YSS Shocks
 

Any one used YSS suspension on anything? I know they've been round a while and apparently an Ex-Wilbers guy now head them up, some mixed reviews on durability but bad seemingly not outweighing the good too much but I'm wondering how they actually perform?

I've got a twin shock bike so Ohlins are £1000-£1500, Nitron £1400 - Yss £550.
I know Ohlins have that gold-plate repuation but something close-ish for a third of the money would suit me, it's not really a knee down bike. At the moment the rear rebound is shot and it's still pacing fairly well...if a little dangerous.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I don't know what bike you've got but here might be worth a look too. UK company but based in France, run by an ex-racer. Shocks have a 2yr guarantee and are fully serviceable.
https://shock-factory.co.uk/content/...hock-absorbers

I was looking at a YSS rear (among others) for my SV but eventually went for a monoshock from this company and was very happy with price, build quality and performance.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

twin shocks are 1-1 so work harder this is why if you are going to replace them then get ones that can be readily serviced. cheep shocks sound like a good bargain but when it comes down to service time who is able to service them.


the above depends on if your keeping the bike for a long time and if not then just get the cheapest shizz you can.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I've been running a YSS on my '07 SV650s this season. It's been fine and I pretty much haven't messed with it since my suspension guy got it dialed in for me. It certainly doesn't have the adjustability of the Ohlins but a $450 shock on a $3000 bike w/ 40k miles sounded about right to me. If I want higher end suspension I think I'll buy a gsxr.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

These YSS are fully serviceable and fully adjustable. They're popular on Bonneville's and I know a few people who have done many miles on them...however it says nothing about if they go round corners :razz:

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Thanks for that, they actually do a set with internal reservoir £400 . Not sure how I feel about combined compression & rebound adjustment though. Do you know if they are serviceable? Approx how many miles have you done?

Thanks, gives me a bit of confidence. Just got to make the decision now, the other plus side of Ohlins is the depreciation. I'd probably be able to sell them for a few hundred when I'm done with the bike. hmmm

Re: YSS Shocks
 

combined rebound/comp is not as bad as you might think as its only the slow side that it affects. yes its best to have both separate but problem is most folk dont know how to adjust them properly so end up winding the rebound up too high (slow) to compensate what is a compression problem. having both on same valve takes the guesswork out and lets face it if your muscling a bonny up back lanes or twisty roads too quick your asking for trouble.. lol


in case you dont know the 'slow side' is for braking/accelerating/cornering and not pot hole/bump, thats the job of the internal valving.


but you already know all of this so i'll shut up :-)

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Have you looked at Hagon? Some of their shocks are good value.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

^^ what Biblio said is so true. This is also why I ride an sv650 and I'm still a lesser rider than my bike.

I would also say that an average rider is asking for trouble running a Bonneville fast through the twisties. That being said whenever I follow a buddy of mine who has a bit of a racing resume on his old Bonnevilles (stock suspension at that) I can't keep up. It all comes down to the rider.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Cheers Bibio, I know the latter but not much about single adjustment - I've always had full adjustment on my bikes. I knew it maintained an 'acceptable ratio' between reb and comp which certainly sounds safer.

Don't worry it's not a bonne :smt081 You're probably right about the asking for trouble thing though.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I have, they don't do them.:smt072

I get what you're saying, it's a bit unpredictable at the minute, but proper suspension will only make it safer. It might go on the track but only for a laugh really hence my concern about performance of the hardware as well as durability.

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Quite a few people on the NC forum have fitted YSS shocks to replace the woeful std item. They all seem to be happy, no reports of bad quality or unreliability.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Did you go for the YSS? I've now got a Bonneville andwent for the Bitubo shock which I really rate. I did use YSS PD emulators in the front forks and they are good quality and work well. Not as flashy as Racetech golds although I did use racetech springs and brake fluid. Most important is make sure the put the correct spring rate on your shocks when ordering ;)

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Thanks for that.

