[928GT]

Starting a new Thread by request with a proper title that better reflects the subject of the Canadian Trail Edition Shocks in the "HL Springs Thread". <a href="http://hondaforeman.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10082" target="_blank">http://hondaforeman.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10082</a> This will help others find this info easier in the future.

Reposting main Info from the other threads :

Here you go, we got it right!!! Genuine Honda Rubicon Canadian Trail Edition Shocks available in the US for approx $320 a SET of FOUR for FOREMANS and Rubicons!! I was able to pick them up the way to Southern Powersports to get my wife's Sport Quad.

I was happily surprised to find out the CTEs are 5-way adjustable, for some reason I thought they were only 3-way.

If anyone wants to get a set of these just call MRCycles (828) 277-8600 , press 300 at the prompt, ask for SHAWN. Tell him you want the "Canadian Trail Edition Shock Special" tell him David said to call, he will know what to do. The price should be right around $320, plus shipping. He can have them in 2-3 days and then shipping time to you. Please be aware we don't know how long we can pull this off and have no idea of supply.

They are truly Bad A$$.. Will post feedback on them next week, going on a family bike trip this weekend.

Just so it is clear I have NO affiliation, financial or other wise with MR Cycles. Shawn has just always taken good care of me and worked with me in finding and getting special parts like this situation.

A big THANK YOU to Honda Mechanic for working with me in finally getting the correct part numbers, he's the BEST!!

QUOTE ("2foremen":1behl65d)

Hi,

Will these shocks work on my 2005 foreman 500 s?

thanks

Will work for sure on all 05-up Foreman 500s and I think 01-up Rubicons.

If we can get some measurements of the distance from top to bottom shock "eyes" on the earlier models we could confirm fitment on those also.

Also someone else may know if the standard shocks are interchangable from the eariler versions to the later ones (or vice versa).

We could check some of the fitment guides for some fo the aftermarket shock companies which would also help confirm the year ranges for their shocks.

 

[jgb_500_06]

Do you have any pics of them installed yet! I was wondering how much height adjustment there is?

 

[H4]

QUOTE ("jgb_500_06":2hwv4qgp)

Do you have any pics of them installed yet! I was wondering how much height adjustment there is?

The adjustment doesn't change the ride height as the bike sits. It changes the preload on the springs to soften or stiffen the ride. At the upper settings the suspension will not settle as much under load.

 

[GTRider245]

I am interested to see how long this will be available. The price is crazy cheap for what you get.

 

[jgb_500_06]

I figured with them being adjustable like the are when you turned up the preload on the shocks that it would also change the hieght of the 4wheeler but who knows!

 

[H4]

Never noticed a change in ride height but never really looked for it either. Bike might sit a little higher but I don't remember the the shocks moving very much at all with no load on the bike.It would be interesting if someone would actually measure the height at the firmest and softest settings to see if theres a difference. Buddys Rubi is at the cabin so I won't get a chance to check it out for awhile.

 

[928GT]

QUOTE ("H4":365wz2e7)

.It would be interesting if someone would actually measure the height at the firmest and softest settings to see if theres a difference. .

I plan on doing that Tuesday or Wed, and comparing it to the stock ones.

 

[Vernon]

What are the knobs, look like a set screw almost, on the preload adjusters?

 

[H4]

QUOTE ("Vernon":2yjzno8e)

What are the knobs, look like a set screw almost, on the preload adjusters?

Thats where you insert the phillips screwdriver from the toolkit to turn the adjusters. I mentioned in another post that the screwdriver is not a very good fit and that it might be a good idea to cut the tip off or make a tool from a piece of rod that would fit better.

 

[928GT]

QUOTE ("H4":3itwt6a3)

QUOTE ("Vernon":3itwt6a3)

What are the knobs, look like a set screw almost, on the preload adjusters?

Thats where you insert the phillips screwdriver from the toolkit to turn the adjusters. I mentioned in another post that the screwdriver is not a very good fit and that it might be a good idea to cut the tip off or make a tool from a piece of rod that would fit better.[/quote]


A 5mm or 5.5mm allen wrench works much better than the screwdriver.

 

[H4zY]

Thanks for all the leg work.... I was just about to buy the HL springs and a Kimpex storage box. After reading up on this I think im gonna change my.

Thanks again.

