While doing maintenance on my R1100GS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I saw nice series of shocks on the shop's shelf and one of them looked exactly like my rear. Asked about it and it was for my bike - so far I know only very few companies make rear shocks for my bike so this company must have a huge selection of shocks and it turned out they do! The visual building quality of their different shocks was very good, I say on par with famous expensive European makes like WP and Öhlins.

The company was YSS. They are made in Thailand.

Y.S.S. :: World Class Suspension ::

I asked for the price and was amazed. It was less than half of price of the similar Öhlins shock for my bike! Half less than OEM Showa shock as well, while they're completely rebuildable and looking at the price, I reckon their spare/service parts are cheap as chips too - so you can carry the overhaul set (seals) with you.

Although they are capable of building wannabe racing shocks with remote reservoirs, piggybacks and all other fancy gizmos that I saw there on different road racing bikes, the BM selction seems to be very simple line - which, maybe for travellers, is a good cheap option?

I'm usually not very trusty of some cheap Asian products, but that said I've been VERY dissapointed with various world famous expensive shock makers that have blown up way too easily when going gets really tough, even when they're correctly set up for doing it - I thought they were designed to take punishment, but they just aren't and I've spend silly amounts of money on repairs. I don't need Dakar solo racer's type of dampening and traction, piggybacks, and zillion different (including angle-) dampening adjustment screws etc, I just need average dampening shock that is capable of taking punishment on a fully loaded bike and most of all - that it lasts - because I can not repair a blown high pressure emulsion shock in the bush myself. Even my stock simple non-rebuildable shock lasted longer than supposed-to-be high quality rebuildable aftermarket shock. So maybe it's time to try something cheap now and who knows, maybe due to their simplicity, even works longer than "penis-enlargment" fancy coloured shocks from the famous western manufacturers?

Anyways, actually I have absolutely no idea how long lasting they are in real life. But their price tag really stunned me as a rebuildable shock. IF it lasts as long as WP/Öhlins/Wilbers/Technoflex/Hyperpro etc while costs half the price, looks like a good alternative to expensive shocks, especially that we currently have no other cheap alternative in Europe for them.

So the big question mark - does anybody have experience with YSS shocks in hard offroad conditions with a loaded bike?

Anyways, I'm a bit tempted with some big question marks and I'm on the way to Thailand now. Maybe visit their factory and see if the prices there are even lower.

Thanks Margus for that info - Ive long thought that we are being ripped off badly in Europe/N.America for shocks and there should be an easily rebuilt shock available. Ive seen the trouble you had.

Everyone should look at your blog and ride reports - they wont have seen anything like your 'state of the art' stuff anywhere else. The best online.

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Les cigarettes tue, mais la pipe detend.

++++ for the info , its about time to bring some competition to the suspension business, I can't beleive we can have that many problem with schock when in the car business they work way less and are better quality than the one for bike.
Waiting to here your impression Margus after few 1000 miles

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Hendi Kaf



Where is Hendi http://share.findmespot.com/shared/f...t1UYxvNTZIaiKZ

If you like pictures here they are
http://hendikaf.smugmug.com/

Well what we need is some feedback, has anyone else any experiance
of these YSS shocks on a GS ?
I wish to replace both front & rear on my 1100GS




Mr Puffin
XT500 Thumpers Forum UK - Index

Margus did you have any luck with a YSS shock, and if so how would you rate them as regards reliability, handling, quality etc,
regards Mike T.

Hi there

while travelling trough South East Asia in 2008, my travelmate needed an new shock for her Transalp. We bought an YSS in Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately it was not the right model but we only found out while on route to the North of Thailand. The shock blew the seal and lost all the oil. I did 2 phone calls to the company in Bangkok and had a chat with the boss himself. They were very helpful and after sending the shock by mail from Chiang Mai to Bangkok they called me back and explained that it was the wrong shock for the Transalp. So they asked how much weight we carry on the bike and how heavy the driver is. The built a complete new shock and fitted the proper spring and all for free!! Was sent to us within a few days and off we were. We have ridden some tough roads since then including southern part of Africa.
The shock hasn't showed any weakness and my mate is happy with it.

While near Bangkok we met another traveller on a Triumph and his rear shocks had also died. I gave him the contact of YSS, he called them and made an appointment. Next day he drove to the factory and the made two brandnew shocks from scratch. The price was ok and they were adjustable.

As far as I was informed, YSS had some kind of cooperation with White Power and one of their Engineers was over in Thailand to tell them how things work and how to build them.

I would go for it. They have retailers all over the world. Just check their website. All the bikers up in Chiang Mai drive those YSS and are happy with them. Motorcycle Touring & Maps: Thailand : Laos : Golden Triangle

Greets

Claudio

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I traveled half my trip with a YSS...unbelievably nice shock compared to my stock. The only problem I had was when I initially recieved it.

Considering I had been traveling through parts of the world that was quoting weights in kgs, I accidentally told the YSS dealer(in America) my traveling weight in kgs...and he presumed it was pounds. So I blew out my shock in the first week. The dealer had a replacement unit sent DHL waiting for me in the next big city I was passing through...Ulaan Batur. 50k miles on the second shock and no issues.

Quite a nice unit....that took quite a beating!

Putting on the new shock...

Busted shock...

Replacement shock arrives

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edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com

Likewise when touring SE Asia on my VFR750 I blew my shock and got a YSS replacement via Sunny Cycles in KL.

It did the job but now back home in the UK (after flying the bike back - is that bad for shocks?) mine has failed. Probably overloaded it with girlfirend and our camping kit on our way the UK HUBB.

So does anyone recommend a good suspension guy who could service/rebuild my YSS shock here in the UK?

Paul

Paul Read - View from the saddle

Just found the answer: Kamar Motorsport

Check the YSS Website:

Y.S.S. :: World Class Suspension ::

Claudio

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