Recently, I dogged my Prairie on this forum because it doesn't like to rock crawl like my Sportsman. In defense of the Prairie, check out the photos on this web page:

Rock Patrol

 

WOW. Even running w/ the stock tires......

 

I love to crawl on mine it fights me a little when we get on a 42 degree one that is 15 feet high. Sometimes it just lays down. But all and all thats where my passion lies. I just cant get my buddy on his sportsman to do it. Yeah I trashed my original wheels but had a good time doing it. Yeah his is 96 sportsman still looks like new, mine 6months old looks like a DUI gone Bad. Just having fun.

Weight vs Power? I'll settle for a little more power please!


2003 P650 red
Richochet full skid
28" 589's w 1 1/4 lift kit
Holeshot mod
1200 superwinch

 

I put Elka's springs up front with the lowest preload and the short end of the spacer down. I crawl the North GA mountains and bottom out rarely. I noticed it does the rock crawling thing much better due to the dual rate using 2 springs on each side. When approaching a rock on one side the size of a bowling ball it gobbles it up much better before that side lifts than with the OE springs. When going from OE tires to ATR's the ride got a little firmer with the OE springs. Upon adding the Elka's the ride almost returned to the OE tire plushness without the nose diving and tire roll under and virtually no bump steer. I don't do much performance riding so I like the softest preload setting for now. It is a measurable improvement over stock when I do get spunky.
I found the machine (03 P650) handles much better when I'm most forward on the seat and lean forward over the inside handle bar grip as much as possible, instead of the cafe racer style of hanging the but off to one side. I run 4.5 psi up front and 4 psi on the rears.

 

TheRock, that's exactly what I've been looking for. How much are these springs going to cost me? Two springs on each side? How do they mount? Side by side, or one atop the other?

 

They shipped to me for 217.00 total. Go to their site. Call and ask for (not sure on the spelling) Yon. He will ask about your weight, tires and accessories, as well as riding style.
Why so much more than "Progressive Suspension's"? Well they do make progressive springs but not for the P650. They are just a straight 600 lb spring to eliminate the roll & dive. I know. I called them first and asked for the figures on the variable rate and was informed.
The Elka's are a stacked dual spring setup. I believe the short spring is rated @ 80 lbs and the longs are 600 lb. The spacer or coupling that holds them on top of one another has two lengths. Put the long end down and the travel for the bottom (short) spring will stop sooner bringing the long stiffer spring into play sooner. And of course there is a threaded adjuster for preload settings.
I did not go with Progressive Suspensions set up because I did not want just a stiffer front end. I told Yon flat out, "If these springs, set at the softest preload are firmer than the OE, I do not want them!" He assured me I would be satisfied and would refund me if I were not. I love them.

For my full review and install notes do a search in my name or under Elka here.

 

WileyCoyote,

I'll be in L.A. for a week the last week of Jan on a business trip. The meetings and Lodgeings are in Van Nuys, if there is any thing I should know, good or bad, or suggestions let me know. Going to be looking for some fresh grilled Tuna or Salmon. PM me for an email address.