Rear shock / Elka

Some time ago I posted for any info on what folks were doing for rear shocks. At 15+K miles, the shock on my '03 ABS is losing damping: the bike wallows badly in whooped corners.

Did a bunch of research, came up with the usual mix of CBR600 and the like mods. I just don't see how it is cost-effective and effective to mount a shock of different length and built for a bike with a totally different weight. You'd need to mod the damping and spring rate, and then do something about the shock length.

Wilbers I know from my Connie, great shock, but Klaus at WilbersUSA is no longer importing. And took a few days to respond on the Hyperpros he is selling now: why not put pricing and options on the web?
Plus the full-option (other than ride-height) version I had on the Conc cost over $1K 2.5 years ago when the Euro / $$$ rates were much more favorable..

Ohlins works, expensive, and a supplier told me that their high / low speed damping adjustment didn't really work. And I wanted that, having had it on the Concours.

Penske looks like a quality shock, again expensive.

Then I came across Elka, made in Canada, has an excellent reputation in the off-road market, and is expanding fast into the street sector.

And a group buy on vfrdiscussion, which saved about 20% off the list price, that I just managed to squeak in on the back of...

Comes with hi/lo speed damping adjustment, remote preload, rebound and ride height. For $200 less delivered than my last Wilbers, seemed like a deal to me...

Now to wait and see. I'll probably need to gold-valve and respring the forks, looking for a cost-effective supplier there as well. Once that is all done, should be able to set the VFR up for total bumpy backroad fun... :)
_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

One set of 4th gen mirrors complete with rubber boots, metal base plates, rubber base gaskets and fasteners. Both mirrors and housings are in excellent condition and came off a '97 with 4k miles. Photos available. $60 shipped within 48 contiguous states.

Cole

_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr