which shock should i go for. i have a tecate 4 with a bored motor and wider rims, my shocks are pretty much shot though. what kind should i go for. i know works are good, but what about axis and other companies that produce them?? i do some trail riding, i'm gonna race at the motocross next season, and i love to jump, i was thinking a dual rate spring, possibly a triple, but i know know if i would need that much.. help me out guys.

 

I think for your application, works would be good. Axis would require more maintenance than you want to deal with. As for the spring choices, its up to how aggressive you will be riding and how well you want it to handle the jumps/bumps.

 

I disagree with Chawness. I Have works front triples on my R, and an AXIS rear shock. The works have been more maintanence. I have a seal thats going bad, and its leaking fluid, and the shocks are almost one season old. The axis hasn't a problem. I would go with custom axis. Oh yeah, triple rate will be a softer ride. The extra spring just allows for a more soft progression in the low stages of travel. It doesn't have much effect on the big jump handling ability.

 

Between 2 friends and I we all have Works triple rates on our R's. I have had mine for about 2 years and ride in ALL conditions. None of us have touched our shocks yet or had any problems with them, we all race MX and use them in winter too. We all run shock covers also.
ERIC

 

I suggest TCS, I had a set of works on my R for a half season (triple rate with rez) and they were ok, but I got some sponsorship money and decided to go with some zero preload type shocks, so I got the TCS fronts and they are AWESOME. They in my opinion are way better quality than works, plus they let the bike sit lower, which means it corners much better (you were hesitant about your handling with the tecate earlier I believe). Anyway, I havent been able to bottom the TCS no matter, what, my frame has actually bottomed out twice before the shocks could bottom, they have that much travel! I just got a new TCS rear for my R as well, but havent installed it yet, I am sure however that its even better than my TCS fronts as its a newer version with bigger shafts and stuff.

 

It all depends. If you plan on keeping the quad for awhile (You state I want a 400EX at the bottom) then I'd seriously recommend buying something better than works. Works are a cheap replacement and everybody I know who has run them (Including myself) have to send them back at least once because they seem to always set the damping too soft on the fronts.

I personally run Legacy ATV's Rhino racing shocks and they are awsome. I race Open A and Open Pro-Am at the nationals and they get the job done!!! They are like TCS, but he uses Custom Axis internals and reserviors and he actually goes to the races so he knows how to set them up properly. He also is a Custom Axis builder so he can set you up with them also. Plus they are very quick at building and rebuilding them.

What I recommend is go with better than works if you can and if you plan on keeping the quad for awhile. If you are seriously wanting and planning to get something different in the near future, then go with the cheaper works to get you by and spend the money on the other quad. Plus by the way Legacy also sets up works shocks, so if John builds them for you, they won't be too soft like they normally would be. So give Legacy a call and tell them Sickman sent ya.

Good Luck,

Sickman

 

Hey Sickman,

Off the subject, but since you race open A, do you know Tanner Strohm? He finished 8th this year. Anyway, I was just wondering as we are friends and ride together a lot.

 

Sickman.. How does it feel to get your quad in a big name magazine? I must say that you are smarter than I am. I could never figure out all the stuff you have!

I have Works on my shee, I love them. I havent ever touched them, other than adjusting them for the +2 A-Arms. I am looking for some longer shock covers though.. Anyone know where I can get some for the Works Duals w/threaded preloads?

 

Well if you plan on keeping the bike and racing mx next season I would suggest TCS. The new triple rates are sweet and I can get you a bad as@ deal, $750 shipped to your front door. They are the best no-pre-load shock for the money, and the wait right now is only about 3 weeks, give or take. If you are just starting mx you do not need Custom Axis, although they are the best shock that you can buy, they may not be the best shock for you(and your bank account) at this point. If you are serious or just have questions about the TCS email me and I can hook you up with a number. Thanks, Chris

 

About those Works shocks.....
I have Works triple rates on the front of my 400EX, and the shaft on one of them just bent a full 90 degrees, tearing the mount off of my lower A-arm. I will admit that I am a jumping fiend, but on most jumps I usually don't go much bigger than 10 feet in the air without landing on a downslope of some kind. On the jump that did the shock in I came down from about that height onto a slight downslope (It was a dune jump). I have had those shocks on the quad for less than a year. I can't tell exactly what caused the shock to bend, but my best guess is at full droop the shock bound up and refused to compress upon landing. Does anybody have any experiance with PEP shocks? I am considering the PEP triple rates to replace my broken Works.

Mitch Hill
00' 400EX, FMF pipe, works performance shocks,(not anymore I guess)