OK everyone,

I have a 2001 Scrambler with a 39PWK, HPD Trail pipe and a RCR Stage 1 kit. It runs great. It feels electirc and like it has fuel injection.

I dunno if it will out run a Raptor, Banshe or 400EX. I have yet to run across any of those. I do know if I get beat, it can't be by too much, because this thing pulls from idle to top end like a freight train. It maybe the Banshee is quicker and more nimble, the Raptor has more big end and the 400EX out motocross it. But none of them are the all around quad for Cross Crountry/Baja/Trail riding the Scrambler 400. I bet the DS/Baja 650 is, but it is a lot more mechanically complicated and expensive. So for me, the Scrambler is a good fit.

The question is I plan on porting, polishing, head work and fly wheel lighting the engine. But I want to improve the suspension, too. The quad has to handle good to use the new found power. So, is it better to invest into the suspension over the porting, polishing, head work and fly wheel lighting?

I am interested in the HPD suspension stuff, but it is $1000-$1100 for their suspension. They say it lowers the quad 1.5 inches, yet gets more shock travel overall. Also, they make the shocks progressive and say with their suspension, there is no better Cross Crountry/Baja/Trail riding quad. In corners, they say it is really good, no swaying at all.

In fact, Darrell reccomended I do the suspension after I did the pipe/carb/air box/clutch spring work. He said he would save the porting, polishing, head work and fly wheel lighting until I had a suspension to make full use of the additional power increase.

I was a professional Porche & Honda Motorcycle mechanic for years and Honda always felt the suspension was more important than the power. They are susspension centric. But they always got their butt kicked in races and cost the family homestead to beef up. Plus, they lose their reliability once you hop them up.

So I just dunno if I should grab the rest of the power I am trying to achieve for a cost of approx. $600-$700, or do the suspension thang for $1000-$1100 bucks.


Any opinions??

Chunky

PS. If it matters, I am 43 years old and a well balance big bore quad is what I am trying to get, but I dunno the best path to get there.

 

one thing you should consider is not only will suspension mods increase the handling of the bike but it will also make the bike SAFER!!... Im rebuilding my 250r into a duner and have so far investeted all my money into chassis and suspension..my theory is that in my case, my engine works perfectly well and can take me through the dunes at a sufficient rate of speed as is... now hill shooting is a different subject.. but then my thoery on hill shooting is you can spend bokoo bucks into your motor and still not be the fastest on the hill... soemone will always be there with something faster... and all this for what?? so you can win the pissing contest. another thing you can condider is that suspension mods are for teh most part a 1 time cost... where as you can put youir money into your motor once.. and continuosly keep puting money in for maintnance. so in conclusion if your looking to see where your money will make the most of itself.. put it in the suspension... then that component is done and said for, and then you can look into your costs of building AND maintaning your engine mods

 

Get on the HPD suspension wait list. The power boost you already have can only be fully enjoyed when your suspension works in symphony with it. I've gone many different avenues with my quad, and have learned to trust Darrell. Nothing can wake up these "recreational" machines into the "sport-performance" level like these shocks. Please don't make me say I told you so, because I can't stand when people say that to me.

Ken

 

I definetly would go for the suspension. You will be faster with the suspension and a less powerful motor than you will be with a faster motor and stock suspension. I did this with my race bike. Just switching to the aftermarket suspension I shaved several seconds off my lap times and was less fatigued after the race. After I lengthen My A-Arms and swingarm on my trail blazer the suspension will be my next mod.

What exactly is the HPD suspension setup? Do they make their own shocks/struts or are they using Fox or Works and then modifing them?

 

Yes HPD makes shocks from Fox parts for aggressive trail riding. They claim theirs is cheaper and better than using Fox stuff manufactured by Fox.

Anyone have any ideas what shocks are good anbd their price??

