Elka Suspension

[RockyDS]

Elka of Quebec manufacture custom-built shock absorbers for a number of dual sport bike. I enquired last year if they had a solution for the Super Tenere and at that time they did not see a demand. However things have changed and I enquired again. Here is the resonse:

On Wed, Mar 5, 2014 at 7:24 AM, John Ilkiw <jilkiw@elkasuspension.com> wrote:

Hello,

Yes indeed we are going to bring a bike in here for development. We have been getting demand for this bike and have decided to move forward. You may want to spread the word with the community if you are on any forums for Super Tenere riders, as I may be open to doing a group buy.

Regards,

John Ilkiw
Motorcycle Products
_____________________
ELKA SUSPENSION INC.
1585-M, De Coulomb
Boucherville, Quebec
Canada, J4B 8J7
Phone: 450-655-4855 ext.257
Toll Free: 1-800-557-0552 ext.257
Fax: 450-655-2821
www.elkasuspension.com

 

[SpaceTraveler]

Thanks for sharing, that is a great news! I will contact them for sure!

 

[sportsguy]

Maybe THEY want to spread the word...

 

[RockyDS]

Maybe THEY want to spread the word...

They do. Nothing wrong with us helping if there's a mutual benefit, is there?

 

[tkad]

I was one of the few that contacted Elka last year, still in the market. I would be most interested in a group buy.

 

[SpaceTraveler]

Great news! They might come next week to pick up my bike to work on their new suspension. You might get some news very soon.

 

[tkad]

should we define our wants beforehand...we want it all of course but it comes at a price, I suppose. how about this, I will start with a list of what I believe I want and what I have seen others comment on how satisfied, say, an Ohlins owner is. if the reader wants more, copy and modify this to include your ideas and re-post. some consensus will help Elka deliver the goods.

hydraulically adjustable preload
adjustable high speed compression
remote reservoir (probably the only construction possible) for ease of adjustment and mounting plate/bracket
800# spring? (i'm sure Elka will suss that out for us 200lb + average riders)

 

[SpaceTraveler]

Here is a quick preview of what is coming on the the Super Tenere this week.

New Elka suspention will be built and tested on my bike and ready for production soon.

 

[greg the pole]

don't mean to Jack the thread,
but what is an affordable rear shock with the options that you're after?

Keep in mind that remote preload always adds $150-200 to the price of any shock,
ditto for compression adj (low/high speed) or one speed only.

that said

::017::

My Yacugar is doing just fine. Had to make a horrible side trip to southern California to pick it up

 

[TenereStreets]

Looking forward to hearing more about this. I'm considering upgrading the suspension as well.

 

[greg the pole]

Looking forward to hearing more about this. I'm considering upgrading the suspension as well.

If you're in SoCal, hit up Ted at the beemer shop.
He did my shock, and it's awesome.

here's a pretty much complete price list from about 2 yrs ago:
Wilbers model 640 with manual preload and rebound damping adjust: $569.00.

This is their basic shock, so the lowest price and good for mostly street riding.

You can add hydraulic preload adjust which makes the total price $818.00.



Wilbers model 641 with remote reservoir and 3 way damping (hi/low speed compression circuits) with manual preload adjust: $849.00.

This is a great value for a 3 way shock and will give max street performance and best for off road riding.

You can add remote hydraulic preload adjust which makes the total price $1098.00.

Wilbers are built to your weight and riding style in Germany. They are fully rebuildable (can be rebuilt by us or any shock rebuilding shop) and have a five year warranty.

There is another product from Europe we also really like known as Yacugar. It is the same company as Hyperpro but without the progressive spring which we have never really liked. Yacugar is built in Holland with the same features as Wilbers but larger diameter shaft so it is a bit more durable. They are normally a little more expensive but they are on special right now:

Yacugar Model E-RS same features as Wilbers 640 normally $619.00, on sale for $557.00.

Add hydraulic preload adjust: Normally $868.00, on sale for $781.00.



Yacugar model F-RS same as Wilbers 641: Normally $959.00, on sale for $863.00.

Add hydraulic preload, normally $1208.00, on sale for $1087.00

Thanks for the inquiry. We sell many brands of shocks, although we prefer the steel body shocks from Europe for their durability, less frequent rebuilding, and excellent warranty. Let me know if you have any questions.


A $300.00 deposit is all that's required to get the order going. The shock is built in Europe to your weight and riding style, we receive them in about 3 weeks then ship to you.

Ted Porter

Ph: 831-438-1100 ext 113
Cell: 831-420-7776
Fax: 831-438-1104
www.beemershop.com

 

[TenereStreets]

^thanks for the info.

 

[EricV]

It's getting to the point were we need a sticky thread for suspension options. Thanks for the input SpaceTraveler and Greg the Pole.

I've had Wilbers in the past and it worked well for me. Not the latest tech, but worked well, adjusted easily, (I had the remote hyd pre-load 2-way), and didn't need re-builds every 20k miles. I typically went 40-50k w/o issues.

Still a chunk of cash. I wish I still lived close to a good suspension shop instead of a solid day ride away. It's really nice to just ride over and talk to them, ride back and have it done, then get their help setting it up.

 

[avc8130]

Wow, and I thought I was behaving for once not hijacking a suspension thread! ::009::

ac

 

[greg the pole]

well you know. We do what we can.

Now back to scheduled programming ::015::

 

[SpaceTraveler]

They told me they are testing the stock suspension on dyno tomorrow, and working on the new product on Wednesday. I must be there and I will take pictures.

I will post as soon as possible.

So far, It looks very promising, and a Great product with an awesome team of real riders.

 

[SpaceTraveler]

::015::

Very exciting day at Elka today!

From what I understand, the product they are developing for the Super Tenere will use their newest technology. It is in development for some time now, but it is not on the market yet for any other bike.

It is not every day you can access the R&D department of a company like Elka, and I feel very lucky the allowed me to be there.

::006::

So Here is the pics!

 

[snakebitten]

Sweeeeeet!

 

[RockyDS]

Sweeeeeet!

Indeed!

Great pics too.

It will be interesting to see what transpires.

 

[greg the pole]

Indeed!

Looks like a remote hyd. preload
two way compression (hi/lo)

I'm going to go ahead and play a little price is right.
my best guess... $1200 CDN