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View Full Version : I just installed some YSS Shocks...


brentde3
06-26-2009, 07:42 AM
Hey folks,

I've been in the market for some new shocks since I bought the bike, so I've been reading the various shock threads with interest, and, now that I've taken the plunge, I figured I might add to the mix.

I bought some YSS Bravo shocks for my 76 R90/6 from Klaus at EPM performance. I placed the order on Tuesday and they arrived on Wednesday. Granted, I'm in New York and they're in New Jersey, but I thought the service was absolutely outstanding. When placing the order they asked all the pertinent questions: driver's and passenger's weight, time spent riding two-up, luggage weight, etc. The Bravo shocks aren't exactly the top of the line by any stretch of the imagination. By my reckoning, they're about as close to the original setup that one could get. They are hydraulic with stepped-preload adjustment only. The big benefit over the stockers (besides the fact that they're new) is that the spring rate is chosen based on all those questions above.

Installation was a snap (though, to save some headaches, I took the mufflers off). I went for a thirty mile ride last night after I finished installing them and I was amazed. The old shocks were in such horrible condition that anything would feel better, I think, but these just felt great.

The wife and I are going for some two-up trips over the weekend and into next week, so I'll post more impressions (and pictures) later, but for right now, one of the best $200(!) I've spent on the bike. So, :thumb to Klaus.

I also got some cool stickers to put on the luggage. Can't beat free stickers.

Bill Burke
06-26-2009, 02:14 PM
Thanks for the review. I'd be interested in further observations and in your pictures if you can post some. $200? That's an unusually low price isn't it?


Edit: Actually, I see that Tom Cutter is selling the Bravo's for about that.

http://tinyurl.com/obpy5k

keelerb
06-26-2009, 08:13 PM
$200 is a great price. I think I paid about $350 for a pair of Ikons for my airhead.

brentde3
07-06-2009, 10:51 AM
All right. So the weather has finally cooperated a little bit, and my wife and I took several long rides on the new shocks.

I'm 6'3" and 195lbs, my wife is about 5'7" and 125. With the shocks on the base setting (no preload) the bike felt quite a bit better than with the old shocks. I used that setting on a 150 mile roundtrip to Ithaca. Yesterday we went on a 110 mile roundtrip to Cazenovia, except I dialed in one step of preload (there are 5). All the difference in the world. I went from being a happy camper to being legitimately impressed. At about 60 miles an hour the bike is pulling ~3500 rpm, and (with a smooth road [hard to find in NY]) everything sort of smoothes out and motorcycling nirvana is reached. Of course, I think that every time I get on this bike.

On the rough stuff the bike remains composed, and the twisties no longer inspire mind-numbing fear.

So, yes, at $204 delivered, these are absolutely awesome. Very happy with the investment.

DS74BMW
07-07-2009, 06:29 AM
Did you get the chrome shrouds on them? Waiting for some pics.