What Front Shocks Recommendations for a 2020+ RT?

[agolder]

So, I'm very interested in upgrading the OEM shocks on my 2022 RTL and the 3 options I'm thinking about are Baja Ron/JRI, Wilber 630, and Elka Stage 2. With the money being a little tight, Elka seems to be the cheapest option. There are also H&R spring upgrades available on MTV site that is a significantly cheaper option. I do most of my riding 2 up and want to improve handling in the turns. I already have Baja Ron's Ultimate sway bar and I think it was a great improvement, but want something more. The way I see it is that I can:

1. Get the H&R springs, which would be the cheapest;
2. Get Elka for a few hundred dollars cheaper than option number 3;
3. Or wait another 6-8 months and save up for JRI or Wilber.

I'm sure there is a major difference between swapping out the springs or replacing them with a whole new shock, but is it worth the wait? I would love to hear back from anyone with riding experience who can help me decide.

Thank you all in advance,

 

[Mikey]

When I was in Tenn this past year, I was at Ron's shop. They said he had a shock set up they were working on that was great. I would maybe talk to them first just because they're in the US; they're a small shop; they ride; and if you have a issue I am sure they will bend over backwards to help you out!! Number 2 would be Elka Stage 2; I have a set on my bike 4 seasons, I love them, and again I have a good shock guy who does all my sled shocks when they need a freshen up and they are rebuildable, unlike the crap BRP's giving us.

Ps: I used Lamonster for them and they are a certified dealer and work on them also I believe!

 

[JayBros]

How many miles do you have riding your Spyder? What is it in the ride that causes you to believe the OEM shocks and springs are deficient?

 

[agolder]

How many miles do you have riding your Spyder? What is it in the ride that causes you to believe the OEM shocks and springs are deficient?

I listened and agree with recommendations that you need to put some miles on your bike first and at this point have a few thousand miles under my belt riding my RTL. I really want better cornering when riding twistties a bit faster and it is no surprise that OEM shocks are not up to the task.

 

[DGoebel]

I just had a ryding buddy, Dalmar J., trailer his Spyder down from snowy MN to Ron's to get the JRI's (and some other installs) and he's been gushing about what an improvement they've made. He's staying down there for a week and I get daily reports on how fantastic the JRI's (We already installed the UltraBar last year) have improved his ride.

Today he did the Rattler and TotD over a 12hr 300 mile ride with the new shocks, even did TotD down and up, here's a link to the Relive video he did up. https://www.relive.com/view/vwq1e7kXDBq

 

[agolder]

I just had a ryding buddy, Dalmar J., trailer his Spyder down from snowy MN to Ron's to get the JRI's (and some other installs) and he's been gushing about what an improvement they've made. He's staying down there for a week and I get daily reports on how fantastic the JRI's (We already installed the UltraBar last year) have improved his ride.

Today he did the Rattler and TotD over a 12hr 300 mile ride with the new shocks, even did TotD down and up, here's a link to the Relive video he did up. https://www.relive.com/view/vwq1e7kXDBq

That's great to hear. I am 8 hours away from Ron's place. If the weather was a little warmer, I can see doing an extended 4-day weekend there over Blue Ridge Parkway and visit Biltmore. I usually ride Blue Parkway at least once a year.

 

[CrazyCooter]

What we experienced with our 2023 RT-L was the obvious body roll but combined with the poor ride quality over rougher back roads. I knew Baja Ron's bar was going to be a must, but the low spring OEM rate was also going to need to be dealt with. The rear damping was MUCH weaker than we desired especially in the low shaft speed rebound department.

The next problem is a higher spring rate up front raises the suspension's ride frequency and that would require a reduction in compression damping combined with much more rebound damping to control the energy released after an event. I knew shocks were going to be a thing for the future if mama was ever going to be happy. A front spring "Upgrade" (downgrade without appropriate damping) wasn't even an option as I knew what the result would be through all of the shock tuning I have done.

M2 jerked us around on shocks for months (you may have seen that debacle), I felt JRI's spring rates were lower than we desired and a rear wasn't available, Ikon was an emulsion shock (and from over the pond), and I wanted an IFP design since cavitation is a thing while riding bumpy roads (high shaft speed events).

