My quad has the Arvins front shocks. I am not very impressed with the ride they give. I wondered if they would break in and become more plush? The rear Ohlins is great. If they won't get any better, I would like to know if you have to have wider a arms to accomodate longer travel shocks. Also, what kind of price range am I looking at for Peps or Elkas?

Thanks

 

They say they do soften up after time. I have the Ohlin fronts.

Alaska was selling his front Ohlins for $400. PEPS will run in the $600 range, and Elka's will be in the upper $800 range.

 

I have Ohlin fronts and they were EXTREMELY stiff to begin with. I moved the "ring stop" clip thing up 2 notches (someone else could explain it better... I don't know the actual names of stuff) and set it on the stiffest setting and now they're broken in, softer, and the front end is lower. I used to hate the front shocks but now that I'm beginning to "trust" them more and they are more plush, I'm actually beginning to like them. I used to always land with my front end up to high because it used to hurt when I didn't because the shocks were to stiff, but like I said, they are broken in and I moved the ring stop up a couple of notches and they are actually pretty darn good. Now I just need a little more sag in the rear shock and some smaller rear tires, and the Dale will be pretty low. I'm gonna wait w/ the rear shock though until I get a new pipe... the stocker is so big and seems to have hit the brake calipper and I'm afraid it will become a problem if the rear shock has more sag.

Sorry, I kind of got somewhat off subject but I thought I would just share some of my general shock experience on the Dale incase you, or anyone else, wanted to know.

P.S. Almost all of my riding is done on the tracks so I have given the shocks a good workout.

 

BlackBird1100XX- While the Arvins are good shocks for a stock quad they will never be able to perform like aftermarket shocks. What kind of riding do you do? PEP ZPS style shocks cost around $895 and the Elkas can vary. If you shop around you can find the Elkas for a good price. You do have to have long travel a-arms to accomodate long travel shocks, but you can get aftermarket shocks that will bolt up to the stock a-arms and work ten times better that the Arvins. It want be too much more overall travel but the ride will be alot smoother.

 

We got our quads about the same time- 2 weeks ago. I also have the Arvins. They are definitely stiff. My preload is in the middle position right now. Before I do any more riding, I'm going full soft. I weigh about 180. I'm also going to soften the rear a little, but the front is real tight. My bro' has a "broke-in" Cannibal with the Ohlin's, and compared to anything else I've ever ridden(Banshee, Raptor, 400EX, my Cannibal, Warrior), the shocks are awesome! He needs just a little more preload to stop the bottoming, but they are great! Very comfortable, very confidence inspiring. I loved jumping that thing when my 'dale was dead on the trailer. When he first got his, he too complained about the stiff shocks- not anymore! Hopefully the Arvin's will break-in like the Ohlins did.
What do you weigh and where are yours set?

 

I weigh 200, and I also think they are stiff. My real complaint is, if I come down a hill too fast, I can bottom them relatively easy. I'm talking about a pretty steep hill. I haven't had any problems while jumping, because 99% of the time my rear tires hit first, and the back shock soaks up the landing. I do alot of woods riding, but I want enough suspension to be plush, without ever bottoming (within reason). The trails I ride are wide, so a little extra width won't hurt me too much. My next question is, should I get the axle too?

 

I have to agree about the front Ohlins shocks. They were stiff, but I was able to bottom them on some landings that I didn't think I should have. I am 235lbs, so that might have had something to do with it, but who knows. I knew I had to upgrade my suspension in order to have a chance at MX racing competitively, so I ordered the Elkas front and rear and can't stress enough how satisfied I am with them. They are a night and day difference over the stock Ohlins, but again they are valved and sprung for my weight and riding style. I raced them for the first time on Sunday and they felt really good, didn't bottom and even saved me on a bad landing once. I paid 1330.00 for the front triple rates w/piggyback rezzies, SSD and SSD rear w/remote rezzie. Hope this helps....JIM