Shock Options

[WYsteph]

Just pondering the many options out there for shocks for my 600 this fall. Been doing a lot of studying, but when you start getting into the shocks with a lot of adjustment options it kind of gets over my head. I'm the normal everyday rider that has never touched the shocks on my current sled.

I do know that at least I want to re-valve them to my weight. But I could also just sell the stockers and not be into a huge amount in money for upgraded ones.

Now the fox shocks, only the fox 2's are for the pro's the rest are listed as for the dragons. I know people are running the other shocks on the pros, are they the same size?


I should be able to get $300 for front and $250 rears on new take offs?

For the fronts
Re-valves- $350 (from holtz)

Fox 2 Floats- $695 (from carls)

Fox Evol R- $995 (from carls)

For the rear
Re-valve - $150 (from holtz)

Fox kit - $855 (from carls)


Just not sure what would be best, I'm mostly happy on my current sled (it's not real fun on the rough tracked up stuff or trails.) Maybe just re-valving the rears and putting a set of 2 floats would be a good compromise?

I like the idea of having the really nice sets of shocks, but not sure I would ever notice the difference or use them as intended. Not much of a tuner I'm afraid, don't get to ride enough to have time to fiddle with stuff.

 

[Jeff K]

Seriously consider EXIT shocks from ZBroz. You only need the X0's unless you really think you need the ability to fine tune the compression dampening. I put a full set of EXIT's on my M8 and it was a night and day difference! They are custom built and valved for each person based on your riding style, weight, machine, etc.

You can get them from Michelle (Freeagent) at Oregon Trail as well

 

[HMC 399]

I'm assuming your getting a new 600 pro, having ridden an 800 pro and having been on a cat since 05, there is no comparison. The 800 pro will run down the trail, through the rutted narly stuff on a tracked out hill, and just about any other condition I can think of, ten times better than my cat with re-valved shocks. Buying it and riding it will be a huge improvement from what you've been on. I had to quit riding my buddies pro cause I hated getting back on my 10 cat unless we were in bottomless powder. I might cross over to the dark side and buy a pro in 12, if I do I'll leave the the shocks stock. A re-valve might be in order for your size, but I'd ride it first and see. JMHO. Why didn't you buy a 12 cat 600, I mean 1100 non turboed? they look pretty sweet.

 

[Spaarky]

Seriously consider EXIT shocks from ZBroz. You only need the X0's unless you really think you need the ability to fine tune the compression dampening. I put a full set of EXIT's on my M8 and it was a night and day difference! They are custom built and valved for each person based on your riding style, weight, machine, etc.

You can get them from Michelle (Freeagent) at Oregon Trail as well

Ditto.. Michelle is fantastic, but I would strongly consider talking to Curt @ Fastrax. IMO, he is the foremost expert in Polairs suspension set ups. I have them on my Dragon, and he was dead nuts on right away. Plus I had some very specific requests. His service is second to none also.

 

[sw]

The 600 Pro will allready come with a really nice set of shocks, word on the street, here in Minnesota, is this model is to be made in total secrecy... made at the north pole, by little people wearing HMK booties-dedicated to building snow slaying excellence!

 

[AndrettiDog]

The Exits are the shnizzzzzle...

 

[ryan_625]

I will probably do the Holz revalves, but if I had the scratch it would be Exits without a doubt

 

[WyoPro]

Hey Steph, my buddy here in Laramie is a Z-Broz dealer, let me see what he could do for you. On one of my trips back to N-E Wyoming I could bring them up for you.

 

[307 Snow*Moto]

Steph, forget the idea of getting new shocks it would be an absolute waist of money. Have the shocks valved and set-up for YOU and only YOU! The facts are that 50% of riders can't tell the difference in shocks anyway and as good as the Walkers have been for my wife on hers you will be fine having them valved for you!

 

[Tec]

I've been really happy with the stockers this year other then bottoming the rear, your probably not 225 lbs so they will be just right for you.

 

[RMKRAZIE]

Steph, forget the idea of getting new shocks it would be an absolute waist of money. Have the shocks valved and set-up for YOU and only YOU! The facts are that 50% of riders can't tell the difference in shocks anyway and as good as the Walkers have been for my wife on hers you will be fine having them valved for you!

I'm one of thoes people who cannot tell the difference in shocks I just want a shock/spring that will not bottom out but I am also about 215 lbs with gear.

