07/08 RMK IFS shocks

[Sundance Kid]

The std production 5 dollar shocks on my sleds are shot and I'm looking for replacements.
Don't want to go with air shocks from all the problems people describe and the price but I'm not finding many alternatives.
I see that the 06 RMK's used a rebuildable Ride FX shock that has the same 17" c-c distance.
What kind of experiences have people had with this shock?

How would a longer, 18" c-c shocks work?
Does the extra inch really change things up and cause other problems?

I've also heard that some mtn riders have been using the needle valve Walker Evans shock off of the race sled with pretty good success after revalving.
Any input for a good, REBUILDABLE OIL shock would be appreciated.

Planning on getting some Ride FX rebuildables for the rear skid, when the rear one becomes available from Ride FX again!!!
Been on backorder since August and getting a little impatient.

 

[Scoutin Wyo]

I going to give these a try.

http://www.tricityperformance.net/eshopprod_cat_2332-18092-18093-18096_product_858348.WALKER_EVANS_IQ_16_CLICK_SKI_S.htm

Ohlins also makes some 17" shocks. Or the fox zero pros off M's are like 17.5".

 

[Sundance Kid]

Those look nice but I'd like to find something used and rebuildable to keep the cost down.
The Ride FX used on the Switchback's and short track Dragon's are nice shocks but they are 18" c-c and I don't know how they'd work.
Feedback on this swap would be helpful and I'd think that someone would have a used set for sale.

 

[sledneck_03]

i put a set of W/E airs on my 08 rmk from a 09 dragon, so far so good and some -25C riding...........i got both front and rears for $350 and can sell my old ones for more than that. Put some polaris shock protectors on them and make sure they have the foam that came on them for removal and installation or you will nick the shafts on the upper a arms hiem joint nut.

alot of people bash them and i find them better than the stockers.....and if you get some nicks sand them smooth so you can run the tip of your fingernail over them smooth with 2000 grit paper, a sharp nick will wreck the seals.

 

[Sundance Kid]

Does anyone have any info on using the longer shocks on a RMK???
Somebody has got to have tried it.
The 17.5" Cat shocks sounds like a good option. I wouldn't think a 1/2" would make that much of a difference.
And there should be a pile of used Fox Cat shocks out there.

 

[ElectroTech]

Problem is that you upset the balance of the sled by taking weight off the fron of the track. It will give you heavy steering and poor handling since the suspension is pushed out throwing the geometry off. Also the end of travel on the longer shock body will be sooner, basically it sits higher but bottoms sooner(in relation to where it bottoms stock. If i were you I would try the ryde fx from an 05 900 Anniversary edition, they are take aparts.

 

[Sundance Kid]

I did a little research on the Polaris parts book and I saw that the 05 900 and all 3 06 RMK's used the same rebuildable Ride FX shocks.
That's probably what I'll start looking for.
You described exactly what I was thinking and fearing by using the longer shock.
The sled works so good the way its set up I don't want to wreck that handling aspect by using the wrong shock.
Thanks for the input. I knew somebody had to have looked into this idea.

 

[Sundance Kid]

Anyone else have any input???
I just picked up a set of front shocks off of an 05 900 anniversary edition but haven't put them on yet.
They look great and have all the correct c-c dimensions.

 

[BadAftertaste]

Best mod I've made....

http://www.startinglineproducts.com/catalog.cfm?pageID=detail&catalogID=3&catID=47&productID=1298

 

[Sundance Kid]

Ahhh, this must be the needle valve shocks that the Jackson Hole boys have told me about.
They had nothing but good things to say about the WE Needle valve shocks.
I just got a set of Ryde FX fronts that I'll probably try this weekend that came off of an 05 900 RMK and they have to be a huge step up from the stockers. And the price was unbelievable at less than $100!!!!!