ok, since i have learned to handle the speed and power of the raptor..i am finding out that the shocks on the raptor are not quite up to par with my riding style...they are ok in the trail..but on a MX track with big jumps and whoops...i am constaintly bottoming out the suspension...i have adjusted the rear compression and preload...but i still have the bottoming out problem...the compression adjustment on the stock shock...doesnt really improve the performance of the shock...so i need some aftermarket shocks...i want the zero preload type...and i am leaning toward PEP...my question is this....."who sells these shocks?"...i have looked on the internet...but i havent had any luck...maybe i am blind...or clueless...i havent found any distributors who sell either the TSC or PEP zero preload shocks....please someone give me a clue....thanks
herbon out....

 

I don't know much about PEP, but can tell you that I love my Elkas. TCS used to use Works shocks that they converted, but the Elkas are so much superior, that now they are using Elka shocks instead of Works. From what I've heard though, if you get the TCS shocks, you won't get the nice looking anodized coating that you get on the Elkas and I'm not sure if you'll get the better hydraulic line like you get with the Elkas. If that isn't enough to at least look at the Elkas, consider that you'll pay more for the TCS than Elkas also.

Now if I gave out a website on who sells them, I would be advertising, so I can't do that. My suggestion is to do talk to some of the other guys who have Elkas and watch for upcoming ads right hear on the ATV Connection Website.

 

Buy a dirtwheels magazine. Quite a few companies sell both the PEP and TCS shocks. I am getting ready to buy some but I am going with the Elka's.

 

Denton racing sells the TCS as cheap as anyone, and Mark baldwin did a good job on my ZPS. I've had both and here's my opinion. My ZPS 250R front shocks were great, but the back packed up too easily, and adjusting the rebound faster only made it kick more. Don't get me wrong, they're worlds better than stock. On my raptor I bought the new TCS shocks and I can tell you the fronts feel just as good as the ZPS, and I think the rear shock works better,(just slightly though) and it's just a rebuild. so here's the question, equal shocks, TCS=1300$ front and rear rebuild, ZPS 1900$, front and rear? And yes, my new TCS DOES have the sweet anodized bodies. Elka? If they offer the same dampening stacks as TCS, and they're cheaper, get them, but I went with a proven tuner in Denton, and am very satisfied

 

Raptor18,

Pictures would be neat if you have them. You can just e-mail them to me if you can.

Yes, Elka does, like TCS and Custom Axis, use the shim stack type of valving.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures yet, but I may post a few of my entire Quad soon, after I get my motor kit and final decals before next years nationals. Any questions, let me know!

 

TCS is avalible at CT Racing which fine tune these shocks for raptors, there's a link on the left side of the page that says "Raptor"

 

gentlmen i would like to thank you for your replies...all your suggestions helped alot...i will prolly go with the elka's...due to function and price...i went to my practice track saturday...and turned the raptors stock suspension compression up all the way....and i still have problems with bottoming out...i fly the my raptor flat and smooth...no nose diving or the such...in my honest opinion the raptors suspension is great for trails and the occasional whoop or two...but for full blow mx tracks...two thumbs down...my wife told me that when i was landing it sounded like the wheels where going to fall off....i told her in response to that....hey for only around $1600 i could land nice and smooth...she almost fell outta my truck...hehehehe....anyway...thanks for the responses...as for all the comparisons i have read and researched...between PEP'S, TCS'S AND ELKA'S zero preload shocks...elka's win my money....they all pretty much do the same things in slighty different ways to achieve the same results...so as a consumer...i have to look at the bottom line..."price"...and elka wins it...if i have missed something in my research of these shocks...please shut it out to me.....herbon out...

 

you should find some one in your area who sell's motocross gear and get them to become a dealer,then negotiate a price with them , that is what i did, i got the tcs fronts and a converted rear and i like them alot,i am conteplating on selling the set so i can get a set of axis all the way around,you should ride a set f those then decide,as far as the elka's go i realy don't dig the different coloed anodized bodies but that is just my thoughts i have the old style tcs shocks,tcs went with the elka bodies and still pay the same price as they did with the works bodies, are you running a plus size on your a-arms or swing arm? oh yeah how much do you weigh? i had mine set up for 190lb rider c class motocross an i can bottom mine out on the little stuff and on the big stuff it won't bottom or has failed to do so,the post earlier said their shocks pack up, this is a characteristic of zps style shocks , but the trade off is ok , when you think of the lower ride heght and the emense travel increase you get,i can send you some pictures of the shocks in action,oh yeah the rear shock is the one that will pack up, as mentioned earlier