I have a 2000 400ex, so does three of my good friends. Anyway, one of them just got triple rate Works with cans for the front. They seem to make a huge difference. I have 3 questions. 1) If a person had +2 A arms, wouldn't this give more travel, and if so, does it make a huge difference like shocks do? In the magazines, they only talk about cornering, not suspension handling. 2)Is there truely a difference between Custom Axis or PEP compared to Works? (If so, what is it) Everyone makes fun of Works but they seem awesome to me (compared to stock) 3)Is sending the stock shock off to PEP or somewhere the best deal, or is it better to buy a Works rear shock? I like to ride on MX tracks and I wish I could jump like the Videos, but my 30 year old joints can't do it with a stock 400ex. Help me build a Cadillac ride for my quad. For trails and small jumps (less than 4ft high airborne) my suspension is great, but once I get on the track, it sucks. I also have the shocks set up about as good as I can for factory shocks. I weigh 165lbs at 5"11" if that helps. Thank you. Mike Mazza

As far as quality, Axis is the best because all the parts are beefy and are chromed and annodized for extra durability. As far as performance, I have heard many racers say that works work just as good as the others, but reason why PEP's are liked allot by racers is that he is at the nationals so if you need to get a shock fixed, he's there to do it. I have heard that once inawhile works will blow out a seal, but I have yet to experience or see for myself any problems like that. But then a national racer I know said that the ZPS shocks have been bending shafts on occasion, so they could all break. All I know there is a racer here that runs a stock frame with works shocks, and he easily finishes in the top ten in the 250 Pro Class at the natonals when he goes.

It just depends, if you just ride and race a little locally, then works may be for you. If you run allot of nationals, then yes Axis are better, and PEP may also be what you want because he is there. At Redbud, The only time I saw Wayne (PEP Owner) come out of the trailer was to watch the pro class, so he keeps busy.

Hope this helps,

Sickman

Get the best of both world Get new TCS shocks they are works bodys that are custom built to you riding style and weight. Nac's, CT Racing and Graydon Proline have these shocks I got mine from Graydon Proline and love them check them out at http://www.graydonproline.com/ or call them and ask for Darryl he is always real helpful tell him Kevin Haynes told you to give him a call.
1-800-655-7762 The shocks are a little more than works but less than PEP or Custom Axis.

OK, here is the scoop on shocks. First of all the rear: Wayne(owner of PEP) said himself that the stock rear shocks on 250R's and 400ex's are as good as anything that he builds from scratch. All you need to do for the rear is get it rebuilt by somebody. That will save you over $300. Since it sounds like you are not a hardcore racer, you don't need to spend a ton of cash on shocks. I swear by Works shocks, I have had absolutely no problems with mine, I get excellent customer service and they don't take 8 months to get them like PEP's. If I had to wager a guess on which brand is the strongest it would have to be the Axis, but they are also the most expensive and overkill for your application. By what you wrote in your post, I can't believe that you are having problems with the stock shocks. You are not heavy and 4 feet is not "big air". Your problem could be in your technique. I have raced with Mike Maniaci(retired Pro 250 racer) and he uses a bone stock 400ex. I am sure that he jumps a lot bigger than you do(no offense) and he has never complained about his shocks. Anyway, don't buy the PEP. They may be good quality, but by the time you get them you will be too old to ride. It takes 8 months to get any PEP stuff, that is outrageous. I have a Pro level 250r and I am using Works Triple Rate front shocks and an Ultracross rear and they are awesome!! Call Pierre at Works Performance(he is an engineer) and tell him that Adam Raychel sent you(hopefully he remembers who I am!) He will get you set up and dialed in perfectly with some new shocks for a good price and a fast turn around. Actually, Works and PEP use the same internals but different springs. TCS are Works components but he uses shim stacks for the valving. Unless you ride strictly motocross you probably won't like the TCS shocks. For the best all around value, and funtionalability(I don't know if that is a real word) just give Pierre a call at Works and he will be glad to help.

you are right. 4 ft is not major air. I said that for trails where the max is 4 ft high the stock is great. Anything beyond sucks unless there is a landing ramp or a tabletop. I am the guy that has video of myself easily clearing my Explorer longways. There is a downside to this tabletop, otherwise, I wouldn't even think of it.

Ok, well you may want to spend a little more on shocks. It sounds like you ride a bit harder than I thought. Like I said before though, I use Works shocks on my 250R racer and they work really well. They are stiff enough for large jumps but plush enough for trail riding. I have a pretty good idea of what suspension needs to be to work well for me so I got mine setup perfectly. Of the $12000 that I have spent on my R, I think that the shocks were the most important part of that. I am sure you will be more than happy with any shocks you buy, but Works are reasonably priced and they work so you may want to check them out. By the way, you do get more wheel travel with longer a-arms. If you are looking for some arms, you may want to try the JD Performance arms. That is the first set of arms that I got and they work really well. The guy that makes them is a actually a welder at Laeger so I would say that he is qualified to make a good product.

Adam
'00 Arens/Laeger/CT 250R

I too am looking for some Works Triple Rate Shocks for my 400ex. I was wondering if the remote res's are all that much better and worth the cost. Also where is the cheapest place to get a pair, I am on a limited racing budget.

Thanks guys
Bill

I would have to agree with everything here. I too dealt with pierre for my works triple rates for my 250R. He listens to your needs and I was riding with my new shocks is less than 10 days!!! Go with the works you wont be sorry.
Dave

Depending on wheather you are full on motocross or not will tell you if you need cans or not. I did not get them, but I run mostly XC. However I do run some motocross just for fun each year and they have worked great. Although they are nice on the trail I can still get quite a bit of air on doubles and table tops without bottoming. Pierre basically said unless you are pounding on a serious motocross track for over 20 mins. save your money. Its 150$ dollar savings!!! Besides you can always put the cans on later.
Dave

Do the works triple rates w/ cans come with externally adjustable dampening (compression and rebound) and preload?