i set my 010 up for rough whooped out trails and never adjusted it again. if you ride groomed trails i'd say the fox shocks would be ok, but if you hammer down on the rough stuff the WE are mandatory IMO, especially at your weight.

 

I have a Switchback Pro-R with the WE shocks and once I found the sweet spot, I've left them alone. If you are an aggressive trail rider then go with the WE's. At least you can tune them to your liking and be done with it. The Fox shocks would require a revalve if you weren't satisfied with the performance.

 

It depends on the rider and the style of riding, IMO, some guys find where they like them and leave them alone. others will find that sweet spot and then when conditions change they will make them firmer or softer again depending on the trail conditions.

Sat I rode , possibly my last ride of the season, up north , when I unloaded the sled it was cold and the trails where frozen , a little dusting of fresh snow/ice and my front end hooked up great, later mid afternoon as the sun warmed everything out, the trails got a little sloppy , so one click each on the front shocks, firmed them up and all was fine.

Also I was playing around with the stutter bumps, found my rear was a tad bit too soft, adjusted that two clicks firm from the stock setting and enjoyed the ride all the more.

I think once your in the ball park you could get away with just leaving them alone, but why do that when it takes a second to improve your already great ride. So if you have them why not use them. So yes I use them

And for the record, IMO Walker Evens are the best shocks in the industry, bar none.

 

IMO go with the WE if you ever ride aggressive at all. Once everything is loosened up after a couple hundred miles, you get them set where you like it (and they do go quite soft as well!), you can choose to leave it or slight adjustments that are super quick to do if trails change on you. Don't see a down side to the WE clickers to me. Can get a very compliant ride or set it up for aggressive ride.

 

For the first time this weekend mine felt too stiff. I had pretty much left them in the stock location as for every possible environment until today I had loved the feel. Tightened up the sled is extremely maneuverable and soaks up the big moguls and bumps. Went up the Gunflint this weekend though and between it not being groomed, pretty much the only place with snow, and the drag races at Hungry Jack the trails had chatter all over them. Needless to say after 150mi of those bumps I felt like I had curdled my cream and then started to play with the shocks. Of course at that point we found some nicer snow, but I am not sure that in particular in the rear they get soft enough for those conditions. I am 215 without gear so not quite as heavy so you might be fine.

Ran into a couple guys from Polaris who both own Pro Rides but had checked out Adventures for carrying their gear. Both said they preferred the ride of the Fox's as they were definitely more plush. These are 4k mi/yr guys though so comfort might be more key that big bumps.

If we had more snow I'd play with mine some more to determine if I should have the rears revalved a little softer, but think that may be the ticket. Not a huge change, but a little and I think it may be ideal.

That being said, my question would be how many actually run the W/E up near as hard as they get? If the answer is no, then a revalved W/E that is slightly softer I would expect to be the best of both worlds. My guess is only those really were torn between an IQR and the Rush will use them that way and for the rest of us a slightly softer valving could be helpful.

As for the set it and forget it question, I think the beauty of the sled is that it allows you to adapt to the conditions.

Last note, if I revalve I'll leave the fronts alone. I didn't find that I needed softer there.

 

I think you answered your question yourself with your comment of (Ive always had Fox shocks in the past and have been happy with them). I think if you have been happy with the fox shocks in the past you will be happy with the foxes on the 2012 switch. Many on HCS feel the Walkers deliver to rough of a ride. I have pmd a few guys on HCS and talked to a few on the trails who consider themselves to be an aggressive trail rider that say the foxes work just awesome. I am not saying the walkers are not the best shock for you though, I am just giving you some info to help you make your mind up. Good luck with your decision.

 

I have a Switchback Pro R and the lady has a Rush Pro R and I think the W/E's are the way to go. I rode a standard rush during a demo ride and I thought that the front Fox shocks were too stiff. Coming off a non-Pro Ride sled most guys will probably think that the Fox shocks are just fine. Having ridden the Walkers and the Fox back to back, there is no comparison; the Walkers provide a much smoother ride and the adjustability is awesome.

 

I rode a standard rush during a demo ride and I thought that the front Fox shocks were too stiff.

