So I'm nearly at the point of pulling the trigger on a rear shock for the XTR

I'm now torn between the YSS and the Hyperpro.

now I know the YSS is a bit of a unknown, but everything that I can find about them is from guys doing RTW journeys with no complaint at all about the handling both on and off road. to match the rear I was thinking of either getting some spacers made for the forks going for 20mm instead of the normal 30mm. But I've heard nothing yet on it being a rebuildable unit although I suspect it will be.

Now the Hyperpro is accepted as the standard cheaper replacement for our bikes but are they rebuildable and can they survive off road use? Does anyone have experience with their progressive springs in a XTR and in the dirt?

The other factor is cost, the YSS combo will come in around around �150 cheaper for me as I've a machinist who owes me a favor or 6.

So how do spacing the standard springs work in off road applications?

I don't like them. Too harsh and just some wrong feeling. I have used only 10 mm spacers with factory spec for air gap and oil. Maybe I had to try lower oil level to compensate for volume of the spacers. My 2007 XTR came with progressive springs from the factory.
For good and smooth asphalt they are OK. I am only 60-65 kg., maybe 70 with the gear. For heavier riders... I don't know.

The Hyperpro is fully rebuildable. I have the Yacugar branded version of the same shock on my Z and it has been faultless for the last five years on and off-road. I know nothing first hand of YSS shocks other than from the same sources you have already read.

At the end of the day, I think you'll have to bite the bullet and make a decision yourself.

I'd be wary about using spacers to simply raise the front. Yes they will raise it but at the detriment of flexibility and ride comfort/control as you are just introducing more preload. You may find also that the fork sag is hard to set afterwards as well. Spacers are fine if your objective is to increase preload and reduce static or dynamic sag, but they are a bit of a Heath-Robinson way of gaining height and will compromise the forks ability to follow uneven surfaces compliantly when off-road.

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I just stick with Ohlins..
not cheap but they work...




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Harley Davidson..
The easyest way to turn gasoline into noise with out the side efect of horse power...

Well today I emailed the seller who is a YSS agent. They've confirmed that the YSS unit is fully rebuildable. it comes with a C spanner and the adjuster ring is secured with a grub screw.

I did ask them about off road use and they confirmed it's suitable for green laning, but I think with all the RTW riders using it that's testament it self.

I think for the price and it having better feedback than hagon i'll give it a go. I'll just need to leave it a few weeks as family life is to busy to sit around waiting for farkles in the post haha.

I think for now the front can stay stock and just see how the bike responds to the new shock. I had a look when I replaced the oil earlier in the year and my bike is running linear springs and they were well with specs.

Can you post the price of YSS, please?

Here's a link to the company I've been speaking to http://www.brooksuspension.co.uk/yam...sorber-04.html

Will this shock fit the Tenere or is the shock different between the R and the Tenere?

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2010 XT660Z Blue, Exan can, UFO high front fender, SW Motech baseplate, heated grips, 12v point, Kevs Fuel & O2 mod, DNA Stage 2 Filter and cover, Givi tall screen, Mefo mfe 99s, Kevs throttle mod, TT high seat and 'compass'

YSS don't do a shock for the Z. The R/X shock is different and will not fit.

The only 'budget' option for the Z is a Hagon, but I know a couple of people who have tried them and been disappointed and upgraded to something more plush. Hyperpro/Yacugar, Nitron, Wilbers or Ohlins are your options and all four do a different shocks to suit various needs and wallet thicknesses.

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Thanks for that Pete. I've only done 15000 miles on mine and with mostly road use, I'm still happy with my stock suspension (sofar). Even when loaded its pretty ok. But then if I was to head off-road, then I'd definitely change both front and rear.

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2010 XT660Z Blue, Exan can, UFO high front fender, SW Motech baseplate, heated grips, 12v point, Kevs Fuel & O2 mod, DNA Stage 2 Filter and cover, Givi tall screen, Mefo mfe 99s, Kevs throttle mod, TT high seat and 'compass'