake Elsinore, CA, TCS provides excelent customer service. owned and opperated by Todd Davis, this company knows how to tune your shocks. if you dont agree, take them back because theres a 30 day revalve guarantee.
Turnaround- 1-4 weeks, depending on the season and avalibility
Appeal- TCS shocks are very easy on the eyes  . with their shim style valving and Eibach springs, there bound to have a good effect on your machine. TCS is often mistaken with being a lesser quality company, and just a cheap alternative to the bigger names. but couldnt be farther from the truth. they are just a smaller company making great quality products. TCS also offers revalve/respring for your stock rear shock turning it into an awsome ride.

FOX Racing Shocks
Adjustments- "preload", compression, rebound -> C/R only found on the Evol shocks
Features- uses air pressure to controll the firmness of the shock, infantly adjustable, new doubble piggyback style
Price-$695-$???? (only Natalie runs the new Evol series, so who konws the price?)
Customer Service- well, Fox is big in the Downhill Offroad Bike industry with many different models avalible for bikes. also into full off road buggy/truck suspension, and iv never heard anything bad about these. so i think its safe to assume that their service will be just as good as their product
Turnaround- because there is no specific valving, and you do all the fine tuning of these shocks, these can be at your door as fast as the UPS man can bring them!
Appeal- the look and technology of these products is outstanding. this could very well be the future of ATV suspension as we know. multi spring rates and the valving methods for regular shocks date back to the '20s. its time for change! and Fox is just the company to do this  Look for a few more bikes next season to be running the Evol shocks.

Ohlins
Adjustments- preload, compression, rebound
Features- made in Sweeden!, years of shock experince, dual or single rate springs, high quality components
Price- $750-$1150
Customer Service- Ohlins now has a handfull of distributers and small manufacturing plants here in the US. although you wont be directly connected with their facilites in Sweeden, your shocks will be tuned and refined in the US. not many people riding on Ohlins since the 250r days, Dunk is the only one i can think of off hand.
Turnaround- usually fast, taking with in 2-4 weeks
Appeal- Ohlins hasent changed their look in a long time. and why should they? the gold anodized rezzies and intense yellow springs make them look race ready, and they are.


Motowoz
Adjustments- preload, compression, rebound
Features- new single Titanium Spring, large lines to rezzies for maximum fluid flow, advanced CAD designed VSV valving, "tripple" seal system.
Price- $1070-$1750
Customer Service- Motowoz has an awsome valving program with lots of new technology in the shocks. im sure they will help you out with all of your suspension needs
Turnaround- Sadly i cant answer this question, because i havent talked or seen anybody run these shocks  . im sure we will be seeing more of these as the company slowly rebuilds its self.
Appeal- another awsome looking shock. one with looks as good as performance. Motowoz is now offering a lineup of a-arms (standard and long travel) as well. these are sure to please even the most critical rider.


Works
Adjustments- Preload, compression (H/L), rebound
Features- ZPS,new 5/8" shafts, checkball valving, Black Widow,"G" Series, Pro Series, and A-T Series to match any riding style
Price- $320-$1050
Customer Service- good customer service with a revalve opperation if your not satisfied with your shocks the first time around.
Turnaround- quick times using a large manufacturing facility. usually 1-2 weeks
Appeal- their new designs are like nothing we've seen from Works. a new dual line rezzie and also the Black Widow series. in addition are the gold anodized rezzies, black bodies and red, black and white springs.

Progressive
Adjustments- preload, compression (H/L), rebound
Features- new "6th-sence" valving technology, Control Valve Technology, position sensitive damping control. very advanced technology. Five controls independently adjust bottom out resistance, low speed compression, high speed compression, rebound, and preload.
Price- $alot$, havent seen a price yet, but im sure its not going to be cheap!
Customer Service- because these shocks are soo adjustable, they dont need to be revalved. thus, almost eliminating Customer Service. but PS has been around for a good number of years and would help you out in geting a great set of shocks
Turnaround- since they have no specific valving (at least to my knowledge) they could simply be shipped directly to you.
Appeal- perhaps the best looking out of our line up. large piggyback rezzies which get their fluid from dual compression adjustments look trick. deffinently should not pass these up on your search for a better suspension!

Which give more travel.........


Laeger's VS. Rated X

Stadiums are probably the best Shocks out... Wink

People haven't seen them out yet so they have to get popular first then everybody will have them Wink

Just like the MAVERICK said....


I don't think i would go that far.

actually most of the top pros in canada run them. they sold more shocks than elka last year. :o i think if you give it a couple more months you will here lots of thing about stadium. ;) oh and there have been many pros that tried them (in america) that liked them i cant tell you who but they switched to another company because they where giving out a bigger pay check. ???