Editor’s note: This article covers ELKA Suspension’s January 2015 introduction of its 2.5-inch Stage 5 shock platform for the Polaris RZR XP 1000. For a broader explanation of the product’s features and adjustments, see our ELKA Stage 5 UTV shock overview.
In January 2015, ELKA Suspension introduced a larger 2.5-inch version of its Stage 5 shock platform for high-performance UTVs. The new aftermarket suspension package had been under development for more than two years and was initially released in limited quantities for the Polaris RZR XP 1000.
The announcement reflected how quickly sport UTV performance was advancing at the time. Machines such as the RZR XP 1000 offered substantially more speed and suspension travel than earlier side-by-sides, creating demand for larger, more sophisticated aftermarket shocks capable of controlling aggressive recreational and racing use.
High-Flow Stage 5 Damping
ELKA based the 2.5-inch platform on its Stage 5 high-flow damping technology. The less-restrictive oil-flow design was intended to deliver a controlled, planted feel while remaining compliant over smaller impacts.
The objective was to let the suspension use only the travel required for a particular impact while maintaining enough damping control deeper in the stroke to resist bottoming. The larger platform was also designed to handle the heat and repeated impacts associated with newer long-travel UTVs.
Four-Way Shock Adjustment
The 2.5-inch Stage 5 shocks provided several ways to tailor suspension performance to the vehicle, terrain and driver:
- Spring preload adjustment
- Rebound damping adjustment
- Low-speed compression damping adjustment
- High-speed compression damping adjustment
Low-speed compression adjustment controls suspension movement caused by inputs such as weight transfer, rolling terrain and cornering. High-speed compression adjustment affects how the shocks respond to faster shaft movement created by sharp edges, rocks, whoops and hard landings.
Adjustable Dual-Rate Spring Crossover
ELKA also incorporated adjustable crossover spacers into the dual-rate spring system. Moving the crossover point allowed the owner or suspension tuner to control when the softer initial spring rate transitioned to the firmer main spring.
This provided another way to balance initial ride comfort with resistance to bottoming deeper in the suspension travel.
ELKA 2.5-Inch Stage 5 Construction
Technical features announced for the 2015 shock platform included:
- A low-friction PTFE-coated shock body
- An induction-hardened 3/4-inch steel shaft
- Hard-anodized, billet-machined aluminum components
- Dual-speed compression adjustment
- Adjustable rebound damping
- Adjustable spring preload and crossover spacers
Although additional UTV applications were planned, the Polaris RZR XP 1000 was the first model announced for the new 2.5-inch platform. That made the release an important step in ELKA’s response to the rapidly growing long-travel sport UTV market of the mid-2010s.
