ELKA Shocks Side Effect

[stillriding]

Ever since returning from Spyderfest where I had ELKA shocks installed, car drivers have been flashing their headlights at me...even during the day. This had never happened before. Then while looking at my RT in the garage one day the Spyder seemed to be sitting higher. Sure enough with the new shocks it's about 2 to
2 1/2 inches higher than it was with the stock shocks and that pointed my headlights high...real high. I'm surprised that aircraft weren't flashing their lights at me. A simple re-aiming of the lights really "illuminated" the problem. And it's an easy task to perform.

 

[docdoru]

...or, lower the shock settings. :2thumbs:

 

[stillriding]

...or, lower the shock settings. :2thumbs:

...but I LOVE the way the Spyder rides and handles and I'd hate to tamper with that.

 

[Tonga]

Yes my RT is higher as well and I asked John for 9 1/2 inch 300 lb springs instead of the 10 inch that could be comptressed only 1/2 inch instead of 1 inch but they don't have one, to bad. One thing I know is that the front end alignment is done unladen so that laden it goes from minus toe to zero toe in and with stock shocks the front end does drop down but the Elkas do Not settle down. My Elkas Springs were compressed to 8 1/2 inches form 10 inch
When I got them so I went to 9 inches compressed to drop the front end a bit. My RT does seem to handle well but I would wonder if my alignment goes to zero toe in with the weight back on it. Bottom line is that my Elkas work sooo much better then stock.

 

[clueless]

ahh forgot about that one minor issue with the Elkas... the works performance did not add any height. they measured the Spyder RT when they configured them for forget the member on this forum that had his Spyder at the factory so I think with the WP Shocks they are the same as OEM height when installed. :doorag:

 

[stillriding]

ahh forgot about that one minor issue with the Elkas... the works performance did not add any height. they measured the Spyder RT when they configured them for forget the member on this forum that had his Spyder at the factory so I think with the WP Shocks they are the same as OEM height when installed. :doorag:

Just to clarify the "side effect," please don't consider it as a complaint. More like an observance. It was a simple process to adjust the headlights and I couldn't be happier with the drastic improvement in my RT's handling.

 

[clueless]

Both are great upgrades. Next up is replace rear shock.

 

[SteveMac]

:2thumbs::agree:

Both are great upgrades. Next up is replace rear shock.

 

[draboo]

We just arrived in the UP of MI after 2400 mi ride. I am really interested in a shock upgrade. I have the stockers set on the highest setting and am not satisfied with the way it handles while on speed in the corners. It's downright scary!:shocked:

 

[Questions]

elka shocks

get the elka shocks for your weight. the difference is unbelievable

We just arrived in the UP of MI after 2400 mi ride. I am really interested in a shock upgrade. I have the stockers set on the highest setting and am not satisfied with the way it handles while on speed in the corners. It's downright scary!:shocked:

 

[Firefly]

Ever since returning from Spyderfest where I had ELKA shocks installed, car drivers have been flashing their headlights at me...even during the day. This had never happened before. Then while looking at my RT in the garage one day the Spyder seemed to be sitting higher. Sure enough with the new shocks it's about 2 to
2 1/2 inches higher than it was with the stock shocks and that pointed my headlights high...real high. I'm surprised that aircraft weren't flashing their lights at me. A simple re-aiming of the lights really "illuminated" the problem. And it's an easy task to perform.

Yup-- pretty well known at this point... but always good to remind people. Lights should be readjusted to compensate for the new shocks.

 

[Arr MiHardies]

I keep my brights on during the day for added visibility.
I never have people flashing me at night either, and my lights are aimed pretty high.

 

[Hawk]

I also noticed that my fog lights on the RT-S are aimed high too. I had Cowtown adjust the headlights before I left spyderfest (where I had the elkas put on). When I have the fog lights on, I notice on signs that they are throwing light higher than when my headlights are on low. Just got to get around to doing it. Unfortunately, I think this is not as easy.