Hygear or Elka

[mikextx]

What sled do you have?

 

[IH8CROWS]

I see the little air inlet you guys are talking about in the pics now.
I don't think I seen that on mine. Now you got me wondering, so I'll have to look when done with work.
Here are the instructions I got and also notice the air inlet thingy. They say nothing about it though

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1..._SS_Instructions_NoYT.pdf?8368240871646732956

I have a apex 2016 129 track.

Also this is my first single shot skid.
So is the only way to increase or decrease ski pressure by the strap only?... seeing there is no longer a rear/front spring??

 

[IH8CROWS]

Just looked and mine does have the air inlet thingy

 

[mikextx]

Well, there it is then. Airvalve means it takes air. Thanks for looking at that. Based off of IH8CROWS shock, price, and the fact that hygear doesnt respond back to me (which pisses me off). I think ill buy the Elka. How much air pressure do you have in your front shocks? If i go over 70lbs or so, much sled handles worse.

 

[IH8CROWS]

Just call them. They answer right away .

I got lucky and have coil over shocks on the front

 

[IH8CROWS]

Elkas only fit the xtx they told me?
I called and that's what they said

 

[IH8CROWS]

The valve could be for nitrogen or whatever they put in shocks? I dunno

 

[20/80]

In your instructions page 7, the number 2 set of instructions on that page is what through me off about adding air to this shock.

 

[mikextx]

In your instructions page 7, the number 2 set of instructions on that page is what through me off about adding air to this shock.

Same here. It clearly says to add air. I have an XTX, so the Elka should be fine

 

[20/80]

Not 100% sure but I read somewhere that the elka's rub the grease nipples with some binding on the S shot, not sure if elka addressed this or not, I personally think the Hygear shock is the better even if air is part of the dialing in, just seems more engineered toward the S shot suspension, just saying.

 

[provfisherman]

Well I have the Elka installed on my XTX and have just over 300 km on it and I am more then happy with it. Compared to that piece of garbage that came with the sled, it rides like a totally different machine. I looked at the Hygear, but my decision to go with the Elka was based not only on the price difference, but on the fact that the Elka was a simple bolt in and the Hygear involved drilling out some brackets, and moving stuff around and I like simple, so............ I have not seen any issue with rubbing grease fittings, but hey only 300 km, maybe I haven't ridden it hard enough yet to see that, if it exists.

 

[Mr Mojorisin]

Well I have the Elka installed on my XTX and have just over 300 km on it and I am more then happy with it. Compared to that piece of garbage that came with the sled, it rides like a totally different machine. I looked at the Hygear, but my decision to go with the Elka was based not only on the price difference, but on the fact that the Elka was a simple bolt in and the Hygear involved drilling out some brackets, and moving stuff around and I like simple, so............ I have not seen any issue with rubbing grease fittings, but hey only 300 km, maybe I haven't ridden it hard enough yet to see that, if it exists.

The Hygear kit is a more thought out set up with all the hardware they want installed. Over time the 10mm bolt that holds the shock on will bend in a slight U shape and will be difficult to remove. A larger 7/16" bolt is used with the Hygear. There are also other modifications needed if installing on a 129" suspension. Both the shorter and longer rear Apex suspensions will bend the 10mm bolt on the lower end of the shock.

 

[provfisherman]

The Hygear kit is a more thought out set up with all the hardware they want installed. Over time the 10mm bolt that holds the shock on will bend in a slight U shape and will be difficult to remove. A larger 7/16" bolt is used with the Hygear. There are also other modifications needed if installing on a 129" suspension. Both the shorter and longer rear Apex suspensions will bend the 10mm bolt on the lower end of the shock.

Well, not sure if that is true, but since the bolt that came with the Elka shock is the same diameter as the stock one, seems to me that that bending should not be a serious issue. Yeah it is a little longer, but it is not like it is unsupported. And since Yamaha engineers thought is was good enough for the stock shock, I do not have an issue with that. But hey, to each their own and if you are happy with the mods required to use the Hygear, have at it. I just was not.

 

[Snorunner]

I see the little air inlet you guys are talking about in the pics now.
I don't think I seen that on mine. Now you got me wondering, so I'll have to look when done with work.
Here are the instructions I got and also notice the air inlet thingy. They say nothing about it though

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1..._SS_Instructions_NoYT.pdf?8368240871646732956

I have a apex 2016 129 track.

Also this is my first single shot skid.
So is the only way to increase or decrease ski pressure by the strap only?... seeing there is no longer a rear/front spring??

If you don’t mind me asking. Have you gone for a ride? Yet and how do you like it? I need 2 of these kits. So looking at $1650.00 expense. Thanks.

 

[provfisherman]

If you don’t mind me asking. Have you gone for a ride? Yet and how do you like it? I need 2 of these kits. So looking at $1650.00 expense. Thanks.

Well I have put about 700 km on my Elka coil over on a 146 singleshot and although I still have some small fine tuning to do on the rebound adjustment, it is like a new sled. Instead of riding on a two by four supported system, I actually have suspension now. Also, I no longer have that little feeling in the back of my mind that if the air shock leaks, I am screwed, instead, I can now still ride my machine even if the shock leaks as the spring will still support the machine.