The CFMOTO ZFORCE Z10 arrives with one of the more advanced factory suspension packages in its class. Its 2.5-inch FOX QSE piggyback-reservoir shocks give the driver electronic control over compression damping through Soft, Medium and Firm settings.
Suspension Direct Inc. (SDi) is building on that factory hardware with a series of upgrades that can take the Z10 from electronically adjustable suspension to a more comprehensive semi-active system. Owners can approach the upgrades in four levels: E-CLIK electronic shock control, E-LINK dynamic sway-bar control, a spring kit and custom internal valving.
We got a closer look at the system on a CFMOTO ZFORCE Z10 displayed in the SDi booth at the 2026 Sand Sports Super Show.
Understanding the Factory FOX QSE Suspension
Before looking at the SDi upgrades, it is important to understand what comes on the Z10. The factory 2.5-inch FOX QSE shocks use electronic compression adjusters controlled through the steering-wheel buttons or the vehicle’s touchscreen.
The driver can choose among three compression settings:
- Soft: The most compliant setting for comfort and rough, slower-speed terrain.
- Medium: A balanced setting intended for general trail riding.
- Firm: Additional compression damping for more aggressive driving and larger impacts.
CFMOTO ZFORCE Z10 with 2.5-inch FOX QSE Shocks
These settings make it easy to adjust the suspension without leaving the cab, but they are still fixed settings. Once the driver selects Soft, Medium or Firm, the shocks remain at that compression level until another setting is selected.
That makes the factory FOX QSE system electronically adjustable, but not semi-active. A semi-active system continually changes damping in response to vehicle movement, terrain and driver inputs.
For more information about the vehicle and our driving impressions, see our CFMOTO ZFORCE Z10 review.
Level 1: SDi E-CLIK With the Factory FOX Shocks
The first upgrade level adds the SDi E-CLIK Active Pro system while retaining the Z10’s factory FOX QSE shocks.
Because the Z10 already has electronic compression adjusters, SDi can integrate E-CLIK with the existing shocks rather than requiring owners to purchase a complete replacement shock package. The vehicle-specific installation adds SDi’s controller, sensors, wiring and touchscreen interface.
E-CLIK monitors vehicle movement and automatically adjusts compression damping as driving conditions change. According to SDi, the system analyzes vehicle and sensor data and can send damping commands up to 500 times per second.
Instead of the factory Soft, Medium and Firm choices, E-CLIK provides three terrain-oriented modes:
- Trail: Balanced compliance and chassis control for rocks, ruts, corners and changing low-speed terrain.
- Desert: Increased support for higher speeds, repeated impacts, braking and aggressive cornering.
- Dune: Tuned for sand, bowls, transitions, G-outs, jumps and rapid elevation changes.
Within each mode, E-CLIK can add compression support when the Z10 is braking, accelerating, cornering or encountering a large impact. It can then reduce damping when additional compliance is beneficial.
Factory Controls Become E-CLIK Racer Switches
The factory suspension buttons remain functional after the E-CLIK conversion, but their purpose changes. Instead of selecting another fixed FOX QSE setting, they become E-CLIK Racer Switches.
The driver can use the factory controls to make the suspension 25 percent firmer or 25 percent softer without leaving the selected terrain mode. The semi-active system continues operating, but its response is temporarily biased toward greater support or greater compliance.
This gives the driver an immediate adjustment for a large G-out, rough section or sudden change in terrain without navigating through the touchscreen.
SDi Cab Mounted Touch Screen
E-CLIK PRO Menu Adjustments
The SDi touchscreen provides access to Trail, Desert and Dune modes along with front and rear suspension adjustments, load compensation and the E-CLIK PRO Menu.
The PRO Menu allows the owner to adjust how aggressively the suspension reacts to five types of vehicle movement and driver input:
- Pitch sensitivity
- Roll sensitivity
- Turn sensitivity
- Throttle sensitivity
- Brake sensitivity
These adjustments allow E-CLIK to be tailored to the vehicle, terrain and driver instead of applying the same control strategy to every Z10.
Level 2: Add SDi E-LINK Sway-Bar Links
The second upgrade level adds SDi E-LINK to the E-CLIK system. While E-CLIK controls compression damping inside the shocks, E-LINK controls sway-bar engagement.
A connected sway bar reduces body roll and improves stability during cornering, carving and side-hilling. Disconnecting it allows the left and right suspension to move more independently, increasing articulation and helping the tires remain in contact with uneven terrain.
