Aftermarket Shocks

[RevXRider]

I know there is a huge difference on the trail riding, but do they make that much of a difference in off trail deep snow riding? I have a 154 T3X and thinking of putting on a set of Raptors. Cost is $2180. Read a lot of info on these, but they all seem to be in the same range as far as price goes. Question is would that be $$ well spent?

Previous sleds have been M8 Limited, HCR, and Freeride. All with decent factory shocks go I guess. My new Summit is going to be used just in the woods, tree riding, on the east coast. So we get some wet heavy snow, some powder, a wide range of conditions. Im not scarred to spend the money, but want to make sure its worth it.

 

[rulonjj]

In the deep snow they make a difference. More maneuverability and an even better ride. If you set them up right they can help with trenching and keeping the front down on climbs in the deep.

 

[hobbes]

I know there is a huge difference on the trail riding, but do they make that much of a difference in off trail deep snow riding? I have a 154 T3X and thinking of putting on a set of Raptors. Cost is $2180. Read a lot of info on these, but they all seem to be in the same range as far as price goes. Question is would that be $$ well spent?

Previous sleds have been M8 Limited, HCR, and Freeride. All with decent factory shocks go I guess. My new Summit is going to be used just in the woods, tree riding, on the east coast. So we get some wet heavy snow, some powder, a wide range of conditions. Im not scarred to spend the money, but want to make sure its worth it.

All shocks ride great in 3 feet of fresh snow, but after a long day on the mountain the stock shocks can just about end a guy down a gutted out trail back to the truck. I've had the Raptors and now have a complete Tom's Fox Float setup on my 174. The Raptors are hard to beat for their adjustability and ride. I have no doubt the Tom's will be just as good but may take a little more time getting them dialed in. At this point my vote would go to the Raptors. Again, in great snow shocks aren't a huge factor, but if you plan to ride technical terrain on marginal snow they are irreplaceable.

 

[BIG JOHN]

IMHO...

raptor, exit, fox, elka, ohlin etc... are all really good shocks but cost from $1200 to $2500 dollars a set...

For $395 I can revalve your X shocks and make them way better than stock....

Most guys this is plenty, some guys need the better shocks (big jumpers)...BJ

 

[RevXRider]

That seems logical. Maybe I will try that. What do you need to do that Big John? Im assuming I ship the shocks to you with my weight and you revalve with that?

 

[toms]

Another option is our new Elka Kit. Why would it be better then just a revalve? You still have stock springs up front; so to replace them with a dual rate set up you add close to $200.00. For optimum performance you should get the HPG oil serviced or changed every 500 miles = (increase cost, $200.00)

 

[snopro11]

Another option is our new Elka Kit. Why would it be better then just a revalve? You still have stock springs up front; so to replace them with a dual rate set up you add close to $200.00. For optimum performance you should get the HPG oil serviced or changed every 500 miles = (increase cost, $200.00)

More then likely I will be going this route! Whats the turn around time?

 

[toms]

Inventory shows up this week.

 

[Monty]

Tom,

What color are the dual rate springs with sophisticated simplicity kit?

 

[toms]

Both springs for the ski shocks are black, center spring black.
We will offer some different rates depending on weight, riding style etc.
Are you looking for a color?

 

[Monty]

Not really, the black sounds good...thanks I'll be in touch

 

[Bocephus]

I know there is a huge difference on the trail riding, but do they make that much of a difference in off trail deep snow riding? I have a 154 T3X and thinking of putting on a set of Raptors. Cost is $2180. Read a lot of info on these, but they all seem to be in the same range as far as price goes. Question is would that be $$ well spent?

Previous sleds have been M8 Limited, HCR, and Freeride. All with decent factory shocks go I guess. My new Summit is going to be used just in the woods, tree riding, on the east coast. So we get some wet heavy snow, some powder, a wide range of conditions. Im not scarred to spend the money, but want to make sure its worth it.

one question and one comment.


question - what do you weigh. if you are under 175, the factory shocks may be good enough for you. a simple revalve/respring can help alot though.

comment - if you were on the old cat M series sleds and though their factory shocks were decent, the XM rides better than those sleds by far.

 

[Devilmanak]

Run it, break the shocks in, then have someone (if you cannot do it yourself) put some decent oil in them. Back to back riding a stock 174 T3 next to mine with a high end aftermarket setup, the stock shocks worked better 90% of the areas I rode last year.
Listen to the guys who pay full pop for shocks for advice, the ones who don't pay full pop are just pimping product for a discount.
Also, ask the seller if they have actually RIDDEN what they are selling!

 

[boondocker97]

...Back to back riding a stock 174 T3 next to mine with a high end aftermarket setup, the stock shocks worked better 90% of the areas I rode last year...

I would be having a conversation with your shock dealer/tuner. That should definitely not be the case.

 

[giddyup]

interesting advice, cant cost much to change the oil, i have heard of a few guys getting some revalveing done that has helped, what is all involved in changing the oil, what oil would be recommended advice

 

[FEZ]

Run it, break the shocks in, then have someone (if you cannot do it yourself) put some decent oil in them. Back to back riding a stock 174 T3 next to mine with a high end aftermarket setup, the stock shocks worked better 90% of the areas I rode last year.
Listen to the guys who pay full pop for shocks for advice, the ones who don't pay full pop are just pimping product for a discount.
Also, ask the seller if they have actually RIDDEN what they are selling!

All good points. The stockers on a new sled can be weak before you pull the rope. Aftermarket shocks are sweet when dialed in. I have ridden with Exit shocks NOT set up for me and I did not like them. The stock X shocks are set up for the average weight rider. Having them re-valved with new oil and proper pressure makes a world of difference. I know because I run them in my '09. BIGJOHN runs the same set up on his '15 T3.

We have many friends and guys we ride with that run the re-valved X shocks with great success. Now I am 6'4 and 220 and would like some dual rate springs for the bigger drops but that is for another day.


For most I believe giving the stockers a re-valve/rebuild is the way to go. Adding a set of dual rate springs from Tom would be the next step.

 

[fc8464]

Have raptors on my Summit and was thinking of Elkas for My Viper. Had sent Eka 3 different e-mails and never got a responce. Now may go with Axis.Fred

 

[powdermuncher]

Have raptors on my Summit and was thinking of Elkas for My Viper. Had sent Eka 3 different e-mails and never got a responce. Now may go with Axis.Fred

Try to go through Thoms for the Elkas may work better for you.

 

[BIG JOHN]

Stock with a good shock shop doo the oil and nitrogen correctly is the first step on ANY new sled...production shocks are pretty bad...

The next step is have a good shock shop REVALVE them for you...

SHR offers a "stage 1 revalve" that works with the stock springs or the next stiffer (rider weight/riding style) taken into account...fresh HPG shocks will hold the set up for 1000s of miles!!

For MOST guys this is ALL you need...the rest NEED better shocks for either the big drops or showing off in the parking lot -BJ

 

[Zbroz Racing]

X Package KYB ski shock dual rate spring package

Just thought I would thrown the info out for those watching the thread. We obviously have lots of shock options but we also have a dual rate spring option that has been available for a few years now but most don't know we have them.

Its inexpensive and if a re valve or oil change is due its a great upgrade.
$199.00 IN STOCK

http://zbrozracing.com/exit-shocks-ski-doo-xm-dual-rate-36-shock-spring-kit