DAL Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 I took my 2001 'Shee out riding for the first time last weekend (after almost a month of getting her ready), and I quickly learned the stock suspension REALLY sucks. So I've got about $1K to spend on suspension, and want to maximize what I get for my money. I realize that's not a lot of money, especially when talking about suspension, but what can I say? I'm on a budget... At any rate, she will be used for aggressive trail riding and occassional MX. After reading through a bunch of threads, it appears my money would be better spent on Elkas rather than Works, so I'm looking to move in that direction. While I'm at it, I'd like to upgrade to +2 +1 a-arms as well. I saw a couple packages available on EBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Elka-Shocks-Lone-Star-A-arms-Banshee-350-Suspension-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem20b26a99efQQitemZ140432284143QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories and http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Elka-Shocks-Laeger-Long-Travel-a-arms-Yamaha-Banshee-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5888c9f0c5QQitemZ380252057797QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Based on the type of riding I'm looking to do, I have a few questions: Should I go with long travel? Why or why not? Does anyone have experience with either Lone Star or Laeger a-arms? Any suggestions for any other companies? Is the stock rear shock rebuildable? If so, is this even a good option? Is the additional money spent to upgrade from Stage 2 to Stage 3 worth based on my riding style? Anything anyone else can think of that I may not? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toytech Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 I took my 2001 'Shee out riding for the first time last weekend (after almost a month of getting her ready), and I quickly learned the stock suspension REALLY sucks. So I've got about $1K to spend on suspension, and want to maximize what I get for my money. She will be used for aggressive trail riding and occassional MX. After reading through a bunch of threads, it appears my money would be better spent on Elkas rather than Works, so I'm looking to move in that direction. While I'm at it, I'd like to upgrade to +2 +1 a-arms as well. I saw a couple packages available on EBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Elka-Shocks-Lone-Star-A-arms-Banshee-350-Suspension-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem20b26a99efQQitemZ140432284143QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories and http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Elka-Shocks-Laeger-Long-Travel-a-arms-Yamaha-Banshee-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5888c9f0c5QQitemZ380252057797QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Based on the type of riding I'm looking to do, I have a few questions: Should I go with long travel? Why or why not? Does anyone have experience with either Lone Star or Laeger a-arms? Any suggestions for any other companies? Is the stock rear shock rebuildable? If so, is this even a good option? Is the additional money spent to upgrade from Stage 2 to Stage 3 worth based on my riding style? Anything anyone else can think of that I may not? Thanks! either one of those are good sets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandking Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 ELKAS are great but if you ride recreationally you don't need resi's on the fronts. Either a arm option would work and look and feel better than stock. Long travel isn't necessary for a limited budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAL Posted August 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 ELKAS are great but if you ride recreationally you don't need resi's on the fronts. Either a arm option would work and look and feel better than stock. Long travel isn't necessary for a limited budget. Well, that would certainly save some coin. You really don't think the rezzies would be necessary on the track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12 0 Clock P I M P Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Well, that would certainly save some coin. You really don't think the rezzies would be necessary on the track? If you are racing then you may want the adjustment......Just changing the A Arms improves the ride greatly...i have a set of +2 +1 with stock shocks on mine and i would never put stock arms back on anything.......Go with the lone star set up....reputable company both the shocks and arms.......you will be amazed once u bolt them on..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbcmudtruck Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Get a set of Wicked arms and a set of stage 2 or stage 3 elkas. Then get invested into a rear Elka, again stage 2 or 3. Your going to have quite a bit of money invested, but said and done, you will have nearly the best combo available for your bike. Not having resis might be ok for some people, but if I didn't have the ability to adjust and tune my shocks to my riding style, I would go nuts. Also, look into a -1 swing arm. A shorter swinger greatly increases the way the bike handles and flys through the air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06specialedition Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Get a set of Wicked arms and a set of stage 2 or stage 3 elkas. Then get invested into a rear Elka, again stage 2 or 3. Your going to have quite a bit of money invested, but said and done, you will have nearly the best combo available for your bike. Not having resis might be ok for some people, but if I didn't have the ability to adjust and tune my shocks to my riding style, I would go nuts. Also, look into a -1 swing arm. A shorter swinger greatly increases the way the bike handles and flys through the air. Can you run stock shocks with the Wicked A Arms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbcmudtruck Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 also i dont think wickeds would be in the best combo for suspension. Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbcmudtruck Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 I'm not going to argue with you, in my opinion you don't know what your talking about... However this guy asked for suggestions in a front end setup. My suggestion would be with out a doubt, +2+1 Wickeds and Stage 2 or 3 Elkas. For the money, you won't find a better suspension combo. Not only for the money, but for your riding style. You wouldn't benifit from long travel at all. As far as a rebuilt stocker goes, I've had nothing but nightmares with mine and have invested far too much into it. There is no way I would recomend investing into a rebuilt rear over an Elka. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutwood 472 Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 I'm not going to argue with you, in my opinion you don't know what your talking about... However this guy asked for suggestions in a front end setup. My suggestion would be with out a doubt, +2+1 Wickeds and Stage 2 or 3 Elkas. For the money, you won't find a better suspension combo. Not only for the money, but for your riding style. You wouldn't benifit from long travel at all. As far as a rebuilt stocker goes, I've had nothing but nightmares with mine and have invested far too much into it. There is no way I would recomend investing into a rebuilt rear over an Elka. I have a matching set of elka elit stag 2 with high Low adjustment and rebound,fronts and rear and they are sweet,and a plus 2 and 1 forward and a stock lenght swing arm and it works great together,but the shocks will run you 2500.00 and if you buy all three,they will nock off a few hundred,they did for me and I bought mine through Jassen Racing and they are set up for my wieght and ridding style,cross country and mx,elka have 5/8 shafts and works and stock only have 1/2 shafts,unless you buy the best line they have,which will run about the same as elka or axis and ohlins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbcmudtruck Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 why because i said wicked sucks compared to my lonestars? you asked if i have tried both, i said yes i have lonestars on mine, and a friend has wicked oh his. also if you are trying to save money, look for a used set on here. No, and for three reasons. 1.) You don't own a set of wickeds, you said they "looked" thinner, when in fact they are made identical. Both are made from 4130 chromemoly. 2.) You own Lonestars, which cost nearly twice as much, carry the same warranty, but have no customer service. 3.) You run works shocks, which I thought were absolute garbarge, unless you compared them to stock shocks. Also, your running tripple rates, which is a complete waste on stock travel suspension. Last but not least, you said you had $750 bucks in that setup, and that was used. I would be embarressed to tell people I had that much money in a Works/Lonestar front end, especially a used one! I know, no matter what argument is made, your right and I'm wrong.... But to give out advice that is just wrong, well somebody had to step in and say something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silentsoul Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 Man get a set of fox floats, I love mine! All you you gotta do is adjust the air pressure in the shock to adjust for your riding style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAL Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 Man get a set of fox floats, I love mine! All you you gotta do is adjust the air pressure in the shock to adjust for your riding style. Interesting. I saw the Floats in a different a-arm package on Ebay for about the same price. What model Floats do you have? What type of riding do you do? Impressions on quality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAL Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 I have another question: If I go ahead and buy the suspension for the stock a-arms, then upgrade to +2 +1 at a later date, will the shocks still suffice, or will I have tto have them revalved or replaced altogether? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAL Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 most likely they will be way to soft. Which means they would have to be revalved, right? Any idea what something like that costs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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