DakotaCBR
01-19-2009, 02:17 AM
I was finally able to really try out my Elka Triple Clicker this weekend at Jennings GP. I bought it back in the middle of 2008, got about 6 laps with it in the rain at Barber, then highsided myself and broke my collar bone, ending the testing for a few months.
Elka is relatively new to the sportbike suspension market compared with Ohlins and Penske, but their quality and pricing makes them pretty competitive with the others. The company has been around for years manufacturing suspension for dirtbikes and quads, but just recently jumped into sportbikes. After researching the different options for my racebike, a 2005 Honda CBR600RR, and working within a budget, I opted for an Elka Rear shock. I was originally going to go with a 2-Way that offered Preload, Compression, and Rebound adjustment, but for a few dollars more, I could get the 3-way adjustable shock that offers Hi- and Low-Speed Compression Adjustment as well. Both models offer 10mm of ride height adjustment, and a Hydraulic Preload Adjuster can also be fitted, although I did not require this option.
Elka's Website: http://www.elkasuspension.com/
Features (From Tucker Rocky's Book):
- Custom-built for each rider according to individual weight and riding style
- Individually tested on a dynamometer to ensure quality and performance
- CNC Machined, aeronautical grade anodized billet aluminum parts and adjustment knob
- Wide range of highly sensitive adjustments
- Assembled to tight tolerance for reduced stiction
- High quality seals, O-rings, and wearbands that reduce friction and heating for longer shock life
- Blow-off valve that prevents internal damage to the shock absorber from peak forces
- High volume reservoirs with floating piston
- Sold as a single unit
- 2-Way Series shock absorbers are a perfect choice either for the track, canyon, or road riding
- 3-Way Series shock absorbers provide maximum performance and adjustability to meet the demanding needs of today's top racers and track day riders
NOTE: All orders must be accompanied by an Elka Suspension build sheet for customization
I placed my order and received a build sheet from Elka. The sheet asks for your weight, riding type and ability (street, trackdays, racing), region, brand and type of tires, type of bike, and a few other set-up questions. Elka then builds the shock to your specifications and ships it out to you. I had heard that they take about 6 weeks to get it out, but after I faxed in my sheet, it only took them about 9 days to get the shock to me, which was pretty awesome. The company is located in Canada, and it did not take long to get to me in Florida. I hate dropping a lot of money and then waiting forever to get parts!
I had the bike's suspension tuned at the track by Ken Hall of Superbike Suspension. I've got Racetech springs up front and a new shim stack, and he made sure the SAG numbers were good and that the forks and shock were working together to make the bike a lot better to ride. When getting the suspension serviced, the tuner will have you sit on the bike to get the SAG numbers right, and then will use his black magic to set the bike up. It takes years and years of experience to set it up correctly, so while you can fiddle with knobs to see what you like better, there is no substitute for a suspension tuner's work. Ken was not too thrilled about the valving in my forks, but said the springs were pretty good for me. We ended up swapping the Elka's shock spring for a little bit harder Ohlins spring that would suit me better.
Pros
- First of all, after getting your suspension sorted, the bike will feel a hell of a lot better. Easier to ride, better tire wear, better handling, etc.
- The build quality of the Elka is incredible. They really make a nice, durable product.
- The threading for preload adjustment is pretty beefy, with squared threads instead of sharp triangles, making it harder to strip and stronger to grip.
- The PRICE! Elka's 3-Way is about the same price as a used 2-Way Ohlins.
- The shipping was quick, and they build it to spec just for you.
- Confidence and ease of riding the bike will skyrocket.
Cons
- Even though Elka claims to set the shock up to your exact needs out of the box, Ken was not too happy with the set-up, and like I said, we ended up swapping the springs out. With expert and pro-level riders, springs may need to be changed out a few times during a weekend, so it wasn't really a big deal.
- The lack of tuners that are familiar with Elka shocks has me a little worried. Most people know Penske and Ohlins inside and out, but because Elka is pretty new, there are few tuners that really know them well.
- The new-style reservoir does not fit with my CBR's rear hugger. The hugger must be modified or removed completely for it to have enough clearance.
Pics
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250036.jpg
Comparing the Stock to the Elka:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250050-1.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250044.jpg
The squared preload threading:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250043.jpg
Clearance Issues with the stock hugger:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250054-1.jpg
Fits fine without the hugger:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7260057.jpg
Custom-laid fiberglass hugger that I made to work with the shock reservoir:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P8170089-1.jpg
Ken Hall performing open-heart surgery on the shock at the track:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P1170033.jpg
Notes
After getting the shock tuned correctly, it was apparent to me that it was worth every penny. Like most people, I can't afford every part that I want for the bike, so I buy the things that are most important. I would rather drop a $2000 parts budget into proper suspension components and tuning than in a full exhaust system. Yes, I still have the stock exhaust on the track bike. A full exhaust system might get you some more HP, but it won't help YOU go faster on the track unless you've got the suspension to carry you around.
So, where can you get yours? Well, Rob Oliva at Lithium Motorsports always has great deals on everything, shocks included. Check out www.lithiummotorsports.com, or contact Rob for pricing. The price for a shock and suspension work will vary depending on what kind of parts you want and what kind of budget you can work with. Rob will be able to work with your budget to get you the best stuff you can afford.
The bike really needs to have all of the parts installed in order for proper tuning to take place. Trackside tuners like Rob or Ken from Superbike Suspension (www.superbikesuspension.com) go to A LOT of trackdays and races all over the country and can help you out with your set-up.
