Elka Suspension launches the
System 5 and System 3
New generation steering dampers for ATVs
Quebec, Canada (6/12/2006) - A leading
manufacturer of high-performance suspension systems for
racing and recreational motorsport applications, Elka
Suspension offers personalized service, quality products
and fast delivery time.
Elka Suspension is proud to announce the launch of
a new generation line of steering dampers that offers
an unprecedented level of adjustability and performance.
This project, which has been in the works for the last
two years, has finally reached the final stage of development
and testing in real-world racing applications. Production
of the System 5 and System 3 steering dampers has begun
and the first units will be available by August.
 
The System 5 steering damper is second to none in
terms of adjustability, providing five different adjustments:
high-speed damping, low-speed damping, return to center
damping, angle between straight or cornering and cornering
damping level. All these adjustments allow a rider to
fine-tune the steering damper to his riding style, helping
him when needed without requiring unnecessary effort
by removing vibration over choppy terrain, reducing
arm pumping and rider fatigue. It also increases control
over obstacles and helps reduce lap times.
The System 3 steering damper shares the same compact
design and reliability as the System 5. It features
high-speed damping, low-speed damping and return to
center damping adjustments. Both systems come with all
the required mounting hardware specific to each vehicle.
They will be offered as a lower mount rotary damper
for the following ATV models: Honda TRX450R and TRX400EX,
the Yamaha YFZ450, the Suzuki LT-R450 and LTZ400, the
Kawasaki KFX400 and the Arctic Cat DVX400.
These new products have been specifically engineered
to perfectly complement Elka Suspension’s line
of shock absorbers and linkage components to provide
the best complete package for your ATV. After extensive
research and testing, the System 5 steering damper has
already proven itself in one of the most grueling races
in the world: the SCORE/Tecate Baja 500.
Team Temecula Motorsports/Elka/IMS-ROLL/Maxxis/Douglas
Wheel won the race on a Honda TRX450R equipped with
Elka Suspension shocks absorbers, Dual Pro Linkage and
the System 5 steering damper. At 37 years of age, and
with the help of teammates Danny Prather and Levi Marana,
desert racing legend and team rider Mike Cafro became
the winningest ATV racer in the Baja’s history,
establishing a new record with the fourth victory in
his career.
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Elka
System 5 Damper |
Here’s what Cafro had to say about the System
5 steering damper:
“The beginning stages of the Baja 500 race course
were extremely dusty with minimal visibility, so hitting
rocks and tree stumps was inevitable. When a rider is
not prepared to take such an impact, the handlebars
can easily be ripped from his hands. However, with the
System 5 Damper by Elka Suspension, we were able to
adjust the sweep angle and the high-speed damping for
this type of terrain, which was critical to enduring
such impacts.
“When it came to the rocky sections of the course,
such as the Mikes Sky Ranch loop, adjustability of low-speed
damping enabled us to maneuver through the rocks quickly
and efficiently without any additional efforts. When
a rock was clipped, the high-speed damping would kick
in, deadening the impact and thus reducing rider fatigue
in the most demanding of sections.
“During the high-speed sections of the course
along the Pacific Coast, having the low-speed damping
adjustment allowed the quad to track perfectly straight
with minimal effort, keeping us safe in the most critical
areas. Overall, the possibilities of the many adjustments
helped my riders (Danny Prather and Levi Marana) and
me stay fresh for the 420-mile course. Ultimately, our
team Temecula Motorsports/Elka/IMS-ROLL/Maxxis/Douglas
Wheel finished first overall ATV in the 2006 SCORE/Tecate
Baja 500.”
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Elka
System 5 Packaging |
Danny Prather and Mike Cafro [10a] not only won their
class, but they were the first ATV finishers. Only five
motorcycles beat their elapsed time of 10:23:45. They
averaged 40.81 mph, after placing 10th in the Tecate
SCORE San Felipe 250. Cafro was the driver of record
for three previous SCORE Baja 500 races, in 1994, 1995
and 2002. “I am a mess,” observed Prather.
“It was a long day; we have been shifting from
second to first the whole day. We rode our hearts out
– we needed to win and we got it! Wayne Matlock
was an excellent competitor; he is a good friend of
mine. Mike Cafro started and did the first 30 miles.
The course was marked very well. I had a blast in the
trees; they were excellent. What can I say? I had fun.”
It is worth noting that Prather had to finish the race
in fourth and fifth gear, as the third gear on their
Honda broke down. The System 5 steering damper was crucial
because he had to maintain a higher average speed throughout
his sections. The second-place team of Wayne Matlock
and Chad Prull was also sporting an Elka Suspension
steering damper on its race quad.
For more information about Elka Suspension’s
System 5 and System 3 steering dampers, please visit
our recently redesigned Web site at www.elkasuspension.com
or call our sales department at 1 800 557-0552 or (450)
655-4855.
www.elkasuspension.com
1585-M, De Coulomb, Boucherville
(Quebec) Canada, J4B 8J7
(800) 557-0552
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