 

[ryan_625]

I've been really happy with the stockers this year other then bottoming the rear, your probably not 225 lbs so they will be just right for you.

I am 160lbs, MAYBE 175 with gear, and I bottom the rear shock out all the time, I'm starting to bottom the fronts pretty regularly now too, but I am a jumper.

 

[WyoPro]

Steph, forget the idea of getting new shocks it would be an absolute waist of money. Have the shocks valved and set-up for YOU and only YOU! The facts are that 50% of riders can't tell the difference in shocks anyway and as good as the Walkers have been for my wife on hers you will be fine having them valved for you!

Plain and simple, shocks are very expensive to have custom built for you. But, once you ride a properly set up sled and then get back on yours, you'll be a believer. I have an '11 Assault, thought it was pretty good until I hopped onto my friends '11 Assault that had been re-valved with different springs and the addition of a sway bar. Definetly noticeable. Then you get on something with Exit's all around and it's another step in the right direction!

I do agree though, that for a minimal amount of money, most people could have them valved through Carl's or somebody else, and be perfectly content.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I can certainly tell the difference in some well setup shocks. If you ride around on the trail or are not a very aggressive rider, then the well setup shocks might not be worth the money. I was afraid I would damage my tunnel and shocks on my Pro because I was bottoming out the front and back. Once I added the X1's on my Pro I needed to ride and actually sent them back to revalve (for free!). The problem is that you can't really do just the front. The back weakness is amplified when the front is setup well. The WE coil overs are much better than the Dragon WE's but they do have limitations.

 

[gman086]

I am 160lbs, MAYBE 175 with gear, and I bottom the rear shock out all the time, I'm starting to bottom the fronts pretty regularly now too, but I am a jumper.

X2 (I'm 170)! I find myself riding around a lot of natural hits I'd be salivating over on my REV with Fox Evols! Not at all happy with stock Pro shocks and will be upgrading next year (hopefully to Evol R's if I have a job!).

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[GoBigParts]

If bottoming out why not just simply revalve or add heavier springs? If the stock WE are rebuildabl that means you can customize the valving to your needs.

The hard part is making the sled a plush ride on the smaller hits and stutter bumps but sill resist bottoming on the big hits. This is where a dual or multi sprinng rate or valving comes in handy.

 

[bigbull]

ZBROS triple rates will solve most any issues you have or would encounter and they have a lot of experience setting them up for your rider weight and style and if you dont like the valving or setup, ship them back and they will set them up different according to your wishes, no charge. The triple rates are the key to handling the stutter bumps and also to keep from bottoming out at the same time. Everyone wants a plush ride when they are beat tired and on the way out on the trail and be able to bomb it hard off a drop when they want. Hard to to achieve really well with other shocks.
I like them and the service so much on my initial pair, we became a dealer about 6 weeks after I got them and tested them thoroughly, with nothing but happy customers the last 3 years since.
BB

 

[AndrettiDog]

If bottoming out why not just simply revalve or add heavier springs? If the stock WE are rebuildabl that means you can customize the valving to your needs.

The hard part is making the sled a plush ride on the smaller hits and stutter bumps but sill resist bottoming on the big hits. This is where a dual or multi sprinng rate or valving comes in handy.

WE coil overs are not bad shocks but they are made to be as light as possible and function in the powder - they do just that. I don't think that even re-valving would be enough to resist bottoming out. That would require heavier springs and that's not part of the re-valve. Also, going to bigger torsion springs is just a band aid in my opinion.

 

[Cardiac Kid]

Depending on what you weigh Revaluing may not be a big issue. These are not high dollar shock. And I will never say that they will perform like a set of shocks that are professionally and properly set up and balanced for a given wt and riding style. With that said the WE on the pro are likely the best WE stock shocks I can remember (some will say that’s not saying much and well it isn't) but they are fair and much better than past efforts. I'm 185# and to set it up so I don’t bottom out too often doesn't give me enough rebound damping. The compression damping isn't too bad for my wt. If you are lighter you might find that the rebound is good but the compression is too stiff. Unless you just want new shock, and who doesn't, give them a try and see what needs to be adjusted then decide what makes the sled work for you.

 

[WYsteph]

Thanks for the help!

I've decided to do the re-valving on both the fronts and rears. Put the money down on her today , my first new sled! This is going to be worse then waiting for christmas as a kid! lol