YSS shock review

TerryS

TerryS

Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
1,273
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Bike
2005 ST1300
My last ST13 had a nifty Nitron shock with remote preload, and was a proper weapon in the twisties. My newer but older (2004, 125000km) ST13 was bouncing around on the stock shock. I had topped off the preload fluid and had nearly maxed out the rebound adjuster, but it was starting to feel pretty loose in the back so it seemed like a good time for a new shock. The bike was an inexpensive purchase (around USD3k) so I did not want to put a high end shock on. Some mates on other forums have sung the praises of the YSS shock so I decided to give it a go. This cost me just over USD400 landed (from Firefox Racing in the UK). Installation was easy enough once I had the stock shock out; the remote adjuster hose routing was painful to extract, but the new shock (which has no adjuster) was easy to install once I figured out the upper mount orientation. There's a notch in the upper mount which must be aimed down to clear a frame part. I did have to remove the battery box, seat adjuster, right footpeg mount and one rear subframe bolt to get to the old shock out. And the rear wheel for good measure. What fun.

Access to the preload collar is great with the sidecover removed, YSS supply a metal bar to turn the collar which also has a small grub screw to secure it. The rebound adjuster can be reached at the shockbase by hand from the rear of the bike. I wound in some preload to get around 40mm sag, set the rebound in the middle of the range (24 clocks I think) and took a decently hard ride today. I am really happy so far; if you've ever used an Ohlins shock they feel plush and controlled at the same time and the YSS is very similar. The YSS also has length adjustment if I feel the need to change the geometry further, but I left that at the OEM length for now. The ST is now handling in a very sure-footed manner and on all manner of bumpy and twisty roads, gave nothing but confidenceIMG_4639.JPGIMG_4753.JPG.

For now, I can endorse the YSS shock 100%.
 
Looks like access to the rear wheel spindle is improved too - might not need to remove the right muffler to get the spindle out?
 
Any idea what the spring rate is on the new shock ?? I recently did a 21.4kg Race Tek spring, onto my oem shock,,, and it is working well. I used to have the preloader fully on all the time. Now I have it fully off all the time. It will be interesting to see if the preloader still gives up it's fluid over time. I have not run the bike loaded yet. But the empty results are encouraging. My costs are about $280.us so far. Install was okay,,, with loosening the side step,, and the battery box. Nice job,,,, CAt'
 
I’m with you endorsing YSS suspension. I ordered a set of YSS shocks for my RT about 25,000 miles ago. The front suspension uses a shock similar to the rear shock familiar to the ST. I ordered them through Ted Porter’s Beemer Shop with springs spec’d to my weight. The cost was about 60% of custom Ohlins or Wilburs which I wanted but couldn’t justify after a couple of discussions with Frank and Ted at that shop. YSS doesn’t offer the extensive rider weight range of springs that O/W offers but my weight fit inside what is supplied on the front shock which helped on cost. Rear needed a lighter spring for me. I’ve been very impressed with them.
 
dduelin said:
The cost was about 60% of custom Ohlins or Wilburs which I wanted but couldn’t justify
Click to expand...
Agreed,,, Wilburs looked fascinating,, but at that cost,,, sheesh,,, the oem rear shock doesn't work so bad,,, given a little help. The YSS seems like the next best step up, if needed,,, cheers,, CAt'
 
I like the Hagon shock/spring set that I put on my '96 CB750ST. They were selected by Dave Quinn (now retired) based on the bike's luggage setup, my weight, and an occasional passenger.
 
Larry Fine said:
I like the Hagon shock/spring set that I put on my '96 CB750ST. They were selected by Dave Quinn (now retired) based on the bike's luggage setup, my weight, and an occasional passenger.
Click to expand...
Before I sent an OEM ST1300 shock to Racetech for rebuilding and revalving Dave Quinn recommended a shock for the ST1300 but unfortunately it leaked it's oil in less than 500 miles. He readily replaced it when I notified him but that the replacement leaked straight away. I'm sure Hagon makes shocks that don't leak but I'll not try again.
 
Catmandu2 said:
Any idea what the spring rate is on the new shock ?? I recently did a 21.4kg Race Tek spring, onto my oem shock,,, and it is working well. I used to have the preloader fully on all the time. Now I have it fully off all the time. It will be interesting to see if the preloader still gives up it's fluid over time. I have not run the bike loaded yet. But the empty results are encouraging. My costs are about $280.us so far. Install was okay,,, with loosening the side step,, and the battery box. Nice job,,,, CAt'
Click to expand...
The spring rate is 180 kg/mm. Feels about right for solo riding and I have had no bottoming out so far.
 
Mr.E said:
Looks like access to the rear wheel spindle is improved too - might not need to remove the right muffler to get the spindle out?
Click to expand...
Feels a tiny bit higher to sit on even though the shock length was exactly the same as stock. Presumably a result of a higher spring rate. I doubt the access to the axle will have changed but I can change that with an increase to the shock overall length. My legs are not very long so I'm not inclined to do that.
 
Hello TerryS how goes it with YSS shock now? What your opinion on lacking of remote preload operation?
I'm considering to replace my stock suspension. This YSS option looks most appropriate for me.
Cheers!
 
Paladin33rus said:
Hello TerryS how goes it with YSS shock now? What your opinion on lacking of remote preload operation?
I'm considering to replace my stock suspension. This YSS option looks most appropriate for me.
Cheers!
Click to expand...

@TerryS should ping him.