Traditional sway-bar disconnects force the driver to choose between those two behaviors. SDi’s integrated E-LINK system can automatically lock or unlock the sway bar according to vehicle movement and the selected E-CLIK terrain mode.
SDi E-LINK Sway-Bar Links
The objective is to provide articulation and bump compliance when the terrain demands it, then reconnect the sway bar when the Z10 needs more roll control. The driver can also manually command Lock or Unlock through the E-CLIK touchscreen.
When combined, E-CLIK and E-LINK address two different parts of vehicle control:
- E-CLIK: Continuously adjusts shock compression damping.
- E-LINK: Controls sway-bar engagement to balance articulation and roll stiffness.
SDi also offers manually controlled front and rear E-LINK systems that can operate independently of E-CLIK. The integrated version is required for automatic operation through the Trail, Desert and Dune modes.
For a deeper look at the technology, see our SDi E-LINK dynamic sway-control overview.
Level 3: Add an SDi Spring Kit
The third upgrade level addresses the springs. The ZFORCE Z10 already comes with quality dual-rate Eibach springs, but one spring package cannot be optimized for every combination of driver weight, passengers, accessories, cargo and terrain.
A properly selected SDi spring kit can match the spring rates and crossover setup more closely to how a particular Z10 is equipped and driven.
Potential benefits include:
- Maintaining the intended ride height.
- Reducing excessive sag.
- Compensating for added accessories and cargo.
- Improving front-to-rear suspension balance.
- Providing more support through G-outs and repeated impacts.
- Keeping the shocks in a more effective portion of their available travel.
The springs carry the vehicle’s weight and establish its ride height. E-CLIK can change compression damping, but it cannot correct a spring rate that is poorly matched to the weight or intended use of the vehicle.
This makes the spring package an important mechanical upgrade, particularly for a Z10 carrying a spare tire, storage, tools, aftermarket protection or other accessories.
Level 4: Custom Internal Shock Valving
The fourth level adds custom internal valving to the factory FOX shocks. Valving determines the shock’s underlying damping characteristics and the force it produces at different shaft speeds.
This is different from the electronic compression adjustment controlled by E-CLIK. The internal piston and shim configuration establish the mechanical damping range, while E-CLIK continually adjusts compression within the range available to it.
Custom valving can be used to target specific performance goals, including:
- Greater resistance to bottoming.
- Improved control through whoops and repeated impacts.
- Reduced bucking.
- Better support during braking and acceleration.
- Improved compliance over smaller, sharper bumps.
- A damping curve better matched to trail, dune or desert use.
The goal is not simply to make the suspension firmer. A good valving package should provide the correct damping curve for the vehicle’s weight, spring rates, terrain and driver.
Internal valving becomes the foundation for the complete system. With the springs supporting the vehicle correctly and the shocks mechanically tuned for the application, E-CLIK has a more appropriate damping range to manage electronically.
Four Levels of ZFORCE Z10 Suspension Upgrades
The four levels address different parts of the suspension rather than duplicating one another:
- E-CLIK with factory FOX QSE shocks: Converts the Z10 from three fixed compression settings to semi-active damping control.
- Add E-LINK: Integrates automatic sway-bar engagement for articulation and body-roll control.
- Add an SDi spring kit: Matches ride height, spring rate and load support to the vehicle.
- Add custom internal valving: Optimizes the FOX shocks’ underlying damping characteristics.
Owners do not necessarily need to complete all four levels at once. A mostly stock recreational Z10 may see the greatest initial benefit from E-CLIK. A machine moving between technical trails and faster terrain may benefit from adding E-LINK. Heavily accessorized vehicles may need springs, while drivers seeking the most complete setup can add valving matched to the finished vehicle.
Springs support the vehicle, internal valving establishes the damping curve, E-CLIK continuously adjusts compression damping and E-LINK manages the sway bar.
A Smart Use of the Z10’s Factory Hardware
The most interesting part of SDi’s approach is that it builds on the components CFMOTO and FOX already installed. The Z10 starts with capable 2.5-inch FOX QSE shocks, electronic compression adjusters and Eibach springs. E-CLIK uses that electronic foundation to add semi-active control without requiring four replacement shocks.
E-LINK expands the system beyond the shocks by controlling sway-bar engagement, while the spring and valving options allow the underlying mechanical suspension to be tailored to the owner’s vehicle and intended terrain.
That creates a logical upgrade path for the CFMOTO ZFORCE Z10: begin with electronic control, add dynamic sway-bar management, correct the spring package for the vehicle and finish with custom internal valving.
We plan to follow the development of these Z10 suspension options and will update this article as additional package details and testing information become available.