Not yet...but funnily enough partially because I relaised their springs are progressive and they don't disclose the one size fits all rate.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I have tried 2 different brands of cheaper end of the range shocks on twin shock bikes like Triumph Bonneville and Moto Guzzi v7.2 without success. Hagon are very good at providing different spring strengths to suit your weight but I ended up going to a local suspension specialist for advice who diagnosed the problem as rebound damping I think it was ,but this adjustment wasn't possible as part of the service on the type of shocks I bought. I would point out that Hagon gave me a full refund and no doubt they can provide whatever you want depending on the service you are paying for.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Dave, if the spring rate is wrong it's a bad base for the rest of the settings. The emulators I got were £80, compared to the cartride kits around for £600. The emulators are adjustable (just a pain to get out each time) and are nowhere near as good at cartridge in terms of adjustment, but still miles better than stock. I thought at that price it is not a big gamble to try them and they work for me.

As svenrico says, get servicable shocks. I rate my Bitubo and mid range were £380. The rebound and compression are adjusted together with a slider from 1 - 5. It's enough to get a decent set up unless you are going to the track. I spoke with MCT Suspension and Steve Jordan's who both suggested Nitrons over Hagon, or the KTECH Razor. But they were another 2 or 3 hundred more than the Bitubo and they are going on a Bonneville after all ;)

I found Bike Revival had a lot of options and good to talk to about options you might not have considered http://www.bikerevival.com/page1.html

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Yeah the YSS are fully serviceable but I need to do a calculation on the spring rate. I'd generally prefer to get a custom spring rate to my weight over a onesize fits all progressive one - but maybe I'll be in luck and it works out the right rate for me. Unfortunately Hagon,bitubo, ktech, racetech, legend etc. do not make shocks for my bike. My options are Ohlins, nitron (same cost as ohlins) or possibly shock factory as above and YSS for less than half the price. I might save up for the ohlins and do it in the new year.
Unless I can get custom springs for the YSS, but not sure how I guarantee it's suitable for the valving?

Cheers for the link to bike revival, I'll give them a go for some options

Re: YSS Shocks
 

ah, that's a bugger on the shock options. If you speak to bike revival, they will contact whoever you want to use and will ask for a suitable spring for your weight. Mine was 88.5KG. Front springs I got linear Racetech at the same spring rate. Good question someone raised on another forum, when setting rebound and compression for a progressive spring, where do you set it, near the top or as is compresses as the rate differs. Seemed most people use linear when they can adjust the ride heigh/compr/rebnd.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Just a comment but I have generally been ok with rear monoshock bikes as supplied by the maufacturer. I am
sure they can all be improved if you want to pay for upgrading the suspension, but the trouble i have had was with bikes with twin rear shocks which were just unacceptable as original equipment. The moto guzzi v7.2 was particularly bad. I met other riders who had upgraded front and rear suspension and one was pleased with the result but it had cost him about £1,000. The local suspension specialist I saw quoted £700 but I think that was just for the rear suspension.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Yep, this is Twinshock so that figures

re. monoshock think you have more margin for error as bibio said due to the way they work. I wasn't happy with the standard sv but have had no issue with a well serviced Showa.

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Just one thought, why not give MCT Suspension a call. Darren reckoned we could get a good setup on the Bonnie's front with a change of oil and air gap. If you get the shocks through him, you might get a good discount on set up (even if you don't still worth paying). I'd have done this but I wanted the job done in Sept and his first ride in was mid November but he does mail order to post your forks and turnaround is much quicker. He'll suggest spring rate and rear shock settings too. I've used him since 2003 (Ohlins' all round on the SV!) and would recommend him.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Cheers Balky, very far from me so it would be supply only but well worth ago. Also got your other recommendation looking into something.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

:thumbsup:

Re: YSS Shocks
 

nice link cheers. Be looking for a new set of shocks for the Speed Twin for next year. Had forgot about Bitubo. To the top of the list!

Still deciding about sorting the front out. Got demon brakes that I can't use!

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I only knew Bitubo from the forks they did for the S1000RR when they first came out at around £6k :confused: so I was surprised what good value the twin shocks are. I really didn't want to spend loads on a 55hp 215KG (dry) bike :smt082

I've had bikes when I've just done the rear and for me it's a waste, the front pogoing or shuddering over bumps still upsets the bike. For £100 on decent springs and oil set up for your weight/riding, it adds the finishing touch to the suspension. But the Speed Twin has a cartidge setup already hasn't it? Is it the same as the T120, only one fork has the cartridge in?? Seems a weird old set up.

