Posted February 8, 2008

Improve your suspension to go faster

We often get the question "I want to go faster but my arms get tired too fast and the back end is kicking me around."

Improving your suspension is one of the first things you should do to your ATV, whether you are trail riding on a sport ATV or utility ATV or spinning your wheels on the track.

Whether you weigh 100 pounds or 250 pounds, or no matter how you ride or where you ride, all ATVs come with the same suspension. Stock suspension may come set up for a 180-pound rider riding in second gear on relatively smooth ground. That doesn’t sound like it fits very many riders we know.

Getting your wheels on the ground is key for going faster. But it's also important for improved rider comfort and safety.

To help us explain suspension we called Yann Guilbeault with Elka Suspension. The company sponsors the AMA Pro ATV Motocross series and the GNCC series. They know how suspension works.

ATVAonline: Should a rider adjust his or her stock shocks or upgrade to better shocks?

Guilbeault: Shocks are getting better every year with more adjustability. If your shocks offer adjustability then the rider should spend time setting up for how they ride. It doesn’t make any difference if you are Pro rider or a recreational rider, you will benefit from better shocks. The harder you ride and the tougher the track or trail, the more you will benefit.

ATVAonline: How much do new shocks cost?

Guilbeault: Riders are spending a lot more money on their motors then they spend on better suspension, and, as a result, they're not able to use that increased power.

For a set of front shocks you should expect to pay from $500 to $1,800, and for a rear shock $895 to $1,100. If you have to replace your stock front shocks, it will cost you more than $500 to buy another stock pair and you can’t rebuild or set them up to your specifications.

ATVAonline: What different features are there?

Guilbeault: Your basic entry-level aftermarket shock won’t have a reservoir or hydraulic adjustment, but the valving and spring rates will be set up personally for how you ride and will give you much better performance. And they won’t fade as fast as stock shocks.

Top-of-the-line shocks will be adjustable for high- and low-speed compression, rebound, long travel, will have triple-rate springs and even more features.

Stock shocks with a hydraulic reservoir have some adjustability, but on some if you play with the compression it may interfere with the rebound. It’s a lot harder to fine-tune even a good stock shock than an aftermarket one.

Plus, aftermarket shocks will lower ride height, which will give you longer wheel travel, and a plusher ride. This gives you much improved handling and cornering.

ATVAonline: Do I have to change my A-arms?

Guilbeault: That depends on what kind of racing you will be doing. Most recreational riders and GNCC riders will stay with stock A-arms, while MX and Extreme Dirt Track racers choose to go wider (50-inch maximum). This is something that needs to be specified when you order your shocks.

ATVAonline: Any advice for someone who wants to upgrade their shocks?

Guilbeault: If you want to get the maximum performance from new shocks, call to get them or go online, this way your new shocks will be personally set up for you. Purchasing some other way, you may not be satisfied with the outcome.

ATVAonline: What kind of support does Elka provide?

Guilbeault: Every new shock comes with a 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee. Install your shocks, try them out. Every rider is different, every machine is different, and fine tuning your shocks to you will give you maximum comfort, handling, safety and speed.

For more information on Elka Suspension components call toll free (800) 557-0552 or check them out at www.elkasuspension.com.

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