 

[mudman1]

Thanks again for those involved in this. I talked to Shawn today and ordered my set. Can't wait

 

[Vernon]

QUOTE ("928GT":1n6loppi)

QUOTE ("H4":1n6loppi)

QUOTE ("Vernon":1n6loppi)

What are the knobs, look like a set screw almost, on the preload adjusters?

Thats where you insert the phillips screwdriver from the toolkit to turn the adjusters. I mentioned in another post that the screwdriver is not a very good fit and that it might be a good idea to cut the tip off or make a tool from a piece of rod that would fit better.[/quote]


A 5mm or 5.5mm allen wrench works much better than the screwdriver.[/quote]

Ok thats what I figured it was for. I've been eyeing a set of these for my bike for a while now.

 

[jjn56]

Are there other advantages to these shocks over stock other than they are adjustable?

 

[928GT]

QUOTE ("jjn56":1fuoxibz)

Are there other advantages to these shocks over stock other than they are adjustable?

YES, the Red Springs are cool looking !!!

Seriously, Honda reportedly spent three million dollars developing these Coilovers. The Springs are different from the stock springs, and the shocks have updated valving etc.

For those that have never used or understood adjustable preload coilovers(shock/spring assembly), the main advantage is being able to set the spring preload for the exact weight of the rider and cargo being used at any given time. While some people use this adjustability to make their bike sit higher (or lower) etc, the real reason is to get the shock/suspension in the sweet spot (usually the middle of travel) when loaded with the different weight of riders and/or cargo/attachments.

When you get the suspension in that "sweet spot" it will work the best that it can given the design and the application.

A standard non adjustable shock is always a compromise and the manufacturers try to set it up to cover as large of a rider/cargo weight range as possible. This is never optimal and not only affects Spring rates but also effects shock valving. SO in the real world if you have a rider that only weights 150 lbs with no cargo you will be operating in the upper range of the suspension travel.. At the other end of the spectrum with say a 250lb rider plus cargo boxes, coolers etc you will be operating in the lower range of the suspension travel.... neither way is optimal.

Now with an adjustable preload coilover you can adjust for these variables to get the shock/suspension in the middle of its travel. Due to this the manufacturers can further narrow the fine tuning of the springs and shock valving for a better overall performance of the suspension.

Hope that makes sense...

Bottom line....
non adjustable = BAD, Adjustable = GOOD, and RED = PRICELESS

 

[jjn56]

You had me at they are Red and cool looking
But thanks for the additional info.

Good write up.

 

[928GT]

Well I finally had a chance to get mine on and do some measurements for those that were interested.


On the next to the lowest setting (this is how they come when shipped) the ATV height seems to be the same as the stock coilovers(front and rear). When you go to the lowest setting there is maybe a 1/16" difference (lower) on the front and 1/8" on the rear.. When you go all the way up to the highest setting it is approx 3/4" taller than stock on the front and 5/8" taller on the rear.

All of these measurements were taken as my Foreman is currently loaded (as seen in my avatar) except with no lift to get stock reference. Measurements taken on a level concrete floor, centerline at the center of each wheel to the fender at exact referenced marks. I bounced the suspension between every change.

The results are what I expected and I am VERY pleased so far!

BTW, a 5.5 (5mm will also work) Allen Wrench does work best because you can use the short end of it when the adjuster hole is close to the front tires.

Won't get to ride until this weekend so will give more feedback later.

 

[jjn56]

Do you think this is a better mod than a Long travel/lift kit? It sounds better, I know its not really an apples to apples comparison but do you think there would be a benefit to having this and a long travel/lift kit.

 

[928GT]

QUOTE ("jjn56":17u2y3c6)

Do you think this is a better mod than a Long travel/lift kit? It sounds better, I know its not really an apples to apples comparison but do you think there would be a benefit to having this and a long travel/lift kit.

I have never ridden an ATV with a Perfex LT on it. BUT being able to adjust my spring preload/height 5 different ways in less than a minute for all 4 corners is not a fair comparison for any Lift kit

Now the CTE Coilovers WITH an LT type Lift kit could be interesting...I am just not a fan of all of those steel brackets etc found on current lift kits.

IF I were to make a Lift kit it would be a Billet Aluminum one peice(per corner) lift with a ONE bolt installation ...

 

[JWJR]

it bet it could ride like a caddy with them shocks and long travel lift.

QUOTE ("928GT":1tv3l6uv)

...IF I were to make a Lift kit is would look something like this. A Billet Aluminum one peice lift with a ONE bolt installation ...

Might they lift happen to be a "badd" lift ?