We settled on Elka since I have valving shims on the shelf and they are easy to get rebuild kits for. Elka delivered before the due date, but sent us springs for the front that I felt were too firm and the rear way too soft (WAY too much air pressure required to meet rider sag) despite a quite detailed rider profile. I have new springs sitting here for when I get the ambition to tear the thing back down and swap them out. Overall the damping setting seem to be pretty close on compression and there was enough rebound setting in the clickers to get her all dialled in. I expect to back off the front rebound clickers 4-9 clicks after the spring swap which will land us pretty close to center?

 

[Mikey]

I just had a ryding buddy, Dalmar J., trailer his Spyder down from snowy MN to Ron's to get the JRI's (and some other installs) and he's been gushing about what an improvement they've made. He's staying down there for a week and I get daily reports on how fantastic the JRI's (We already installed the UltraBar last year) have improved his ride.

Today he did the Rattler and TotD over a 12hr 300 mile ride with the new shocks, even did TotD down and up, here's a link to the Relive video he did up. https://www.relive.com/view/vwq1e7kXDBq

What a great post and an even greater ride, holly smokes, he must have felt like he arm wrestled an ape!

 

[dvjohns]

So, I'm very interested in upgrading the OEM shocks on my 2022 RTL and the 3 options I'm thinking about are Baja Ron/JRI, Wilber 630, and Elka Stage 2. With the money being a little tight, Elka seems to be the cheapest option. There are also H&R spring upgrades available on MTV site that is a significantly cheaper option. I do most of my riding 2 up and want to improve handling in the turns. I already have Baja Ron's Ultimate sway bar and I think it was a great improvement, but want something more. The way I see it is that I can:

1. Get the H&R springs, which would be the cheapest;
2. Get Elka for a few hundred dollars cheaper than option number 3;
3. Or wait another 6-8 months and save up for JRI or Wilber.

I'm sure there is a major difference between swapping out the springs or replacing them with a whole new shock, but is it worth the wait? I would love to hear back from anyone with riding experience who can help me decide.

Thank you all in advance,

I just got home from Tennessee last night. I went there to go to BajaRon's for this very purpose. I have a 23 RTL that I put 20k miles on in the first year. With that experience, I was looking for an upgrade to the suspension. I did my research and decided to go with the JRI shocks that Ron has developed in collaboration with JRI. I went for a ride with the stock shocks and then again, after the JRI's were installed. All I can say is WOW! What a difference they made. Better ride, better handling, better stability in the cornering, it felt way more planted. Plus, it just felt easier to steer.

The day after I had them installed, I rode the Rattler 209 and the Tail of the Dragon. It didnt take long to realize that I had made the right decision. I also had them install a set of floating rotors on the front that I had purchased from Martin the Vlogger. Another great improvement.

As to your question, just a thought... You could get the springs, but if you don't get the results you were looking for, you will end up going up to the next step and replace the shocks. You haven't saved any money there. The Elka shocks have been around for a long time and are not a bad shock. It is my opinion that the JRI shocks deserve a hard look when you decide. In the great scheme of things, chasing the desired results can sometimes be more expensive than spending a little more up front.

Good luck and let us know what path you decide to take.

 

[agolder]

Thanks Dalmar, you have a good point regarding going with springs alone. Sounds like getting a full shock is the right call and I decided to go with Wilbers 630 from Martin. The only downside is getting them within a reasonable time. Hopefully, I'll get them in time for the riding season.

 

[troop]

Thanks Dalmar, you have a good point regarding going with springs alone. Sounds like getting a full shock is the right call and I decided to go with Wilbers 630 from Martin. The only downside is getting them within a reasonable time. Hopefully, I'll get them in time for the riding season.

Just a heads up, EMP Performance will give a 10% First responder/military discount if you qualify. I got my 640 rear shock thru them for $705/shipped (not a HPA unit). Martin takes great care of his customers, but buying from a USA vendor will get you a (5) year warranty. BTW, Martin goes the H&R route on 90% of his fleet. He'll give you his no BS input FYI...