LTX-SE Stock Shocks-Rebuild vs Aftermarket

[rnusr01]

Hi Guys

I am debating what to do with the shocks on me LTX-SE. I am a pretty aggressive rider and find the stock shocks to be lacking compression and rebound, they feel kinda "dead". Was considering sending stock shocks to Hygear for rebuild/revalve and new springs or buying 4 new aftermarket shocks. The cost to do stock shocks is about $1000 while new aftermarket would be double that just not sure how much better if any the aftermarket ones would be than the rebuilt/revalved stockers.

Anyone have experience with this? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

rnusr01

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Maybe aim to get the top dog Qs3R shocks, and do it one or two at a time....I would bet you could get away with 3 total and have a great ride. Center shock is the least needed is my guess.

You could start with the rear shock only, and then see how the ride is. Then grab 2 fronts. There was a set of qs3(T-cat type) in classifieds here and also on another sled forum. Not sure if they are gone now, but would be a big savings if you can find used. Maybe check out Ian at Monster perf, not sure if he deals alot with Yam/Cat shocks but he always has a ton of deals and takes trades which reduces cost alot.

I had my eye on a few killer leftover SE models last spring, and wanted to badly to find the "good shocks" but they are hard to find unless you buy new, and so I just went with a new LE as the shocks are what make this heavy model sled ride like a dream. The 4tec doo X model I had did pretty well with the X shocks, but that is a lighter 4s model then these are, and it still could not take the pounding when things got really rough, like these Qs3R do.

Dan

 

[Soldier'spapa]

I’m new to this chassis so I will refrain from offering advise. It would help if you told us which shocks you were thinking of switching to. It does get frustration when you don’t get what you want from revalving. I have traveled that route...

 

[rnusr01]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am open to any of the best of breed shock companies. Here is my dilemma. Perhaps I am wrong but aren't these valved and sprung for the masses also? I would hate to spend the money then have to pay again for proper valving spring combos.

 

[Soldier'spapa]

I spoke with a tech at Hygear last week regarding possibly adding dual rate springs to the QS3 R’s that my new sled will have. His suggestion to me was that I try it first because the shock package is “that good” and likely valved spot on for my weight (215) right from the factory. I was told that if I wanted Hygear’s dual rate springs, in order to install them I’d have to send them the shocks. They would need to be disassembled to get their springs in place.

I’m going to follow their recommendation and am interested in hearing what you decide!

I wonder what the used market is like for your current shocks?

 

[ROCKERDAN]

The LE models with Qs3R shocks are by far the best sprung stock setup ever to date IMO. Hard to believe the difference from that horrible riding 12 cat I had(basically same chassie) with those floats, to how incredible these LE models ride. I pounded Toms sled very hard one particular day when things were butchered bad. Both me and my bud swapping were blown away that this heavy pig could be put through these moguls like this with never a bottom. It sold me on going with nothing but the LE model with these shocks.

Im not sure how close Tcat Qs3 shocks are, and they might be really close(they dont have Rebound- no "r") overall, but cant say for sure. I know you can order the tcat shocks from cat at a really decent price NEW. But I would compare them to the cost of the LE or RR models(with rebound) and if they are close at all in cost id go for the top line for sure.

As for aftermarket, you will likely pay alot more for many of the hi end brands....and never be sure where you need to valve them, that is the key here....proper valving for this sled, and cat/yam hit nail on head with these sleds valving. I think they came with them in 15 or 16, and so they have a few seasons now under their belt to get them spot on. I always recall a guy with a 16 or so that said he was blown away how good his rode(cat) when I told him how crummy my 12 was. Its all in these shocks.

Dan

 

[snowbeast]

Maybe aim to get the top dog Qs3R shocks, and do it one or two at a time....I would bet you could get away with 3 total and have a great ride. Center shock is the least needed is my guess.

You could start with the rear shock only, and then see how the ride is. Then grab 2 fronts. There was a set of qs3(T-cat type) in classifieds here and also on another sled forum. Not sure if they are gone now, but would be a big savings if you can find used. Maybe check out Ian at Monster perf, not sure if he deals alot with Yam/Cat shocks but he always has a ton of deals and takes trades which reduces cost alot.

I had my eye on a few killer leftover SE models last spring, and wanted to badly to find the "good shocks" but they are hard to find unless you buy new, and so I just went with a new LE as the shocks are what make this heavy model sled ride like a dream. The 4tec doo X model I had did pretty well with the X shocks, but that is a lighter 4s model then these are, and it still could not take the pounding when things got really rough, like these Qs3R do.

Dan

Dan,just so you know,thundercat shocks are not the same shocks on a Yamaha LTX-LE,if you want what cat has in our same class shocks you will need to get the RR sleds shocks,and dollar for dollar there RR shocks are identical to our LE shocks except there price is more. Check Babbitts.online.com

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Dan,just so you know,thundercat shocks are not the same shocks on a Yamaha LTX-LE,if you want what cat has in our same class shocks you will need to get the RR sleds shocks,and dollar for dollar there RR shocks are identical to our LE shocks except there price is more. Check Babbitts.online.com

Fully aware of that Pete....

If you read my post, I am talking about the used set of Tcat shocks which are qs3 shocks, and are cheaper then 'R" shocks. I thought the post was pretty clear what I wrote, maybe take another read it will make more sense. And the post above yours too.

 

[rnusr01]

Thanks for the feedback. I have to say the Elka shocks look pretty sweet. You would think the shock "specialists" would know the sh!t and how to valve/spring accordingly for rider style/weight etc. Hmm

 

[cannondale27]

Thanks for the feedback. I have to say the Elka shocks look pretty sweet. You would think the shock "specialists" would know the sh!t and how to valve/spring accordingly for rider style/weight etc. Hmm

Some do. Some don’t. Helps if you can ride a sled with the shocks your getting then when you order them you can specify same valving with owners permission of course. Everyone has thier own preferences but like these guys have said the qs3r sure has made almost everyone happy. Not so much the base Qs3.

 

[snowbeast]

Fully aware of that Pete....

If you read my post, I am talking about the used set of Tcat shocks which are qs3 shocks, and are cheaper then 'R" shocks. I thought the post was pretty clear what I wrote, maybe take another read it will make more sense. And the post above yours too.

Yes,so sorry dan,i saw it just after I posted.