Now you have me wondering as that is the opposite of what I've heard from everyone else who has compared (of which the huge sampling is 3 total people). All say the W/E on as soft as they go are stiffer than the Fox's. Curious if others who have compared can pipe in with their thoughts.

 

My 2 cents!!

I say go with the W/E you will not be sorry, I do not ride as hard as I use to either, Once you have the sled broken as the manual said,then you just fine tune it for your liking, I have over 1300 miles on this 12 S/B and it is awesome, The only time I might
touch my shocks is to give it a click other than that it is add gas a little oil and giver, I had the 2010 and they were too firm, I had the 2011 with fox and it was alot better than the 10, But with out the rear clicker you could not get that as they say the perfect ride or balance, Remember you set your rear spring to get your balance of ride and ski pressure and the you set the clickers to be softer or firmer, If you could you should try one of each, But I say w/e because of the tunability and if need be you can revalve one two or all four shocks if you have to. :c-n:

Anybody that tells you that the w/e`s on full soft are firmer than the fox on the new 12 S/B are full of it.

 

Anybody that tells you that the w/e`s on full soft are firmer than the fox on the new 12 S/B are full of it.

I agree. Rode the Fox and Walker's back-to-back and the Walker's were much softer than the Fox shocks when set to soft. Don't get me wrong, had I not already ridden the Walker setup, I would have "liked" but not "loved" the Fox shocks. For me there is no comparing the two; the Walkers are great on the Pro R. I won't ever go back to the non-adjustable type shock.

 

Here's a simple answer,the word PRO R on the side panel and this goes back to the Pro X days,the shocks on these sleds are simply setup to handle the more agressive rider for that purpose the WE'S are best.

The base Switchback rides the rough sections fine and is very smooth when you need it to be,that can't be said with the WE'S.

It really depends on how you ride,for me i still ride hard,our trails are usually good,the FOX are the way to go.Call it an age thing i'm staying with the FOX ,no hassle super comfy.

Ditch riders,rough trail ,younger riders,jumps the WE'S are the way to go,you can twist that knob all day i seriously doubt you could dial them in like the FOX shocks.
Coming off a 2011 Orange Assault with the WE'S awesome sled!

 

,you can twist that knob all day i seriously doubt you could dial them in like the FOX shocks, well I do know because I have dialed them in and have owned both, Like I said for 2012 the the w/e`s or alot more compliant!
Here's a simple answer,the word PRO R on the side panel and this goes back to the Pro X days,the shocks on these sleds are simply setup to handle the more agressive rider for that purpose the WE'S are best.
Yes this is true for the 2010 and the 2011 Rush, But not the 2012.

 

I went with the standard fox on my new sb. for 2 reasons. First is the price for something that I likely wouldnt use more than a couple times. Second is they are to stiff on the softest setting. Question is way would they not make their high end shocks so they can ajust softer and firmer then the standard ?

 

There have been many post on this topic and alot fell that the Fox shocks are Great you will not be disapointed with them by any means. There is a post from Snowmobile.com regarding this topic.
"While we think that the exclusive to Polaris Walker Evans shock packages give the Rush an incredible degree of ride adjustments, we could easily live with the shock package offered on the base Rush models. We may be very wrong here, but we tend to think that adjustability offered by the Walker Evans made the Polaris engineers a bit uninspired. They could choose a set of parameters that allow the consumer to fine tune the final settings. But, when it comes to the “base” shocks set up for the economy Rush, Polaris engineering worked much harder at getting a setting that gives great all around performance. We’ve noticed right from Year One of the Pro-Ride, that the non-Walker Evans units actually seemed extremely well suited for the average rider, providing supple action from low to moderate speeds and positive action at top end. And, still, the very nature of the Pro-Ride permits suspensions settings to be made on the outside of the skidframe rear suspension big shock. If you want to save some bucks and can admit that you are a serious rider, but not a big whoop banger, opt for the base model. Use the money you save by not getting the Walker Evans package and upgrade to 800 power. "

For what its worth I got the WE becauser I liked them on my 09 D6. If you don't like to mess with things alot get the FOX.

