To each their own on this topic, but here was my logic on deciding which shocks to go with.
I’ve seen reports of happy and disgruntled customers which each brand from either on our Honda’s or other UTVs.
First and foremost, cost was a consideration so that knocked out the Stage 4/5 Elka’s...more on that later.
Next was their background.
Fox was founded in 1978, Elka in 2000, Walker Evans in 1994 (although their racing heritage goes back further) and 814 in 2016.
Fox shocks are without a doubt better than the OEM shocks on the standard Pioneer and Deluxe models, but they’re still built to meet OEM specs for the LE’s. For most, that’s a great choice and the price point that I’ve seen folks get them for make them a sweet deal. They offer preload and 3-stage compression adjustments.
Elka’s have the heritage in racing with a lot of experience, but if you want full adjustability, you have to step up to the Stage 4’s or higher which start getting pricey. Stage 3’s offer compression and preload adjustability. They pull experience from just about every line of racing that you could think of on 4 wheels and snowmobiles.
Walker Evans have years of racing heritage, they’re built to order (although I have found that Rocky Mountain ATV/MC started ordering built sets to keep in-stock for fast shipping- and a great price). They’re compression and preload adjustable and offer a remote/piggy back reservoir. They pull experience from snowmobiles, UTVs, truck racing and Rock crawling.
The 814’s are the youngest of companies and although seem to be very focused on the UTV market, they don’t seem to venture outside of that. Some may argue that’s a pro, and some may see it as a con. But they do offer preload, compression and rebound adjustability. From what I’ve read, you have to modify the rear mounts and use a limit strap.
Three of those companies gain experience from not only UTVs, but trucks, cars, buggies, and some of the companies dive into Snowmobiles, mountain bikes, dirt bikes and motorcycles and I think that is worth taking into consideration.
For me, experience matters and I sought out the companies with the most who offered a custom built shock. 814 utilizes and limit strap and required alterations to the mount and that didn’t sit well with me. Although I’m very familiar with limiting straps in the rock-crawler market, it struck me odd as requiring them in a light duty application such as our Pioneers when other manufacturers choose not too go that route. Again, some may argue that it’s even more of a custom suspension setup but, the fact the shock description states that it’s aimed at Trail use makes me wonder why a limiting strap would be required.
What I wanted, personally, was full adjustability, remote reservoirs (more fluid means the shock doesn’t heat up as quickly and maintains the same performance longer than those without), and no modifications to the machine required to use. The only option was Elka’s stage 4 or 5 but they simply were higher than I was willing to pay. Because I didn’t care for cutting and reducing material on my mounts and the requirement for a limit strap, that brought me to the Walker Evan’s shocks...so that’s what I ordered. I didn’t get the rebound adjustability but everything else is there. If Fox had offered a “custom” shock outside of their OEM built shock, I think they would have been the company to go with...but I’m sure the price would reflect that as well.
I think it all depends on what you want out of your suspension. They’ll all be a big upgrade. I will say that if you value communication and feedback, it’s no secret that 814 will provide that. They are very active on forums and everyone who has purchased them and discusses the company has had a good experience with customer service. So that’s also worth considering.
Just my two cents on the subject. Im not bad mouthing any of them and I’m sure this convo could go on for days.
Good luck on your choice!
