18 zf800trail.  Just trying to decide which route to go?  Do the springs make that much difference?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

The springs make a huge difference. I loved mine.

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.

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.

500 miles on machine. 
Will most shops rebuild these cfmoto branded shocks?

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. 

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

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.

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?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

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. 

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.