Note that he wrote

TerryS said:
The spring rate is 180 kg/mm. Feels about right for solo riding and I have had no bottoming out so far.
Click to expand...

which should read 180 N/mm which is a 1000 lb/in spring compared to 900 OEM. As he said, OK for solo riding but probably still not quite enough for travel load or/and pillion.

By comparison....

Catmandu2 said:
........ I recently did a 21.4kg Race Tek spring, onto my oem shock,,, and it is working well. , CAt'
Click to expand...

Which is a 1200 lb/in spring. Probably better for full load traveling.

If I recall, Dave, @dduelin , was running a 1300 lb spring on his 1300. Which is really what is required to maintain solo sag at full load. (But would require revalving of the OEM shock if sticking with it).
 
Paladin33rus said:
Hello TerryS how goes it with YSS shock now? What your opinion on lacking of remote preload operation?
I'm considering to replace my stock suspension. This YSS option looks most appropriate for me.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
No change to my opinion. It is working very well (after around 5000km), the bike is handling nicely and the ride is comfortable. I set the preload when I installed the shock and have not touched it since, although I have experimented with varying the damping adjuster. The preload adjuster ring is pretty easy to access on the ST (just remove the side cover and it is right there). I have also recently replaced the fork springs (with 1.0 kg/mm) and that has also been a good change.
 
While on my R1200RT and not on an ST I am very happy with the YSS shocks I purchased about 48,000 miles ago. I spent some time fiddling with the rebound damping settings after setting sag and haven't changed them. The rear shock uses a Showa preloader like the ST1300's preloader.
 
MidLife said:
@TerryS should ping him.

Note that he wrote



which should read 180 N/mm which is a 1000 lb/in spring compared to 900 OEM. As he said, OK for solo riding but probably still not quite enough for travel load or/and pillion.

By comparison....



Which is a 1200 lb/in spring. Probably better for full load traveling.

If I recall, Dave, @dduelin , was running a 1300 lb spring on his 1300. Which is really what is required to maintain solo sag at full load. (But would require revalving of the OEM shock if sticking with it).
Click to expand...
No, my shock was revalved by RaceTech but retained the original spring. At my riding weight of <165 lbs I had 5-10 mm of free sag after setting rider sag with preload to my preference of 30% of travel indicating the stock spring was acceptable for my weight. I rode with <60 lbs of cargo and had enough preload to account for that. It was a long time ago and I don't precisely remember what that rear rider sag was - probably 36 to 40 mm.
 
MidLife said:
[...]

Note that he wrote



which should read 180 N/mm which is a 1000 lb/in spring compared to 900 OEM. As he said, OK for solo riding but probably still not quite enough for travel load or/and pillion.

By comparison....



Which is a 1200 lb/in spring. Probably better for full load traveling.

[...]
Click to expand...

Thanks for highlighting spring rate parameter @MidLife - somehow I've missed this crucial detail..

Why do you think
YSS 1000 lb/in
vs.
OEM 900 lb/in

Is need to be even more?

---

My personal experience (with stock shock):
  • Pilot 80 kg + equip
  • Passenger 65 kg + equip
  • Cargo in 3 coffers around 30 kg (surely not less)
Which in sum 175 kg, which roughly 386 lbs

I did on this ST1300 31k miles and never utilized full preload (preload system is filled well), most of the time it is 3/4 of preloading capacity.

I do know what sag is, however I'm not performed this measurements on ST1300 (maybe it is worth to :)), so I can't precisely specify it is 30% or not.
As an outcome, I think this YSS item will cover my demands.
 
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@Paladin33rus please note that it is the relationship of rider sag to free sag that indicates if the spring rate is adequate for loaded configuration. Even with a spring that is too soft it is possible to set acceptable rider sag if there is enough preload travel but when the weight of rider(s) and cargo is removed the shock tops out.
 
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Paladin33rus said:
Thanks for highlighting spring rate parameter @MidLife - somehow I've missed this crucial detail..

Why do you think
YSS 1000 lb/in
vs.
OEM 900 lb/in

Is need to be even more?

---

My personal experience (with stock shock):
  • Pilot 80 kg + equip
  • Passenger 65 kg + equip
  • Cargo in 3 coffers around 30 kg (surely not less)
Which in sum 175 kg, which roughly 386 lbs

I did on this ST1300 31k miles and never utilized full preload (preload system is filled well), most of the time it is 3/4 of preloading capacity.

I do know what sag is, however I'm not performed this measurements on ST1300 (maybe it is worth to :)), so I can't precisely specify it is 30% or not.
As an outcome, I think this YSS item will cover my demands.
Click to expand...


It doesn't NEED to be a stronger spring. The best shock set up is the one you are happy with and keeps your wheels firmly planted on whatever roads you are riding on.

There are plenty of ST Riders who tour around on the OEM shock with overloaded bikes and half empty preloaders and have no complaints and couldn't care less about sag.

The shock with the 1200 # spring that works well for @Catmandu2 riding style and conditions may not be right for you. There is no "one size fits all" for suspension. Suspension specialists will spend time understanding your particular style, load and conditions before they recommend and customize a shock for you.

If you were happy with the OEM shock, chances are another OEM might still work for you.

Most who switch to YSS consider it an upgrade. The Beemer Shop wouldn't sell them if customers were complaining!

Given that you don't seem to be the type to play much with suspension adjustments, it may be better not to go with anything stronger than the 1000 # spring offered with the YSS. You can get a stronger spring to feel like you are on a flying carpet, but precise adjustments become more critical (hence also better to have remote preload for them).

What is wrong with your current shock that has only 31K on it? Leaking? What improvements are you hoping for?





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