Elka Suspension group buy
- Thread starter Elka
- Start date
navynuke
Well-Known Member
Mine is ordered, I'll post up sample pics when it arrives, however it won't be before the end of the group buy.
Elka Rep was quick and asked about riding experience, preferences, riding style, weight etc. Build time is 2-3 weeks plus ground shipping from Canada.
Elka Rep was quick and asked about riding experience, preferences, riding style, weight etc. Build time is 2-3 weeks plus ground shipping from Canada.
Here you go...twinrider said:
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navynuke - What if anything are you doing for the front end? And are you going to install and tweak the shock yourself or are you going to work with a suspension shop? From the Elka website I saw that CM Motorsports/Catalyst Reaction (cyclemall.net) in Orange is an authorized Elka service shop. I'm seriously considering this shock but would like to work with a shop that can help me get the Elka set up and also upgrade my front end.navynuke said:
navynuke
Well-Known Member
I will be getting a set of springs for the front and possibly change the oil. A revalve of forks isn't in the budget. I will give that shop a call, see what they say. Otherwise it will be setting preload and then playing with clickers.
On a side note I have dealt with road racing suspension and desert racing setup over the years.
On a side note I have dealt with road racing suspension and desert racing setup over the years.
Thanks for the pic. I was just looking at the Tenere page on your website but don't see any specs listed other than the statement that it's a stage 5 shock. Can you post some info clarifying exactly what that means and the shock specs? Thanks.Elka said:
http://www.elkasuspension.com/supertenere2014/
The Stage 5 shocks are the latest evolution of our high-performance suspension platform. It is designed around 3 key performance factors: high hydraulic flow, lightweight components and low-friction internal and moving parts. The increased oil displacement of our new High-Flow internals allow a much more precise tuning and smoother damping action. The result is better bump absorption, greater comfort and increased speed between the compression and rebound phase. The low friction internals dramatically reduce the stiction, the initial stickiness caused by the friction of internal moving parts against the seals.twinrider said:
Stage 5 shocks offer high and low speed compression adjustment, rebound adjustment, and preload ( hydraulic preload for Super Tenere application)
SpaceTraveler
Member
I am the lucky one to have the first. All I can say, it is awesome. Off road, I can confirm the suspension absorb all the bump a lot more and the wheel stay more on the ground. I notice a big improvement on "spin".arjayes said:
Overall, a better traction, smoother ride!
This is by far the best improvement I did on the bike yet.
Good to hear! Everything I've read about Elka has been positive, and John Ilkiw has been been a pleasure to deal with. I placed my order last week.SpaceTraveler said:
Group buy ends on June 20th. I'm curious how many have taken advantage of this deal.
Order placed one week ago.
A friend who recommended Elka to me has an Elka solution on his GS and essentially says the same - much better traction all around and marked improvement in ride.SpaceTraveler said:
This looks great! I am wondering: what is the reliability like? Some shocks I have looked at over the last 10 years have internal parts that wear quickly, and need to be rebuilt with "regular" frequency. Can Elka give any info about reliability or recommended rebuild schedules? Lastly, who and where can it be rebuilt?
These were really my only two concerns with this shock. The warranty is only 1 year, and the service network is not going to be what it is for Penske and Ohlins. In fact Elka only lists two authorized service centers in the US on their web site. One of them is only about an hour north of me (CM Motorsports in Orange, CA), which is nice. But the authorized dealer network is much larger.archer said:
CM Motorsports also sells Penske and Ohlins. I contacted them and asked what they would recommend for the Tenere - the Elka stage 5 or the Penske 8987. They recommended the Elka, mainly because of the hydraulic preload adjuster. I was leaning that way anyway and that cinched it for me.
Service intervals is a little bit of a grey area because it is very subjective to not just the mileage, but also the type of riding the suspension is subject to.archer said:
A shock absorbers lifetime depends on the progression of oil breakdown. What breaks down oil is harsh, frequent, and high velocity movement of the shock shaft from bumps that the suspension is subject to. A shock ridden on incredibly smooth roads throughout its lifetime will last quite a while before requiring an oil change. The Elka shock I have on my Yamaha FZ8 is going on its 4th year without an oil change, but I only ride about 7000km-9000km per year. However, someone who takes his bike off-road alot is subjecting the suspension to much more demanding terrain, which in turn breaks down the oil's molecular structure considerably faster.
All shock manufacturers will tell you in their owner’s manuals or on their websites to send them in for service on almost a yearly basis to have optimal performance. While this is true for the most part ( the optimal performance bit), the best gauge to tell if it needs service......is you. Trust me, when the shock is tired and in need of some TLC, you will know, all those bumps and undulations that you travel on every day leaving the driveway or on your commute to work that you know so well will start to feel .....well, more "bumpy".
As for service centers, although we only list two "official" service centers, and good reputable shock tuner can rebuild any shock out there. All the companies mentioned above base their shock around the same type of technology, so any good tuner can handle our products as well.
If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to email me at jilkiw@elkasuspension.com.
Regards,
John@Elka
Just a quick reminder to those who are still interested that the deasdline for this group buy is tomorrow ( June 20th).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at jilkiw@elkasuspension.com
Regards,
John@Elka
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at jilkiw@elkasuspension.com
Regards,
John@Elka
Received my shock a few days ago, have been trying out in a few different riding conditions. Very happy with improvement from oem shock. Had a question which Jim responded to promptly. Thanks to Elka for the group buy offer, a good deal for the ones that took the opportunity to try it.
navynuke
Well-Known Member
delivery attempted today on mine, but out of town on work. Should be at home tomorrow to get it, but might not get installed till next week.
Those of you who put it on did you pull the subframe to run the lines behind it?
Those of you who put it on did you pull the subframe to run the lines behind it?