shocks

[Paladin]

are the Elka shocks worth spending $800 on?

I can see on the RS for those guys who like going fast but are they worth it on a touring bike?

[Bob Denman]

Very good question...
What are your current suspension settings up front?
I bumped the preload up just one notch and it made enough of a difference for me that the Elkas; while great, seemed to not be required...
So where are you at now?

[Paladin]

I have it set to the stiffest setting and have the air pressure around 17.5-18lbs

most of the time it is fine, it just seems to dive alot if I go into a corner fairly hard.

since I live in a mountainous area there are lots and LOTS of curves and corners

when we go over speed bumps the front end goes over hard then the back sorta floats as I have it set a bit softer for the wife. I sometimes stiffen it up when I am alone

[Bob Denman]

It sure sounds to me as if the Elkas will find a happy home in your future!
I was happy with how mine felt with bumping it one notch... but everybody has their own ideas of what "great" feels like!
Do you need any (working! ) links to folks who know and sell them?
I know a couple of folks worth contacting...

[Corybud]

On my RS the Elka's really smoothed things out plus the cornering improved greatly so I would say that they are worth it. When I ordered mine they talked to me about my riding style and weight plus the weight of my wife so that they could taylor the shocks to me.

For example there is a very rough section of pavement on my way home and I had the stock shocks set all the way up so I could handle corners. Going across that rough section you could really feel it. With the Elka's you see the wheels moving but the bike stays planted and you don't feel the bumps. With the Elka's I can pull into a corner much faster, feel completly secure and hold the line I set going into the corner. Very cool feeling.

Yes they are spendy but knowing what I know now they are the first thing I would have done if I had it to do over again.

[Paladin]

so you got yours directly from Elka?

I would getting mine thru my shop as I get a nice discount .. they would normally be $900 + but I can get them for about $725 ish

having the shucks set uo for us would be nice. I find over bumps the front (my end) is a bit rough where as wife (back end?) is much better with the air shock.

but it is the diving in the corners I find disconcerting

which model did you get.. I saw there are ones with resiviors and all sorts of stuff

my shop is recommending the more or less basic shock

[Corybud]

Elka told me that unless you are into racing that the basic two way front schocks are the way to go on the front. I did buy mine directly from Elka but you should be fine as long as the dealer gets the information to pass on to Elka. They need to know your weight and would want them to know for sure that the shocks are going on an RT. Mine took a tad over three weeks to get.

[Paladin]

I am still playing with the idea

I will have to wait until after I get my trailer all done and see how much cash/credit I have left over

[AndyIsRiding]

We do a lot 2 up ryding and replaced the shocks on our 2010 RT with Stage1+ elkas and are very happy with them.

You adjust them to your needs, we have ours set at 18 clicks and my wife does not complain about the byke leaning over in corners.

Andy