There are a lot of factors. If your riding blacktop, gravel roads and mud riding mostly probably not. If your running down a trail at 30 mph and unknowingly hit a jump, it may be a huge difference. That being said I have never rode on 814's but have on all the others. Pretty sure the 814's are digressive valved to where the others are usually linear or progressive valved. No nitrogen in the 814 so you will get cavitation and fading with shock heat. Shaft, seal and bearing quality is another factor. Not sure if the 814's are hard coat anodized for shock body wear. Pretty sure the 814's are pretty much a universal type shock, as they are using the same shock for cars, utvs, etc which saves money. That is why you have to grind the mounts because the eyelet length is to short and the stroke length is too long requiring limit straps. The fox's, elka's & we's are application specific with the correct eyelet, extended and compressed length and valved/sprung for the application. There are also a lot of experienced shock companies that rebuild and revalve the big 3 brands so you can pretty much get any ride you want. I think the Fox's would would benefit from softer springs for East coast riding as it is an OEM spec setup on a good shock and give a little lower adjustment range on the 3 settings. 250# fronts and 300# rears work really good on the pioneers. I run 225# F & 275# R currently.
