P500 p500 shock upgrades

[idiggplants]

So I know a lot of people put walker evans or elkas on their p500, and I know a lot of people have done oddball swaps from other machines to their p500 that increase travel, mostly downward travel(preload), and sometimes also adds a bit of height.. People also add lifts to their p500, at the slight detriment to the cv axles.

My question is... Why spend $1000 on shocks from walker, and end up with the same suspension travel as you have stock, when clearly people are increasing travel with aftermarket shocks without destroying cv joints or anything else? With a machine that is extremely limited in suspension travel, even adding 2" of overall travel is a huge increase.

Wouldn't it be great if we could spend 1k on shocks and get what we really wanted? Or I guess the real question is... Could I, knowing this info, ask walker evans to make the shock I'm looking for? Or are we getting into the realm of custom shocks that will cost me 2x as much?

 

[Admin]

 

[trigger]

It's not about increasing travel so much as it is how that 5" of travel responds. Riding a dirt road full of chop at 35mph on the stock shocks is near impossible without losing control of the machine. With the WE's it just eats it up and very little is felt behind the wheel. If going for long travel people should buy a different machine. There are aftermarket products that increase the travel but also spreads the stance to the point that you should have bought a different machine. The P5 was built for tight and nimble not flex and comfort.

 

[idiggplants]

It's not about increasing travel so much as it is how that 5" of travel responds

What its about is upgrading the suspension. And if its possible to increase the travel, which it clearly is based on a lot of the shock swaps people do, why not maximize my money and both do the most you can with the travel available in the shock, and have the most travel you can in the shock with what's available in the machine? The limiting factor of the travel is the shock stroke. Why not increase the shock stroke and make the limiting factor something else? I'd rather gain 2" of travel and MAYBE decrease the cv joint life, just like those that add lifts knowing they are trading cv life for increased clearance.

If going for long travel people should buy a different machine.

Could one not say that about literally every mod done to literally every machine? If you want a more plush suspension, don't buy walker evans, buy a machine with better suspension. If you want more clearance, don't install a lift, get a diffeent machine, if you want more comfort, don't install bucket seats, get a different machine, if you want more storage options, don't add a rack, buy a machine with a bigger bed? See my point? I have a p500, I need a 50" machine. I shouldn't be limited to a crappy ride with no travel because of that if what I want is possible. The discussion is about what is possible, and the answer to that is not "don't ask that question"

There are aftermarket products that increase the travel but also spreads the stance to the point that you should have bought a different machine.

But what I'm describing is an aftermarket product that increases the travel but doesn't spread the stance. Everything seems like it should be possible, its just finding the right shock to do it with.

The P5 was built for tight and nimble not flex and comfort.

There are machines such as the RZR 50" models that can do both. So why not strive to have both on my p500?

 

[The Green Goat]

Where are you seeing these machines that are gaining 2" of suspension travel? I feel like we've got a pretty diverse (we're pro-DEI here) group of p5 aficionados here and I've never heard of someone doing that unless they add on a long travel kit (@futzin).

I run Walkers on mine and had to basically pry the A-Arms down to get the shock mounting bolts in. There essentially is no 'extra' travel in the design.

 

[futzin]

I saw a YT vid of a guy who put used (Polaris ATV? maybe) shocks on his P5. Had to fab new mounts. Gained height and travel, kept the same width. Wouldn't be (and wasn't) the way I would go. Worth a shot maybe I guess.

As far as getting a better ride within the same travel, my understanding is that better shocks react faster than the stockers. There are several suspension experts on this forum that can expound, for sure. I ain't one of them.

For reference, I own a P500 with Elka stage 1s that I'm happy with; no regrets.
I also own a P500 with a long travel kit which I am THRILLED with.
I further own a P520 on stock shocks, which keeps me grounded.

 

[Brett002]

 

[Brett002]

 

[idiggplants]

Where are you seeing these machines that are gaining 2" of suspension travel? I feel like we've got a pretty diverse (we're pro-DEI here) group of p5 aficionados here and I've never heard of someone doing that unless they add on a long travel kit (@futzin).

I run Walkers on mine and had to basically pry the A-Arms down to get the shock mounting bolts in. There essentially is no 'extra' travel in the design.

Someone else beat me to the youtube of the 1000 sportsman shocks.. That's way more extreme than I want to go, and also requires shock mounts to be moved, and to be honest, I'd worry about over 2" of lift, plus sag on top of that beign rough on the cv joints.

I've also heard a few random shocks that people have put on including ebay cheapy shocks, and some sort of grizzly shock...

But here is the one that really has me interested.

P500 - p5 suspension

hmmmmm i wonder lol Please explain your concern. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

hondasxs.com

They are air shocks, and the guy gets a boatload of travel with stock a arms. Here is another thread about it.

P500 - P-500 Air Suspension Mod- JWB Mod

Started this thread to put all the data, info, experiences, recommendations, etc., to install the Gabriel Hi-jackers(Part #49304) or AC Delco air ride shocks (Part #504557) to completely replace the stock P-500 shocks. The least expensive, and simplest version of this set up, is to just replace...

hondasxs.com

Again, you need to move the sock mounts, but the point is that the actual travel of the suspension can handle more movement, particularly sag, but also compression, depending on tire size. The only reason the mounts are moved in these situations is because people are using misc shocks with different spring rates and incorrect travel lengths. If you could get a shock built specifically with the right preload/travel/mount size, you should be able to get the same effect out of the factory mounts.

 

[idiggplants]

Haha. That guy on the fb group that literally was what got me thinking about this. I honestly thought it was a bit of a scam, but after I saw the video, the guy seems genuine. Buuuut..... The shocks have to be low quality, right?! 120/par? Cmon.