 

Great replies so far!!


Guys with the Fox shocks, do you bottom out at all ever?

 

No you will not bottom out.

 

The biggest thing I do not care about with the walkers on my switch is I can set the rear clicker on zero and it still has a more harsh feeling than I like, and it will bottom out way to easy. I am hopeful that when I upgrade/downgrade lol whatever you want to call it, that the fox can de dialed in for a less ridged feel and still deliver without bottoming out so much. Maybe I am freaking dreaming but this is the way my 136 fusion rear end was dialed in and I loved it. Every sled I have ever been on with the WEs has the same ridged feel. Every sled I have been on with the fox I have been very impressed. Maybe it is the pro ride rear in I do not know. Anyone out there with the fox shocks on there 2012 switchback that wants to trade for my walkers PM me.

 

Could you issue be that the front track shock is to stiff? Or have you adjusted that one soft as well?

 

Well the wife prefers the WE on the back of her Adventure over the Fox of her '11 rush. Yes I know that we are talking the difference between the S/B and a Rush. She says that the S/B is smoother. Of course she only has the WE on the back and fox everywhere else. I have seen her reach back add two clicks when things get a little rough. I will never get her off that S/B. Oh she is 43, rides like a boy and weighs a buck 15. Must be soft enough for her, she said that she has never been bounced off from the seat.

I am usually an adjust it and leave it alone or I will mess it up kinda guy. That is until this year with my S/B Pro R 800. Fox shocks are fine the WE are great.

Oh and how can you not like the color scheme of a Retro 800 Switch Pro R?

 

Well the wife prefers the WE on the back of her Adventure over the Fox of her '11 rush. Yes I know that we are talking the difference between the S/B and a Rush. She says that the S/B is smoother. Of course she only has the WE on the back and fox everywhere else. I have seen her reach back add two clicks when things get a little rough. I will never get her off that S/B. Oh she is 43, rides like a boy and weighs a buck 15. Must be soft enough for her, she said that she has never been bounced off from the seat.

I am usually an adjust it and leave it alone or I will mess it up kinda guy. That is until this year with my S/B Pro R 800. Fox shocks are fine the WE are great.

Oh and how can you not like the color scheme of a Retro 800 Switch Pro R?

Thats actually funny, because thats the scheme I really dislike. LOL IDK, but for whatever reason, the only sled in Poos lineup that I really like is the Black Pro-r LE Rush. The rest do nothing for me.

My question to you is, why would your wife add clicks when the going gets rough? Wouldnt you want to decrease clicks, to soften up the suspension? Or is she bottoming out? Thanks

 

Walker evans all the way.

 

ok, why?

 

fox shocks biggest fan

All I can say is if you have a 2012 S/B Pro-r and you say it rides too ruff, you do not have it set right, I have tried the fox and Pro-r setups and myself I like the way you can fine tune your ride with the w/e `s, The last snowtrax show they demoed the 2012 Pro-r Le and said it was the best sled for overall ride and handling in their fleet this year. (Nuff said)

Take it from me(fox shocks biggest fan)


ointlaugh: Question why on earth would you buy a Pro-r?

 

All I can say is if you have a 2012 S/B Pro-r and you say it rides too ruff, you do not have it set right, I have tried the fox and Pro-r setups and myself I like the way you can fine tune your ride with the w/e `s, The last snowtrax show they demoed the 2012 Pro-r Le and said it was the best sled for overall ride and handling in their fleet this year. (Nuff said)

Take it from me(fox shocks biggest fan)


ointlaugh: Question why on earth would you buy a Pro-r?

I wanted the cobra track and the salesman assured me that the 2012 walkers were valved to achieve any ride I wanted without a problem. I also thought if I did not care for the walkers I would be able to trade them to someone for the fox shocks, but nobody wants my walkers...go figure. Maybe I am comming across like a cry baby, but all I am trying to do is get a more comfy ride out of sled I spent good bucks on. I love everything about the sled except for the way it handles the studder bumps. It just seems like a very ridged feel. I am going to quit posting on this subject, I am sure I sound like a broken record, but I will still be watching.lol

Nice review Tim. Wow over 4000 miles this year, rub it in:bc2:

 

WE's

Just returned from my second saddlebag trip thru Quebec this winter. I now have over 4500 miles on my 2012 Pro R switchie. I've always been a big fan on the WE's, since I had them on my first Dragon.