I've just bought a 3 pot caliper to replace the 2 pot. Can't say it's going to be demon :smt082 but better I hope. Went to look at changing the brake lines, you have to remove the swingarm and air box to get to the ABS system. :smt103 think I'll stick with the Triumph ones for now

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Bitubo, been going for years. Popular on TL1000s' etc. back then. Quality. Not sure if you get to decide on spring like Maxton/Nitron/K-tech etc. But I ain't gone completely Chubby Checker yet so not too bothered. :)

Yeah agree sorting one end can increase problems at the other. With this bike it will be a razor with decent suspension. Already feels racy.

Front is way too soft for my 100kg. Only good thing is, the bike has great engine braking so brakes only need tickling 90% of the time. I can live with that the now.

Bit of a dream bike for me so dont mind flinging some sheckles at it. (Always wanted a Bonnie and Triumph finally built the exact one I dreamt of = HP, torque, wheels and chassis and NOT SHINEY:) )

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I've just googled the Speed twin...it cannot be right?!


Triumph Speed Twin
The Speed Twin 5T is a motorcycle that was made by Triumph at their Coventry, and later Meriden factories.
Power: 27 bhp @ 6,300 rp

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Haha! The original Speed Twin. Many folks would say that the original 500 twins, in particular the unit construction T100, were the best of all the Triumph twins produced by the old incarnation of Triumph.

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Thought it might have been. Just seen the new one is a 1200cc. 27hp from that volume would have been a feat

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Yes, you can state the spring rate, it will be across a range so mine was 88.5KG, standard was 80KG so believe they'll set it up for you.not sure what the next stiffness was but Bike revival will confirm as they order it straight from the factory.

When I was buying the Bonnie, a chap was just picking up his brand new Race Twin. I so wanted one but there were a number of reasons why the 900 Bonnie made better sense for me, but that doesn't stop you wanting it! :)

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Lol. Yeah mines a Thai-rumph!

Re: YSS Shocks
 

haha

I'm now trying to decide between shockfactory non-piggy back and YSS piggy back for progressive spring. I reckon the former's going to win. Everything I've read says you only really need piggyback if you're a fat muncher. I'm 90kg but the bike's about 250kg

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I thought piggy backs were overkill for me. I was tempted by the model up from mine as they had hydraulic preload adjustment but it doubled the price as the whole shock was an upgrade. TEC do piggy back shocks for £159. There has been many that have collapsed. I'd rather spend on quality component than additional extras. I think either shock you're looking at will be a massive improvement. :)

Re: YSS Shocks
 

If you've any queries, it's worth giving the guy at shock factory a phone. He was really helpful when I spoke to him about an SV shock. He took my details, I ordered over the phone and the shock came already set up with the preload and damping for my weight.

https://al6oxg.db.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

Re: YSS Shocks
 

'TEC do piggy back shocks for £159. There has been many that have collapsed.' A wonder they still supply them in that case. I got some for a Triumph T100 but sent them back. They did give a full refund.

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TEC do some good bits for the T100. I got their cam (improved the bike no end), fuel booster and preload adjusters. Their fork springs and emulator are ok, but their shocks a very low quality. People have also found the piggy backs had no gas pressure. Quality control seems to have been the issue. Glad you got your money back, they seem a decent company. My point was that piggy backs still need to have a good shock attached to them :)

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I had no problem with the company, they were good to deal with. I gave up with the T100 (old carb model) and got a moto guzzi v7.2 which was even worse suspension, absolutely terrible, got rid of that as soon as I could after more failed attempts at replacing rear shocks myself. Subsequently had Honda cbf1000fa,honda cb650f and suzuki sv650a all ridden with original monoshock rear suspension without any problem.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Has anyone ordered from Shock Factory since Jan 2021? The headline price on their site are without VAT and I'm assuming we also get hit with import duty now so wondering what else needs adding on top of the 20% VAT ?

Re: YSS Shocks
 

I'd buy from a UK reseller. At least then you know what you're in for.

Re: YSS Shocks
 

Is there a list of them anywhere? Nothing showing on their main site and Google gives only 2 that I can find, on doesn't list Suzuki shocks and the other shows they are shipping from France still and not collecting VAT at point of sale in the Uk...