Overall, I am glad with the purchase and I now have an addiction to suspension tuning. Just getting the parts isn't enough, they must be set-up right!
Elka is relatively new to the sportbike suspension market compared with Ohlins and Penske, but their quality and pricing makes them pretty competitive with the others. The company has been around for years manufacturing suspension for dirtbikes and quads, but just recently jumped into sportbikes. After researching the different options for my racebike, a 2005 Honda CBR600RR, and working within a budget, I opted for an Elka Rear shock. I was originally going to go with a 2-Way that offered Preload, Compression, and Rebound adjustment, but for a few dollars more, I could get the 3-way adjustable shock that offers Hi- and Low-Speed Compression Adjustment as well. Both models offer 10mm of ride height adjustment, and a Hydraulic Preload Adjuster can also be fitted, although I did not require this option.
Elka's Website: http://www.elkasuspension.com/
Features (From Tucker Rocky's Book):
- Custom-built for each rider according to individual weight and riding style
- Individually tested on a dynamometer to ensure quality and performance
- CNC Machined, aeronautical grade anodized billet aluminum parts and adjustment knob
- Wide range of highly sensitive adjustments
- Assembled to tight tolerance for reduced stiction
- High quality seals, O-rings, and wearbands that reduce friction and heating for longer shock life
- Blow-off valve that prevents internal damage to the shock absorber from peak forces
- High volume reservoirs with floating piston
- Sold as a single unit
- 2-Way Series shock absorbers are a perfect choice either for the track, canyon, or road riding
- 3-Way Series shock absorbers provide maximum performance and adjustability to meet the demanding needs of today's top racers and track day riders
NOTE: All orders must be accompanied by an Elka Suspension build sheet for customization
I placed my order and received a build sheet from Elka. The sheet asks for your weight, riding type and ability (street, trackdays, racing), region, brand and type of tires, type of bike, and a few other set-up questions. Elka then builds the shock to your specifications and ships it out to you. I had heard that they take about 6 weeks to get it out, but after I faxed in my sheet, it only took them about 9 days to get the shock to me, which was pretty awesome. The company is located in Canada, and it did not take long to get to me in Florida. I hate dropping a lot of money and then waiting forever to get parts!
I had the bike's suspension tuned at the track by Ken Hall of Superbike Suspension. I've got Racetech springs up front and a new shim stack, and he made sure the SAG numbers were good and that the forks and shock were working together to make the bike a lot better to ride. When getting the suspension serviced, the tuner will have you sit on the bike to get the SAG numbers right, and then will use his black magic to set the bike up. It takes years and years of experience to set it up correctly, so while you can fiddle with knobs to see what you like better, there is no substitute for a suspension tuner's work. Ken was not too thrilled about the valving in my forks, but said the springs were pretty good for me. We ended up swapping the Elka's shock spring for a little bit harder Ohlins spring that would suit me better.
Pros
- First of all, after getting your suspension sorted, the bike will feel a hell of a lot better. Easier to ride, better tire wear, better handling, etc.
- The build quality of the Elka is incredible. They really make a nice, durable product.
- The threading for preload adjustment is pretty beefy, with squared threads instead of sharp triangles, making it harder to strip and stronger to grip.
- The PRICE! Elka's 3-Way is about the same price as a used 2-Way Ohlins.
- The shipping was quick, and they build it to spec just for you.
- Confidence and ease of riding the bike will skyrocket.
Cons
- Even though Elka claims to set the shock up to your exact needs out of the box, Ken was not too happy with the set-up, and like I said, we ended up swapping the springs out. With expert and pro-level riders, springs may need to be changed out a few times during a weekend, so it wasn't really a big deal.
- The lack of tuners that are familiar with Elka shocks has me a little worried. Most people know Penske and Ohlins inside and out, but because Elka is pretty new, there are few tuners that really know them well.
- The new-style reservoir does not fit with my CBR's rear hugger. The hugger must be modified or removed completely for it to have enough clearance.
Pics
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250036.jpg
Comparing the Stock to the Elka:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250050-1.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250044.jpg
The squared preload threading:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250043.jpg
Clearance Issues with the stock hugger:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7250054-1.jpg
Fits fine without the hugger:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P7260057.jpg
Custom-laid fiberglass hugger that I made to work with the shock reservoir:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P8170089-1.jpg
Ken Hall performing open-heart surgery on the shock at the track:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/Sunkistbass/P1170033.jpg
Notes
After getting the shock tuned correctly, it was apparent to me that it was worth every penny. Like most people, I can't afford every part that I want for the bike, so I buy the things that are most important. I would rather drop a $2000 parts budget into proper suspension components and tuning than in a full exhaust system. Yes, I still have the stock exhaust on the track bike. A full exhaust system might get you some more HP, but it won't help YOU go faster on the track unless you've got the suspension to carry you around.
So, where can you get yours? Well, Rob Oliva at Lithium Motorsports always has great deals on everything, shocks included. Check out www.lithiummotorsports.com, or contact Rob for pricing. The price for a shock and suspension work will vary depending on what kind of parts you want and what kind of budget you can work with. Rob will be able to work with your budget to get you the best stuff you can afford.
The bike really needs to have all of the parts installed in order for proper tuning to take place. Trackside tuners like Rob or Ken from Superbike Suspension (www.superbikesuspension.com) go to A LOT of trackdays and races all over the country and can help you out with your set-up.
Overall, I am glad with the purchase and I now have an addiction to suspension tuning. Just getting the parts isn't enough, they must be set-up right!