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Offline skidoo440

Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« on: July 09, 2021, 06:57:07 AM »
18 zf800trail.  Just trying to decide which route to go?  Do the springs make that much difference?

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2021, 07:46:41 AM »
The springs make a huge difference. I loved mine.
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Offline doug80638

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2021, 09:38:37 AM »

Something to consider:

How many miles on the machine?  How soon would you expect to replace the factory shocks?

I would advise anyone with a new machine to get the springs. They're cheap and effective.

But if you have 2K miles on it, you might bite the bullet and get new shocks/springs. I really like the bandit shocks.
2017 Zforce 800 - Red
SuperATV Flip windshield
Tusk soft rear window
Uni-Filter foam air filter
Bandit springs

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Offline Sockman

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2021, 10:09:06 AM »

I really like the bandit shocks.

I do, too.  Mostly.  Little disappointed that I had to rebuild them after a year.  I've done the fronts, but haven't taken the rears off, yet.  I suspect they're blown out as well.
2017 Zforce 800 EX
UNI filter, SuperATV high clearance a-arms, half windshield, nerf bars, Windjammer rear window, overhead storage, Bighorns, Bandit suspension Gen3 shocks, rear camera

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Offline skidoo440

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2021, 10:45:04 AM »
500 miles on machine. 
Will most shops rebuild these cfmoto branded shocks?

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Offline Sockman

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2021, 11:50:59 AM »
500 miles on machine. 
Will most shops rebuild these cfmoto branded shocks?

I'm a novice shock rebuilder (done it once), but I don't think the stockers are rebuildable.

And, I couldn't get a shock rebuilder to do the Bandits.  Thus, I learned how to do it myself.  Bandit UTV was good about sending pics of the rebuild process, selling the seal kits, etc.  I think the first shock took me 3 hours, the second one took 20 minutes.  I had to make a tool.  Buying the regulator for the nitrogen is the biggest expense. 
2017 Zforce 800 EX
UNI filter, SuperATV high clearance a-arms, half windshield, nerf bars, Windjammer rear window, overhead storage, Bighorns, Bandit suspension Gen3 shocks, rear camera

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2021, 12:11:22 PM »
500 miles on machine. 
Will most shops rebuild these cfmoto branded shocks?
At first I hear they were not rebuildable but sence then I hear some have been able to so...it's up in the air a bit.
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Offline Sockman

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2021, 10:13:38 AM »
500 miles on machine. 
Will most shops rebuild these cfmoto branded shocks?
At first I hear they were not rebuildable but sence then I hear some have been able to so...it's up in the air a bit.

I've looked them over, and I'm not sure how you would.  The reservoir doesn't have an inlet for nitro recharge, and it doesn't look like the shaft cap screws off.  Plus, where would you get the seal kit?
2017 Zforce 800 EX
UNI filter, SuperATV high clearance a-arms, half windshield, nerf bars, Windjammer rear window, overhead storage, Bighorns, Bandit suspension Gen3 shocks, rear camera

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #8 on: July 10, 2021, 10:29:53 AM »
500 miles on machine. 
Will most shops rebuild these cfmoto branded shocks?
At first I hear they were not rebuildable but sence then I hear some have been able to so...it's up in the air a bit.

I've looked them over, and I'm not sure how you would.  The reservoir doesn't have an inlet for nitro recharge, and it doesn't look like the shaft cap screws off.  Plus, where would you get the seal kit?
Plus..IMO, these are the lowest quality Chinese throw-aways ever. Why waste any money on rebuilding them at all. "They ain't Elkas or Fox..or even Bandits!" The spring replacements are almost too much but if there is enough life left in the shock...sure. For me I blew a front shock only about 150 miles after installing the springs. Didn't think twice about rebuilding or repairing...just bought new Bandits. Still very happy with them. 
« Last Edit: July 10, 2021, 10:32:53 AM by NMKawierider »
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Offline glenlivet

Re: Bandit springs or stage 1 elkas
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2021, 06:13:15 PM »
Something to consider, just changing springs you retain the very limited working range of the stock shock units. The Elka stage 1 has 3/4" more rear travel and 1 1/4" more travel up front. X 1.5 or so for the travel at the knuckle.
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