Evander
Expert Class
Posts: 130
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posted November 28, 2005 08:41 PM
Shocks!?!?!?!
Is there really a noticeable difference between aftermarket shocks? I'm interested in a 3-way adjustable but wonder if there is a difference. Everybody suggests Ohlins but is Penske, Elka, HyperPro, WP all that different?
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zx1kr
Pro
Posts: 1301
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posted November 28, 2005 08:55 PM
No question about it! I installed a Penske 3 way & had the front forks completely overhauled by Traxxion Dynamics. They made enough of a difference that my Buddy on his stock ZX10 could no longer keep it close through the tight stuff. I could enter turns carrying more speed, hold more speed through the turn & obviously leave the turn w/more steam & confidence. If you're not banging the twisties & testing the limits of the stock stuff you could probably do just fine with the stock stuff, If your hittin it & you have tried to dial out the negatives in stock boingers , then you will benefit from a suspension upgrade.If you got the loot, go for it.
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GUNNER
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
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posted November 28, 2005 08:59 PM
So did your buddy keep up with you before all the work? What did Traxxion do for the forks? Did the set up the shock for you as well?
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bovinespongiformencephalo
Pro
variant Kreutzfeldt-Jakob
Posts: 1060
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posted November 28, 2005 09:19 PM
Penske is better than Ohlins. Do a little research. The concensus seems to be the Ohlins high speed compression adjuster is an ornament. There is also considerable overlap in the damping circuits that can make set-up a bitch. Most of these deficiencies can be overcome with a a trip to a good suspension shop for proper valving, but properly sprung the Penske works right out of the box. They are also easier to work on.
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Evander
Expert Class
Posts: 130
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posted November 28, 2005 10:34 PM
quote:
Penske is better than Ohlins. Do a little research. The concensus seems to be the Ohlins high speed compression adjuster is an ornament. There is also considerable overlap in the damping circuits that can make set-up a bitch. Most of these deficiencies can be overcome with a a trip to a good suspension shop for proper valving, but properly sprung the Penske works right out of the box. They are also easier to work on.
I am trying to do research could you point me in the right direction? I've talked to many AMA suspension guys and they all suggest Ohlins.
I could get a hell of a deal on Penske but wonder about the others, Elka, WP, and HyperPro?
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It's not the bike, it's the rider.
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1bad7
Expert Class
Posts: 388
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posted November 29, 2005 12:49 AM
I have the Elka(3-way) and I am more than happy with it as they were very personable and helped me through the whole time about getting the right shock for me, and it was cheaper than the Ohlins and I think works great, as the bike is completely transformed into a bike that will hold a line and put the power to the ground when I want it.
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bovinespongiformencephalo
Pro
variant Kreutzfeldt-Jakob
Posts: 1060
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posted November 29, 2005 07:12 AM
quote:
quote:
Penske is better than Ohlins. Do a little research. The concensus seems to be the Ohlins high speed compression adjuster is an ornament. There is also considerable overlap in the damping circuits that can make set-up a bitch. Most of these deficiencies can be overcome with a a trip to a good suspension shop for proper valving, but properly sprung the Penske works right out of the box. They are also easier to work on.
I am trying to do research could you point me in the right direction? I've talked to many AMA suspension guys and they all suggest Ohlins.
I could get a hell of a deal on Penske but wonder about the others, Elka, WP, and HyperPro?
I'd want an Ohlins too if I could get the hardware they supply the top AMA pros. Ohlins builds the best shit in the world, but they won't sell it to you. It's called name whoring. They build a reputation winning races with high end parts, and then sell a cast knock-off that is only just better than stock.
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philmy3rdleg
Expert Class
Posts: 209
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posted November 29, 2005 09:57 AM
I have an Ohlins 3-way and its nice. Better than stock for sure. You can get them for around $800.00 OTD from LE if you call them. My friend has an Elka 3-way and it is real nice looks real beefy and is easier to work on and you can get a 3-way for around $900.00 if you try. Now, my other buddy has a Penski its the ugliest and least stout of the three but its high speed compression works alot better than mine. And you can get on of those for about $1000.00 if you try real hard. Me, I would go with the Elka its real nice looking and works real good and you can get a good deal. My Ohlins low speed compression works great and so does the rebound even the external sag setter works pretty good, but the high speed compression is really an on off switch. Its either all the way right for ON, or all the way left for OFF, not really a between. But with the Elka and Penski you can make minor adjustments according to my friends.
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted November 29, 2005 04:21 PM
I did some reasearch a while back on shocks and what I decided on was the Elka, its cheaper than the Ohlins, its as good as the Penske, and a bit cheaper than it as well....I liked the looks of it and they are building a very good reputation for customer support and product reliability......check them out......
I will have Traxxion Dynamics go through the forks and put and Elka on the bike when I can afford it....
Doing the suspension will do far more for makeing you faster around a track or through twisties, than all the motor work in the world..... 
Besides, if you do motor work before the suspension, how are you gonna get it to the ground??? lol
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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Evander
Expert Class
Posts: 130
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posted November 29, 2005 10:34 PM
When I had the 04 I was about two weeks away from getting an Elka. I talked to them and their customer service was awesome, but everybody here in SoCal (suspension guys) suggest Ohlins and had nothing at all to say about Elka so I was doing a little more research before I buy this time. Elka's in the lead but I'm very happy with my HyperPro damper and I see they make a shock if it's as good as my damper it might be purchased. Anybody have an experience with the HyperPro shock?
And guys thanks for some great info.
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It's not the bike, it's the rider.
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1bad7
Expert Class
Posts: 388
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posted November 30, 2005 02:43 AM
I did alot of research before I bought my Elka, to include seeing who was using them. What I found out was that they are using them in BSB and the CSS is using them as is some of the world endurance teams. I've had mine on for about 4 months and been to different tracks, and I have nothing bad to say aobut it. Customer service was spot on and asked all the right questions to get me the right shock for ME. So all I did is take it out of the box and put it on. The only adjustment I've made is to the rear ride height, other than that perfect for me with great feel. Also HDL your 100% right, if the thing don't handle then all the HP in the world isn't going to win you any races in the twisty stuff.
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted December 01, 2005 03:55 AM
seems to me that the big name guys that have alot of money on hand are running Ohlins, guys that dont have as much money to blow are using the Penske and the Elka, and a few other off brands, but those 3 seem to be the most popular....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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zx1kr
Pro
Posts: 1301
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posted December 02, 2005 04:06 PM
I had Traxxion Do my fork on a recommendation from a fellow rider whom I respected their opinion, very happy w/the forks. Lindemann Engineering did the Penske 3-Way w/Ti Spring works Great. As far as my riding buddy keeping up. Like I said we ran pretty much neck & neck pre-suspension upgrade. After the suspension transplant, I left him & just kept pulling. Was able to carry more speed more confidently.
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zx1kr
Pro
Posts: 1301
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posted December 02, 2005 04:08 PM
Also, bike has Ohlins Damper. Wouldn't use anything else.
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zx1kr
Pro
Posts: 1301
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posted December 02, 2005 04:20 PM
Brembo Radial Master , Galfer Wave Rotors, EBC HH pads up front. Great feel, Very progressive, Just figured I'd throw in a few other things that help my 10 go a little better than the next guy.. Sorry to change up the thread.
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