I essentially want a shock with the same specs/spring rate/length that he mentions... but not a crappy ebay shock, something that is the quality of oem or better. He says an extra 0.5" down, 1.5" more up. Definitely better than oem, and I'd probably be very happy with it like that... but knowing that people lift their machines with barely any issues... You could definitely have a similar setup with an even longer shock... Be it keeping you at the oem height, with 2" of extra down travel, or a 1" lift with 1" of extra down travel. I'm just spitballing numbers, but logically I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

[futzin]

Good luck, keep us posted.
The P5 has been out for 10 years, maybe you'll find a cheap solution.

 

[futzin]

Too bad Yawnda isn't the least bit interested in making a trail machine under 64", and we're left trying to adapt their aging utility models. Keeps life interesting, I guess.

 

[Splorin]

Works usta make shock kits 40 yrs ago that would take a wheeler with say, 4.3” to 5”ish. But the benefit was the way better shock. I’ve been moving and tweaking shock mounts forever. CVs just limit what you can get away with. If money’s no object……..

 

[trigger]

Could one not say that about literally every mod done to literally every machine? If you want a more plush suspension, don't buy walker evans, buy a machine with better suspension. If you want more clearance, don't install a lift, get a diffeent machine, if you want more comfort, don't install bucket seats, get a different machine, if you want more storage options, don't add a rack, buy a machine with a bigger bed? See my point? I have a p500, I need a 50" machine. I shouldn't be limited to a crappy ride with no travel because of that if what I want is possible. The discussion is about what is possible, and the answer to that is not "don't ask that question"

This machine has been out for 10 yrs now so nearly every question has been asked already, including yours proven by the 9 yr old thread you're referencing. As for seeing your point, I've done all the mods that you've listed and several others that probably haven't crossed your mind yet. Most anything can be made better by throwing time and money at it, the question is reasonably and that's up to the individual.
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[idiggplants]

This machine has been out for 10 yrs now so nearly every question has been asked already,

Mind pointing me to a thread asking the question I asked? Because I sure havernt seen any discussion about it, and I'd love to read about it.

I'm honestly not sure why you bothered commenting, if all you are going to do is shut down the discussion. Twice now. "I don't know why you would bother doing it" first, and then "its a 10 year old machine, its already been asked" Seems pretty unnecessary and hostile to discussion. I'm sorry we aren't all the expert that you are. Some of us like having discussion, even if its a discussion that has already been had. You are welcome to just not join the discussion if its one you don't want to have..

An smiley emoji isn't going to make your thread crapping any less of a thread crap.. looks like that ignore function is going to come in real handy after this thread.

 

[idiggplants]

Too bad Yawnda isn't the least bit interested in making a trail machine under 64", and we're left trying to adapt their aging utility models. Keeps life interesting, I guess.

Dude, you got that right. I find yamaha to be the perfect balance of reliability but sporty. Miss my grizzly 700. Too bad all they make for the sxs world is jeep sized dune buggies.. Would love a wet clutch cvt 50" or, hell... even 60" machine from yamaha.

 

[idiggplants]

Good luck, keep us posted.
The P5 has been out for 10 years, maybe you'll find a cheap solution.

Doesn't have to even be cheap per se. I'd be fine paying walker evans prices if they made something that had a bit more travel. I might actually drop them a line and see what they say. They might be able to toss some stiffer springs in a different shock they sell and i'd be golden. At this point my motivation to do it are the experts saying I shouldn't bother asking questions like this because it has been discussed already and the machine is meant to ride s***ty and wanting it to ride nicer is silly.

 

[906UP]

Doesn't have to even be cheap per se. I'd be fine paying walker evans prices if they made something that had a bit more travel. I might actually drop them a line and see what they say. They might be able to toss some stiffer springs in a different shock they sell and i'd be golden. At this point my motivation to do it are the experts saying I shouldn't bother asking questions like this because it has been discussed already and the machine is meant to ride s***ty and wanting it to ride nicer is silly.

Never mind listening to the guys who've been modding this rig since it's inception, they don't know anything. I think you should do it, and then let us know what Elka or Walker Evans says. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to build you some custom shocks for 3 times the price but be ready to give them all the specs. Since you seem to know more than them you'll need to educate them on how to do it.

 

[futzin]

Dude, you got that right. I find yamaha to be the perfect balance of reliability but sporty. Miss my grizzly 700. Too bad all they make for the sxs world is jeep sized dune buggies.. Would love a wet clutch cvt 50" or, hell... even 60" machine from yamaha.

The X2 850 is 62", I believe.
I've been chirping for a 60" recreation and/or trail machine from Hahnda for a good while now, but I seem to be a lone voice on that. So, I have a 60" Pioneer 500 with a long travel kit. Fantastic flex and ride, but no power of course.

 

[idiggplants]

Never mind listening to the guys who've been modding this rig since it's inception, they don't know anything.

Odd. From what I can tell, no one has said anything TO listen to? Lol. Mr hot shot trigger didn't even address my question, he just talked about why I shouldn't ask it.

 

[idiggplants]

The X2 850 is 62", I believe.
I've been chirping for a 60" recreation and/or trail machine from Hahnda for a good while now, but I seem to be a lone voice on that. So, I have a 60" Pioneer 500 with a long travel kit. Fantastic flex and ride, but no power of course.

Its so close. 60" for me is really pushing it beyond what I want... 62 isn't much different but it really kills the concept. I'm fine with no power. I just need something that won't lift a tire off the ground when I drive over a twig, lol.