Chunky

 

I know a few people that have gone with the works struts, and sent the stock rear fox to PEP to have it revalved. the works struts are $290 for the set, and to have the rear revalved was like $100 if I remeber correctly. So, for around $400 you could have a good setup using the stock springs. Now I don't know if the HPD comes with springs too and if they are different rates or not. I also don't know if you could buy variable rate springs from works or not to get some sag. I have seen that Hot Seat Performance sales a dual rate srping set up but I don't know how good this is and if its worth the money.

It would be interesting to see how the works setup compares with the HPD set up and what the differences are.

 

HPD has dual rate (progressive) springs on the front and rear. The rear has a remote canister and is adjustable for the dampening. The rear also has spring adjustment for stiffness.

So, HPD sells their's for $1050 or approx $350 each. It includes dual rate springs, and adjustable dampening and stiffness for the rear, plus a remote gas canister.

You said that Fox Works sell just their shocks for $290 a set, no dual rate springs included. I also don't know the price for a rear Fox shock.

Plus how much is 3 sets of dual rate (progressive) springs? I know that is a must.

So, I guess it appears the HPD's are a better solution, but I don't know if they are a better value.

How about, anyone have expertise or knowledge on this discussion??

Chunky

 

Here are the Prices from Hot Seat Performance on the Fox Struts/Shocks

Front $260 pair
Rear $200
Dual Rate Spring Kit $300
PEP Revalve on Fox Rear Shock $100

For a total Cost of $860

Works Performance Struts/Shocks

Front $240 pair
Rear $450
Dual Rate Spring Kit $300

For a total Cost of $990

Fox would cost $860
Works would cost $990
HPD would cost $1050

The nice thing about the HPD and works setup is that they are valved for your weight and riding ability.

I would like to hear from someone that has the HPD or works setup and how they perform.

 

Well, since you have been a car racer, I will put it to you like this. You know that you could have a car, with tons on power and torque, but if the suspension and chasis is like a geo metro, then it will not do you any good, cause you won't be able to handle the power.
At the same time, you could the set-up like an indy car, but have no power, so what is it going to help having one or the other. I see you already have a few mods, and it seems to be a sweet machine. Why not put some money in the suspension, you will be quicker, maybe not through the straight aways, but through the corners and stuff. If you port and polish the thing, you will have a fast machine, but all you will be good at is straight line, and you will get whipped everywhere else, unless you are an expert rider, not saying you aren't, i don't know.
But that is how I race my Magnum against the Sportsman, I spank him through the corners, but he comes back in straighaways, but I always win, cause there are more curves than straighstretches.

 

I did a little research on Fox Shocks. I called them and they do not sell any ATV shock but OEMs they make. He said if I wanted a Fox Shock to call Polaris (or Handa, Yamaha, etc...) and order the factory one that came on it as an OEM shock.

But, he said HotSet sells some and to call them. So I went to their website and saw they sell Fox Shocks and progressive springs. They DO NOT sell any rear shock for 2000 thru 2002 Scramblers/Sportsman/Xploerer. Only pre-2000 models. I think in 2000 is when Polaris put Fox Shocks on their quads. Am I correct? Anyway, HotSeat has no rear shock for my quad. The ones they show on the website looks like my OEM shocks from Polaris, but who knows if they have the same guts? They sell theirs for $200. It does not have a dual rate spring.

HotSeat sells front Struts (shocks) for $260 a pair, plus they sell progressive springs for those struts for $300 a pair. That comes to a total of $560 a set or $280 each. Has anyone tried these front springs/struts?

It appears HPD is a little more pricey $1050 vs $760 for front and rear suspension. HPD does match the suspension to my body weight, I dunno if HotSeat does. HotSeat doesn't answer their phone.

Now I can't get a rear shock from HotSeat, but I used their $200 price tag for comparision for the pre-2000 Polaris'. I have a 2001 Scrambler. HPD is approx 30% higher ($1050 vs. $760), but seem to offer more value.

Geez, I hate to spend $1050 for suspension. I sure would like $600-$800 better, but not if the suspension is only marginally better than stock (OEM).

Anyone else researched this or tried aftermarket shocks?? Are there any other solutions?

Chunky