I've decided the best upgrade route on my 2020 Trail model was to go with the full Ricochet skid set, Bandit (medium load) springs and 27" tires.  I think this will give me the best compromise for additional lift, ride comfort and protection considering the suspension limitations of the Trail models.  Got my skid plate set on order but the Bandit springs are out of stock for the next 8 weeks.  I haven't decided on tires.  I was looking at the Kenda Bear Claw HTR only to find out they are not available in 27" diameter.  Bighorn 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 are all available in 27" so I may go that route.  I'm certainly open to tire suggestions.  I'm out west so I'm looking for a tire that is better in rocky hard terrain over mud use.   

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

There are a number of great tires out there now and most have 27s. I love the GBC Grim Reapers however as they were my overall favorite on my ATV, the weight allocation difference on a UTV effects their cornering performance. My next tires were going to be their Dirt Commanders as they have great reviews and they were one of Dirt Trax's favorite tire. Now you have so many other great tires like the Sedona Rock-A-Billy (no 27s though) and ITP's Blackwater Evolution...and even Maxxis's Carnivores, the choices become a little tougher. But..I will never buy a set of Big Horns. Although they will last a very long time, they ...IMO suck...for lateral control and some rock situations. But for me, using my Z less then 500 miles per year, looks like I will never wear-out these Reapers so..it's a mute point. Good luck with your choice. If you have trouble getting that set of springs from bandit, I do have a near-new front set you can have for 25 bucks plus shipping. Loved them..but I blew one front shock so I bough the set of Bandits for the front. Love then too and will buy a set for the back when one of those goes. Great upgrade.   

Thank you so much for the tire recommendations.  I'll definitely take a look at the GBC tires you are recommending.  Regarding your Bandit Springs for the front are they the medium firmness spring (Bandit shows a soft and a medium).  Do you know if Bandit sells in just pairs/axles?  Their website just shows a set.  If i can buy the rears separately I may be interested in your front set.  I'm not far from you so shipping should be pretty minimal.   

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Thank you so much for the tire recommendations.  I'll definitely take a look at the GBC tires you are recommending.  Regarding your Bandit Springs for the front are they the medium firmness spring (Bandit shows a soft and a medium).  Do you know if Bandit sells in just pairs/axles?  Their website just shows a set.  If i can buy the rears separately I may be interested in your front set.  I'm not far from you so shipping should be pretty minimal.   

Yes, just call them, talk to sales. They will break-up the fronts and rears as needed. They did that for me on the front shocks.As for the springs, when Bandit and I were working on what spring rates they should be, we settled on one, the 175lb for the front and 200lb for the rears. They sense added one extra rate. I can't tell you if these are the medium or softs. Call and ask what the actual spring rates are. The front 175s were the do-all and don't require much if any preload to sit are factory ride height so...maybe they consider then meds. If fact, the set I have one of the first...if not the first set of the production run.

You have pretty much my setup! Trail 800, Ricochet skids, 27" tires, and Elka shocks, stage 1.
One thing about the Elkas over the Bandit springs is the Elka allow more suspension travel than the stock shocks. When you look at the dust wipers on the fully extended stock shocks you can see how appallingly little shock travel they actually have. Every additional bit is precious.  I think the back Elkas added 3/4" and the front added 1 1/4" travel which is basically times 1.5 at the tire.

I also run 6 lbs air front and 8 lbs rear (Pretty stiff sidewall Wanda Bighorn copies) so the suspension doesn't hammer me like it did.

Well the Elka stage 1 shocks ring up at about $950 plus shipping (Elka's site) which is cheaper than the Bandit shocks although it looks like Bandit may be redoing their product/pricing as in the last couple of days the prices on their Cf Moto shocks have been removed.  The Bandit springs alone come in at just $169 which is a much more palatable upgrade after dropping almost a grand for the skid plates.  I found a great price on GBC Grim Reapers at Chaparral Motorsports but they are out of stock on the 27x11x14 rear tire.   

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Well the Elka stage 1 shocks ring up at about $950 plus shipping (Elka's site) which is cheaper than the Bandit shocks although it looks like Bandit may be redoing their product/pricing as in the last couple of days the prices on their Cf Moto shocks have been removed.  The Bandit springs alone come in at just $169 which is a much more palatable upgrade after dropping almost a grand for the skid plates.  I found a great price on GBC Grim Reapers at Chaparral Motorsports but they are out of stock on the 27x11x14 rear tire.   

I have to tell you that although I still love my Reapers, they are not the best on the 800 trail if you like to power-slide. They can be a little unpredictable...as in sometimes they do a controlled slide just fine where other times that center rib tips-in like a squeegee and grabs right in the middle of a slide making it try to turn over. I will say the new Bandit shocks help with the body roll and they are much more predictable now that it stays flatter. Also, I bought mine from Discount Tire and these are out of round a little. They shake a little at speed. My 26"s in the Brute didn't so...maybe it's something with the 27s...I don't know. I will say the Reapers are the best snow tire I ever had...almost like cheating. The guys I ride with always me me break trail.