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Recommendations for a 2 up Shock

CloverHillCrawler

CloverHillCrawler

Active member
Thought I had everything finished for the year. New tires, New Brakes. Got the Seat and Floorboards so the Wife can ride too. We had done test rides on the mountain roads and highways around here with no issues.

On the way to our First Meetup with our group to go to Point Lookout yesterday doing about 75 on 495 near Andrews Air Force Base when we hit what I call "floaters" to where it lifts the bike up on the suspension but doesn't go full airborne.

I hit a big floater and I hear a rub. When I stop and check I found the rear bottomed out on the tire. Luckily no damage to the tire but my Spyder's rear end has a permanent skid mark now in its drawers.

I guess I need to add a 2 up Shock to the list. Our combined weight is right around 400 lbs. Any recommendations?

IMG_20220402_194444002.jpg
 
I do not recommend the fox, provided by Can Am, this is just a fancy version of the original shock (had one, didn't do the job), Wilbers makes good shocks, Elka does too, there is even a thread on spyderlovers, that boasts about shocks,
made in France, M2 comes also to mind.

I have a custom made set on my spyder, but it's just to early to take these in production, I've driven not enough miles to actually endorse them, Mine were made by a company, who makes shocks for BMW motorrad, and Porsche, on a factory level. First impressions are awesome, but what I think you should get, is atleast a Preload adjuster, on the rear, so it's not becoming a harsh ride, when you drive your spyder one up..

My two cents, go with a good brand, read about it on the forum, there are lots of good shockbuilders, and try to filter out the best solution for you...
Spyder F3s Tractive Shocks (8).jpg
 
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If you switch up between 1 up and 2 up often, I would highly recommend a shock with a hydraulic preload adjuster. Simply turning a knob can increase/decrease preload. If you spec out a rear shock for your combined weights (which you should), you will find the two up setting too stiff for solo riding. If your significant other rides with you more often than not, you might be satisfied set up for two up. I'd contact Marcus at M2. Very knowledgeable, and he'll give you a forum discount. He cannot make a shock with hydraulic preload. I went with a Wilber shock at the (strong) suggestion from my local suspension shop, and they don't even carry them. Pricey at about $1080 shipped and will take approx. (6) weeks. You may find one for slightly more $$ from Elka, but I was actually (strongly) swayed away from them. Race Tech also makes one for about $1200. Wilber/Race Tech/M2 will not only spring a shock to your specs, they will custom build/valve it too. With the in stock Elka, it will only be sprung for your weights. Valving makes a big difference.
 

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Agree to disagree on your assessment of the Fox Shock performance. While it is not an 'easily adjust' spring pre-load, it is far superior to the OEM Sachs shock that came on the F3 std and "S" models. Most people are set it once and forget it, anyway.

Are there better shocks out there? Absolutely. But the after-market Fox, which was the only one available when I bought my first F3-S in 2015, are far superior to the OEM Sachs.
 
troop said:
If you switch up between 1 up and 2 up often, I would highly recommend a shock with a hydraulic preload adjuster. Simply turning a knob can increase/decrease preload. If you spec out a rear shock for your combined weights (which you should), you will find the two up setting too stiff for solo riding. If your significant other rides with you more often than not, you might be satisfied set up for two up. I'd contact Marcus at M2. Very knowledgeable, and he'll give you a forum discount. He cannot make a shock with hydraulic preload. I went with a Wilber shock at the (strong) suggestion from my local suspension shop, and they don't even carry them. Pricey at about $1080 shipped and will take approx. (6) weeks. You may find one for slightly more $$ from Elka, but I was actually (strongly) swayed away from them. Race Tech also makes one for about $1200. Wilber/Race Tech/M2 will not only spring a shock to your specs, they will custom build/valve it too. With the in stock Elka, it will only be sprung for your weights. Valving makes a big difference.
Click to expand...

My shop relatively local to me has tried to work with M2 but M2 tends to make their Spyder shocks a bit too long and as such, he doesn't recommend them. He recommends RaceTech first then Elka, due to where they sourse their seals. (reason why they tend to leak). I haven't personally gone down that road yet and just getting used to the BajaRon swaybar/end links.
 
My Wilber was approx. 5-7mm longer than the OEM rear shock. Have to believe there's a reason for it.
 
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pauly1 said:
Agree to disagree on your assessment of the Fox Shock performance. While it is not an 'easily adjust' spring pre-load, it is far superior to the OEM Sachs shock that came on the F3 std and "S" models. Most people are set it once and forget it, anyway.

Are there better shocks out there? Absolutely. But the after-market Fox, which was the only one available when I bought my first F3-S in 2015, are far superior to the OEM Sachs.
Click to expand...

It's definitely a good shock, but the springrate is just to low, I found that is was not suited for my needs, thats why I pointed that to the OP, just trying to help, and this was my experience, just wanted to share
 
CloverHillCrawler said:
After looking around I think I am going with the Elka stage 2 shocks.

I just need something simple to bolt on that will keep me from bottoming out and dont mind the stiffer ride and it seems like you have a choice between comfort/sport/performance tuning setup.

https://www.elkasuspension.com/prod...m-spyder-f3-f3-s-2015-to-2020/?c=72e1ba2726d6
Click to expand...

Before you do, call Marcus at M2. He will build the shock to your specifics, both spring rate and valving. He'll give a forum discount and I think you'll be happier long term.
https://www.m2shocks.com/canam-spyder-products
 
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Yup Cloverhillcrawler, The money is going faster out, then in... and the hobby guzzles money, but hey, the bright side, ALL MILES OF SMILES
 
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