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Elka shocks

7908 Views 27 Replies 16 Participants Last post by  Rockhead
I was thinking of upgrading my stock shocks, 2014 Outlander 800XT MAX. Im kind of tired of the front end dive and almost rolling it over when I turn a low speeds, the back tires come right off the ground. I was thinking of ELKAS, not sure what stage. I dont ride hard, more less touring with passengers. I use it alot for moving boats, snowmobile trailers w/ sleds on, and have tracks for icefishing in the winter, and plow snow with a the Alpine flex. I use the front 2' receiver hitch most of the trailer moving. I also have a 20 gallon sprayer on the back for occasional summer spraying. Where is the best place to buy from in US? Price and service? Also for the guys/gals that own them or have had them for a long time, how is the rebuild process? Do they have to be sent back to Elka? How long to they last before needing recharging/building? I did my own shocks on my Polaris and Arctic Cat snowmobiles once or twice a year depending on snow, every 1000 miles. Thanks
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I have Elkas on mine not sure exactly which ones lol. Pm me as a reminder and I can check. I will say this is the best riding atv I have ever been on. I would think most aftermarket shocks are going to be far better than stock.
The Elka stage 3s are still on sale for $1199 if you act fast, best price guaranteed. You can have them rebuilt at many shock places if you don't want to send them back to Elka for service. I have stage 4s and couldn't be happier.

Legacy Steel Series Front & Rear Shocks Kit for Sports-Utility Quads | Elka Suspension
About 500 miles ago, I put on a set of Elka stage 4 for $1,200, they're noisy as you can hear the spring cross over spacer rub on the threaded body, you can hear/feel a clunk when the front shocks reach full extention, but worst of all, I can't seem to fell a difference over the stock XT shocks.
About 500 miles ago, I put on a set of Elka stage 4 for $1,200, they're noisy as you can hear the spring cross over spacer rub on the threaded body, you can hear/feel a clunk when the front shocks reach full extention, but worst of all, I can't seem to fell a difference over the stock XT shocks.
Have you contacted Elka about your problems? How much experience do you have with these type of shocks (adjustable)?

I'm picking up my Elkas from Fedex today and definitely don't want to be as disappointed as you.
Handling is definitely better, no diving, ultra easy install. Just a bit of spring noise that WD-40 doesn't help. Stage 1s $995 2007 Outlanguish 800 XT
For $200 you can fix all your issues by simply installing heavier coil springs! Elka shocks will be much better in hard fast riding conditions, but they aren't designed to do heavy work. If you simply want more capability to work it, then just get heavier coil springs. The shock itself does NOTHING for weight support, the coil spring does that. The shock just absorbs the impact of the bumps you hit.
About 500 miles ago, I put on a set of Elka stage 4 for $1,200, they're noisy as you can hear the spring cross over spacer rub on the threaded body, you can hear/feel a clunk when the front shocks reach full extention, but worst of all, I can't seem to fell a difference over the stock XT shocks.
Where did you buy the shocks? If you bought it from classified ads, most of the time, you'll be disappointed because they're built according to rider preference and its weight.

Maybe they need adjustements? Are they adjustable? Maybe you need to change the spring...

You can't be disappointed with Elka shocks when well adjusted.

I have Stadium Shocks (Elka's competitor) and indeed, you can sometimes hear clunks and hear the springs, but since CAN-AM are so noisy, you won't even notice it ... :pi_tongue: Other than that, they are MUCH better than stock XT shocks.
For $200 you can fix all your issues by simply installing heavier coil springs! Elka shocks will be much better in hard fast riding conditions, but they aren't designed to do heavy work. If you simply want more capability to work it, then just get heavier coil springs. The shock itself does NOTHING for weight support, the coil spring does that. The shock just absorbs the impact of the bumps you hit.
I called the dealer, they are going to check if there are any HD springs for the 14 Max.
I have Elka stage 2s on my 2014 800 Max. It takes a little bit of effort to dial them in. For 1, setting the preload so there is just the right amount of sag. Then there is dialing up the rebound.
I got killed before on rough fast rides. Now, the Elkas work the best at speed. There is almost no noticeable roll in the corners or dive when breaking. I have yet to bottom them even on the worst hits. There are not as soft on slow rock crawling rides, but they did give me a couple of more inches of ground clearance. I weigh 210lbs and carry about 20lbs of gear and I have 3.1 main springs all around. If you weigh less you can go with 2.7 main springs for a softer ride.
The poster clearly stated that he doesn't ride aggressive, rather slower with passenger, hauling and working his machine. Elka's will be complete OVERKILL for his needs. All he needs is stiffer springs, the shocks do NOTHING for weight carrying capability.

Please save your money and just get heavier springs thats what you really need. Elka's are cool, but they won't help your weight support issue unless you throw the heavier springs on them, so they are just a waste of a couple thousand dollars honestly in this situation.
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x2^^^ Might even just try a 1" pipe lift. I ran a 1.5 on the front and it stiffened thing up quite nicely. Very cheap and effective. :smilietwocents:
I put on a set of HD Springs right from BRP. It was $80 for the front set. No more diving in the front and WAY cheaper then Elkas. I would recommend.
I put on a set of HD Springs right from BRP. It was $80 for the front set. No more diving in the front and WAY cheaper then Elkas. I would recommend.
Researching with dealer, so far no HD springs from BRP for 14 Outty Max.
You don't need machine specific springs, but that would be easy. Im sure the HD springs from an outlander shorty would be the same springs and fit as long as they use the same cheapo shocks!

Don't give up because a dealer says no. Most dealers are clueless for finding parts that aren't the exact same factory replacements.
The rear springs on a Max have a different part number than the shorty. When I looked, the front springs were the same parts numbers for shorty and max. The HD springs should work on either.
ok, here is what I found, OEM made for the G2 Max Outlander

BRP is now offering heavy duty suspension springs and 2 choices of shock kits that are factory developed for the customer who wants a firmer ride.

Available Kits, Options, (1)Heavy duty front springs (2)Stiffer spring for heavier loads, less body roll when cornering715 003 199. Option 2 (1)Heavy duty rear springs (2)Stiffer spring for heavier loads715 003 200. Option 3 (2)Pre-assembled FOX shocks and springs (4)Slightly stiffer with threaded preload adjuster715 001 471. Option 4 (3)Pre-assembled FOX HPG 2.0 Podium RC2 Piggyback shocks and springs (4)Fully adjustable, dual compression high performance springs and shocks715 003 201. (1) Options 1 and 2 can be used together. (2) This kit is in already available in the 2015 Can-Am Off Road Parts and Accessories catalog. (3) This kit will be available in June 2015. Individual parts are available in the 2015 Outlander suspension parts list.


Springs are about $100 a pair.

Fox kit (471) is about $580, I understood this to be all 4 shocks and springs.

I think I will try the springs, it cant be any worse, right:th_smiliethumbsup:
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Springs will be your answer! :th_smiliethumbsup:
Springs will be your answer! :th_smiliethumbsup:
Great! I can use the extra money I was going to spend on Elkas, and get different clutches.:th_smiliedance:
Good plan!
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