P700 Best use of money on shocks

[Squirrel Man Sam]

Just wanted to get folks thoughts on shocks. Been reading through a lot of the many many threads on shocks, and trying to make a decision. We love our 700-2, and it has plenty of power for the type of riding we do, but I get pretty beat up on the ride. I would love a set of Fox shocks, but at $1,600+ it's a bit of a tough pill to swallow. I've looked at Commander shocks, but there isn't a ton on the market, and a lot of the one's I've seen seem to be off 6,000 mile or more machines. I've also been considering doing the 1000 front shocks all around. Seems like it might not be too bad, but I'd still be paying a few hundred dollars after getting the shocks and the bushings.

I guess I'm wondering is doing the 1000 shocks, or finding a good set of Commander shocks worth spending the money on, or should I just wait till I can bite the bullet on a set of Fox shocks? I've heard the Fox's are fantastic, and while many comment that 1000s or Commanders are an improvement, are they such a big improvement that I wouldn't be wishing I'd just have bought the Fox's? I know this might be a bit subjective, but curious what you think.

The riding I do is all hard pack. Mostly gravel trails where I'm hitting a lot of wash boarding and rocks.

 

[Admin]

 

[Backwoods]

I used to have a 700. Look at Rough Country or Elka. You don’t have but so much travel to work with. Elka will customize to your needs

 

[906UP]

Elka Stage 1s, best bang for the buck

 

[Squirrel Man Sam]

Looking at them, the rough country shocks look to be a little better price. Looks like they only technically offer them for the 1000's, so I'm assuming I'd buy 4 fronts and do a bushing kit just like if I was doing take off's

The Elka's seem nice, but that looks like another $1,600 option. Gotta pay to play I guess, lol

 

[906UP]

Looking at them, the rough country shocks look to be a little better price. Looks like they only technically offer them for the 1000's, so I'm assuming I'd buy 4 fronts and do a bushing kit just like if I was doing take off's

The Elka's seem nice, but that looks like another $1,600 option. Gotta pay to play I guess, lol

If you rode in a buggy with the Elkas you'd be sold on them for sure, buy once.....cry once.

 

[Backwoods]

If you rode in a buggy with the Elkas you'd be sold on them for sure, buy once.....cry once.

This ^^^^^ you will be much happier in the long run. You get what you pay for.

 

[Mudwisel]

The following is just my opinion from personal experience, having owned the 700 and some knowledge of suspension. The commander shocks a big jump in ride quality and are worth it if you can find some at the right price.Not direct bolt on but very easy to do. They are not a high end shock by any means but much better than what Honda puts on these. Elkas are nice. I had a set of stage one on the 700. a little pricey when you can get the bandits with more adjustment at about the same price. Had those on my 700 also. They were my favorite. Actually run bandit on my 1000. Me personally I would never really want a digressive piston set up for offroad use. This is what the rough country is. Not saying it is not better than stock. Just about anything is. They are an alternative choice and a lot lower price point than the others and if that is all your budget will allow nothing wrong with it. If your budget allows I would say in no particular order
Elka
Bandit
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