Replacement suspension

[donnybach]

I know there’s been a bit about this but not decisive. How has anyone who fitted replacement springs and shocks found them? I can only see progressive springs for the front, yss and wurth. Are they all progressive? The 1vj yss springs don’t seem very stiff, can the 3aj replacements fit? I’m about 85-90kg.
For the rear, I was looking at the yss. 85nm spring seems fair. The linkages are rising rate so I def need a linear spring.
I could also do with lifting the bike a bit. Could drop pegs but might add to the seat. ( kills two birds, higher mileage comfort) any proven experience here?

[scottieh]

I feel like have tried it all. YSS rear, progressive fronts, Hyperpro rear spring, and tried every combination of stock in front or back and an aftermarket piece on the other end.

I found that using a stock front and aftermarket rear raised the rear up too much and made the front dive a lot more. I also found using stiffer progressive fronts and a stock rear undersprung the rear and made the front end wallow about on the road and bounce around too much off road.

Replacing the stock spring with a stiffer spring on a stock shock will cause the shock to fail as the dampening of the stock shock is not strong enough to control the stiff spring rebound. I have broken two shocks this way.

The best combination i have found is new stuff all around. Progressive front springs and a new YSS rear. Wilburs rear is also good. That elevates the bike evenly and supports both ends with similar compression, dampening, and rebound.

One option i have considered is replacing the whole front end with a modern yz250 front but I don’t ride aggressively enough to justify that amount of suspension. I know it’s tunable but as i quickly approach an age that frowns upon high speed (or any speed) crashes, the benefit of a racing suspension is wasted on me.

[donnybach]

Cheers. It was your input previously that stopped me just getting the rear spring. Looks like yss then. Seem fairly priced and brooks suspension is the local(ish) supplier. I think Wilburn would need to be imported.
I might call them and see if I could go for the 3aj springs up front or just keep the weaker 1vj. I need to shed 10kg anyway.
Thanks

[Peen]

I pulled the trigger and bought Wilbers all round for my 3aj a couple of years ago and can highly recommend them.

I cant remember what the spring rates all were, but they are stiffer springs all round, they ask for your weight and riding style and build the shock to suit. Its probably one of the pricier options, cost me about £650 for the rear shock and fork springs and took a couple of weeks to make its way here, but i would consider it well worth it if youre going to use the bike a lot.

The rear shock is taller and the spring stiffer, but also the improvement in damping is what youre paying for, which really improved the ride.
Interestingly, they recommend a 5w fork oil over the standard 10w with the stiffer fork springs, but it works much better.
Overall the bike handles far better on and off road and is noticeably taller.

[donnybach]

That’s just what I’m after. Stop her feeling like an overloaded donkey. Bring her a little closer to the t7. Maybe not quite as tall. Maybe I’ll price em all up to compare.

[donnybach]

Wilbers look great but should be, at that price. Hand made too. . . Maybe after I sell the house.

[cadno]

Just do it Donny
I originally fitted uprated Wilbers fork springs and their cheapest rear shock on my 34L, totally transformed the ride.
The blue 1VJ also has the same set up. That and modern tyres is as good as it gets on our old bikes.

[donnybach]

Thanks guys. Will be rebuilding engine next year so I’ll be going with your advice on suspension at the same time.
Can’t wait.