A wider setup, better shocks and a stronger axle allow for a couple of things. Bigger jumps, faster cornering and better straight-line stability.

Check my page and you'll see my setup, and also the tight corners I have to deal with on my practice track. I never get tippy. My buddy just bought an '03 raptor that looked like it came off the dealer floor with no hours. We took turns riding each other's bike on my track, and it was unbelievable.

The stock machine is in good form, but the stability and suspension can be pushed beyond its limits. He absolutely raved about my machine. The upgrades are definitely worth it. Making big leaps on his machine were painful. I can flat-bottom my triple jump and my table top comfortably. Just landing on the flat of the tabletop was harsh on his machine. And cornering was almost always a two-wheel operation, at least at speeds I'm now used to.

Go for the upgrades, they're worth it. I recommend the pro-series triple rates. The fully adjustable dual-rate rear is also a huge improvement over stock. Just be careful which axle you go with. The durablue's are a.k.a. the 'dura-snaps'. Lonestars are fairly strong, but do bend and often loosen up. For the money, RPM is the way to go.

 

IMO

You get the most bang for the buck by widening the back. 2.5" spacers are a cheap alternave to a wider axle. I have beat the living tar out of mine for the last 2 years without a problem.

The front end is free to sway, so wideing the front doesn't help that much for cornering...It helps...just not as much as widening the back. The benifits of widening the front are felt at higher speeds. She feels more stable. But, the main benifit of + a-arms is more travel and a better ride. You got to do the shock thing to get the most out of it.

Also, IMO...Unless you are an MX racer, Rezzies are for show. I have never felt my Works shocks fade during hard recreational riding.

 

A wider axle does rob hp, so does an extended swingarm. But the train of thought is that the handling benefits outweigh the power loss.

If you are going to go cheap with the axle (g-force) and the a arms, why spend 500+ for works? Get a set of yfz shocks for 150-250. If necessary, have them revalved and you will still have better shocks that works with more adjustments for less $$$. Master raptor is right though, unless you are running harescrambles, desert or mx rezzies are purely for show.

Wheel spacers are fine for dunes and casual riding, but start bumping into stuff on a trail or getting some air and they will show thier disadvantages. Rear wheel spacers are anywhere from 90 bucks to over 200 depending on where you get them and what kind. A set of offset rims will do almost the same thing. I wont get into front spacers or offset wheels as that idea has been covered many times.

 

I had the same set-up on my Raptor, take a look at my pics. The Works Trip Rate with rez is a good shock if you're on a budget, but not adjustable for compression and rebound. If you can aford it, go with the adjustable shocks. Don't change your rear shock unless you are going to spend some serious coin and get a top of the line shock. The stock rear shock on the Raptor is pretty good and I believe it's adjustable but not sure.
I had 2 1/2" spacers on the back and never had a problem. Again, not bad if you're on a budget.

 

well, price wise, the axle i found for 200$ with a 1 year warranty, and +2 +1 a-arms for 330 with a Lifetime warranty.

 

I think I know whats going on here...Hes not sayin it as the common known abreviation(JK=Just Kidding),its his inicials.
jtk23,you gotta understand that is kinda confusing... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

sorry bout that!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

jtk23

 

If anyone is curious as to what that setup would look like, you can check out my pics.....I have +2 a-arms with offset wheels and 2+2 durablue axle, w/ works triple rate shocks on the front and ohlin rear. It rides like a cadillac. Only time I'm on 2 wheels is when I wanna be!!!!

JTK23

 

what shocks do u have? the works triple rate with rezzies? or just the triple rate springs? thanks--Rider1169

 

Triple rate with rez..........

JTK23