The debate here seems to center on "can the WE's be set to be softer/more compliant than the Foxs'"? I've found that all 3 of the Rushes I own/owned, a 2010 600, a 2011 800, Pro R, and my 2012 Pro R 800 Switchie were more adjustable for a wider range of conditions and load, than any fox shocks equipped sleds I have owned or ridden. For my variety of riding experiences.
Once spring rate is adjusted properly, your wide range of dampening possibilities with the clickers give you far greater opportunities to dial in the ride to your liking for varrying trail conditions you typically encounter in a normal days ride.

In my case, the 14 day saddleback trip I just returned from found me with over 45lbs of gear between my backpack, the two skins bags on the exchanger, the hard bags (I have "adventurized" my 800 with the entire luggage setup that's on the 600 Adventure), and the bag that fits in the rear rack. I set the suspension adjustments up with the rear spring at just 10 lbs over my weight in my suit and helmet". Then I cranked the clickers to the point that I could ride a typical trail, with luggage, and not bottom out. When we got to our daily destinations and still wanted to ride a little more without the luggage burden, all I had to do was take two or three clicks off the rear shock, and one click off the ski shocks (if anybody tells you that you will be able to adjust the front track shock at -20F after you have ridden 250 miles that day, they are full of shit) and the ride on the unburdened sled was great. That's adjustability. That's versatility.

Just my experiences. AIMHO

 

ppolaris --> Not a crybaby or broken record and your opinions are always welcome here.

Timbo --> Great post!

 

ppolaris
If you are sure you tried everything too get a good ride and can not, I would just get the rear shocks redone, This way you will not lose resale value on the Pro-r.

 

This has crossed my mind, but then I take a chance of me not liking the revalve. Ultimatly what my plan is for now is to keep the walkers and buy 4 new foxes. Try them out and keep the ones I like best on the sled and the other ones for backups. I should be able to give a good comparison write up next year if we get snow. Right now the fox shocks are on back order for a month or two.

 

ppolaris, sounds like you're one of those unlucky bastards that havent seen much snow this year? So, how many miles you got on the sled?



If very few, remember that suspensions often feel stiff at first, then loosen up some. Could be that your WE's just need some more miles...?

 

ppolaris, sounds like you're one of those unlucky bastards that havent seen much snow this year? So, how many miles you got on the sled?



If very few, remember that suspensions often feel stiff at first, then loosen up some. Could be that your WE's just need some more miles...?

I have been able to get close to 800 miles on the sled this year, with the hope of being able to get around 600 more. We are planning one more trip to the UP weather permitting.

 

Is it possible to compare the valving in a Walker Evans to the valving in a Fox? I mean, could one not use similar valve stacks, open the clicker all the way, and expect a similar ride between the two?

 

I have a couple of buddies with fox shocks on their switcher - I'll see if I can sneak a ride on one and get back to you.

 

looking forward to what you think of their switches and what they think of yours. If you get the chance. :snack:

 

My $.02 as follows:

I consider myself an aggressive trail rider. Here in Alaska you'll never find groomed trails. If it's not one to three foot holes in the trail mile after mile, it's rock hard cornices in the open coastal areas of the Western parts of the State.

Needless to say, I love these Walker's.

Several years ago the sport atv industry came out with "high speed AND low speed" compression damping adjustments on the same shock so I learned another facet of shock performance and adjustability.
What I notice about the Walker's is they seem to valved more so on the "high speed" side of things..... Meaning, the more aggressive you ride, the better they work. I believe it's an inertial thing.

Last thought is the Pro-Ride rear end behaves like a swing-arm on a sport quad or dirt bike. That in my opinion makes this rear skid AWESOME! You need to know how to ride it. We go back to early ride reviews some months back and guys who fell in love with this sled said things like, "...it rewards an active rider." EXACTLY.

 

Never got to ride the fox shock Switchback.