Honda Pioneer Forum banner
1 - 20 of 72 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
1,396 Posts
Nice find. Any experience with the brand?
 

· Premium Member
Joined
·
365 Posts
I put fox 2.0 shocks and springs on my rzr $1000 and it was the best mod I ever did for it. It felt like I doubled the amount of suspension I had. I am not sure if just a shock alone with out matched springs will be as effective. Walker Evans are one of the best shocks made but for that kind of money they should include springs IMO.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
81 Posts
I had a Kawasaki Teryx LE model, which came with upgraded shocks, and it rode noticeably better than the Pioneer. The Teryx suspension was very close to the Pioneer in design and travel so I am assuming the upgraded shocks are what made the difference.

Therefore, even though my Pioneer was purchased primarily for utility work, I am seriously considering upgrading the shocks. Yes this seems like a pricey update, and somewhat of an overkill for a utility machine, but my Pioneer does see some recreation usage too.

My usage is strictly in desert terrain, and in that application there are two noticeable deficiencies in the Pioneer, tires & suspension. I immediately upgraded the tires so it looks like the shocks are next. Besides, even with those two upgrades I will probably still have less in it than I would if I had bought another brand.

I hear Walker Evans are good shocks and I may get them now if I can find them at a discount, but if not I may wait until King and Fox come out with theirs before I make my final decision. Hopefully it isn't too much longer.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
664 Posts
my buddy has an upgraded set on his tyrex im going to see what brand they are tomorrow but he doesnt have much flex and the ride isn't as good as the pioneer. we pulled one side up on a tree stump and there was only 3 inches difference in the front tires with 1 tire floating
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,396 Posts
Qualt. I'm thinking of upgrading at least my fronts and then backs down the road. I was heavily considering these, but... Nothing is selling these to me though. Price is too high. They don't keep stock on hand, and I was told 1 1/2 weeks for turn around.

I think your idea of waiting for now is the best route. Maybe I'll drop Fox a line and see if they have any thoughts on hooking up the Pioneer.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
81 Posts
Qualt. I'm thinking of upgrading at least my fronts and then backs down the road. ........................ Maybe I'll drop Fox a line and see if they have any thoughts on hooking up the Pioneer.
That was my thought as well, upgrade the front and see if I even need to do the back. I am in a little different position than most in that the Pioneer isn't my only off road vehicle. Therefore I can live with less performance and more utility, so even a mild upgrade might be fine.

Someone on this forum mentioned using take-off shocks from another brand and that might be an inexpensive solution. However, even though I'm sure there is something out there that would work, trying to find the right ones, that match the leverage geometry, vehicle weight, spring rate, etc, might be tough. My guess is that Walker Evans, even with computers, probably still physically tried numerous combinations before finalizing their product.........At least I would hope they did.

So yes please do drop Fox (or King) a line and see if they also have anything in the works. But I'm sure if we wait someone here will come up with something better.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
100 Posts
This is an email I got from Elka

Our R&D will be working on this vehicle within 2-3 weeks, I will get back in touch with you as soon as I have more information on it.

Regards,

Yann Guilbeault
Sales Representative
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,396 Posts
Thanks for sharing the info 998
 

· Registered
Joined
·
74 Posts
I was also in touch with Elka and received confirmation they will be looking at the Pioneer. They have tentatively stated stage 1 and stage 4, TBC. I have offered my vehicle for development as I am near by. From my research, Elka is probably the top of the line that will be available for the Pioneer.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
81 Posts
Well I did it.

Well I did it. I ordered a set of Walker Evans shocks for my Pioneer 4. Therefore in several weeks I should be able to report on how much of an improvement they make (I expect it to be significant).

I ordered them out of a Mid West dealer and was told to expect them in about two weeks. However it may be sooner if Walker Evans drop ships them direct as they are only 100 miles north of me.

These shocks, along with my tire upgrade (and then selling my stock tires & wheels) should add a little over $2000 to what I currently have in the Pioneer.

That really isn't out of line when one considers that is about the same additional cost an upgraded Limited Edition model usually is for other brand Side x Sides. Therefore, since Honda doesn't offer a LE model yet, we will just do it ourselves.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
100 Posts
What did you end up paying for them?
 

· Premium Member
Joined
·
367 Posts
Congrats on the purchase! Cant wait to get some feedback!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
81 Posts
I will try to answer several questions in one reply.

I ordered the reservoir shocks but the non-reservoir model probably would work just as well for my application (and cheaper too). However, you sometimes never know until it's too late and then you wish you would have spent the money for the better ones. Like many people I didn't want to spend the additional money but I did. I also got both the front & rear.

The total price with shipping was under $1600.00. Yeah that is a pricy upgrade for a vehicle that will never be a true performance machine, but as I stated, that's still about what an upgrade costs for a factory LE model. Moreover, since I have two SxS's I want the Pioneer to be able to somewhat keep up with my 900 RZR, and right now, even at moderate speeds, it lags way behind; mostly because of the suspension.

I don't know what kind of sales arrangement Walker Evans has with their dealers so I'm not going to post the actual price, or the dealer, but I will for anyone who sends me a private message. Then if one of the moderators (or anyone else) chooses to post it, they can do it.

As for feedback, give me about three weeks or more depending on the delivery time. I don't keep my Pioneer at home, I store it at my desert place, so even after I receive them it may be several days before they get installed and tested.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,396 Posts
Thanks for the update qualt. I contacted Fox and have yet to hear a peep. So either our Pioneering community isn't a big priority or they are just that far behind on responses.
 
1 - 20 of 72 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top