I'm new to this forum but I have read several of the threads and respect many of the opinions. I have started to modify my 400 ex. I have finished the engine work and now want to start on the front suspension. Any suggestions? Which shocks work best? I do a lot of desert trail riding and dune riding. Thanks for your help.

 

I put Works Performance Steelers with cans in front, and Ultracross in back. It's the best desert whoop eating bike I have ever ridden!!

 

Works if you're on a budget. Elkas, Pep, TCS, or Axis if you want the best. You can have your rear shock rebuilt/revalved and save a couple hundred bucks.

 

Thanks for the tip. Do you know if the bottom of the line PEP is still better than the works triple rate with rez? From what I can tell the price is not that much different so if the PEP is a better shock, it might be worth a few extra dollars.

Works = about 520 +
PEP = about 595

 

The bottom line of any of the above shocks should be a notch above the Works. Don't get me wrong, Works makes a good entry level aftermarket shock, but there are better.


The wait time on Pep shocks is usually about 6-8 months.

 

Hey, I heard that PEP gets its parts from Works! Look at them, they look real similar??????? They may have different valving, but outside........

 

Works and PEP are not the same. Although the bodies appear similar.

PEP uses Heim joints, 5/8" shafts, chrome bodies (so the crossover hardware slides more freely) and higher quality parts throughout - more care is supposedly taken with setup. Even though their bodies look much like Works, they don't appear to really be if you compare them side by side. Pep does use a check ball and spring valving like Works instead of the shim stack valving used by everyone else.

I've owned & raced on every major shock brand (2 sets of 16" PEP ZPS, 1 set of 19" PEP ZPS, 1 set of Elkas, 1 set of Axis, 1 set of Ohlins, 1 set of TCS, etc) and the shocks I currently run for my XC setup are a set of Works that have been customized with 5/8" shafts, hiems, custom springs, etc. My MX/12hr setup is a set of 19" PEP ZPS.

Shocks are all about the setup - not necessarily the hardware. Buying the most expensive will not always get you the best shock. Any half way decently setup aftermarket front shock should be a vast improvement over stock on a 400EX.

If you have the budget, a 19" front end will work well for what you're doing. 19" front shocks have a larger "sweet spot" and are more forgiving of errors made by the shock tuner. They also hold more fluid and will be less prone to fade. Do not fall for the "Long Travel" nonsense though - LT 19" front ends offer essentially the same amount of travel as a standard front end of the same width.