I've just got back to work in the USA and am researching suspension options for my Thruxton. The standard set up is basically scarily woeful. So taking advantage of the better deals here in the US I will carry something back but what exactly to get?
Having already researched this and with a budget of $1000 and wanting non piggy back rear shocks (purely for asthetics) I had settled on a set up from Italian company Bitubo. They made a very nice looking shock and fork cartridge set at my budget but looking for dealers here it seems they are not so popular.
So I spent last night going over the options again and had another hard look at YSS. I have to say it took a bit to get past the made in Thailand scooter shock prejudice and after looking hard at them they actually come up as a very good shock. They have a very good and pro active network here in the USA, Have some very good technicians behind the development and of course they are made and sold in Thailand so I should have no trouble getting service back there. Their Z range is where I am at and am torn between the Z 362 and Z 366 models.They appear the same except the 366 has a 16mm shaft over the 362's 12mm. Both have 36mm pistons. There is a z 302 with a 30mm piston and 12mm shaft but @ $460 I can go a little better given my budget.
So it seems the z 362 falls between the 302 and 366 and @ $500 is good value seeing the 366 is $660. The z366 carries some more higher quality parts notably a better "bearing" mounting arrangement over the standard bushings. But at $660 it is really geting up there for a shock. I can get an Ohlins 36E for $550 but it has no rebound adjustment, only compression and I think is overpriced given what the YSS offers - 60 click rebound, +10mm height adjustment, quality mounting arrangement and a bladder seperating the oil and gas inside the piston (the ohlins has non and is an "emulsion" shock, very low end)
I did have a brief look at prices in Thailand and saw a set for +20k baht but if anyone can show me a price list in Thailand I would love to see it as it may save me carrying some in (more room and weight for other stuff!) I am assuming it is cheaper here and at around 20k for these z 366's I think is ok value compared to in country.
I am still deciding if the beefier 366's are neccessary or the 362 will suffice. I like to get into it riding and as we know Thailands roads can throw up some surprises. I know what I am like, I will probably always wonder if the 366's would have been better than the 362's if I buy the latter...
I really don't want the piggy back design and realise that they offer beter performance but given how I ride and these non piggy back designs have large pistons and bladder seperating the oil and gas I think I won't be able to push them to see a degradation in performance.
Well done YSS, I have thrown off the "It's only Thai made scooter shocks" mantle. They are a quality item. I can always take the stickers off
So I am left with deciding on the front end. Leaving it standard is not an option, it has to be one of the worst front ends i have used on any bike (30+ years riding)
The Bitubo cartridge seems good still as well as other cartridge systems out there then there are the emulators a bit cheaper and then using progressive fork springs is cheaper still.
The cartridges are the way to go and given I am going to put high end shocks on it and I want it to handle the best I can I am looking at those.
So much for the $1000 budget eh?...The Bitubo cartridge will run close to $600 as well but I am looking at an American company Traxxion to see what they have.
Any advice welcome!
Having already researched this and with a budget of $1000 and wanting non piggy back rear shocks (purely for asthetics) I had settled on a set up from Italian company Bitubo. They made a very nice looking shock and fork cartridge set at my budget but looking for dealers here it seems they are not so popular.
So I spent last night going over the options again and had another hard look at YSS. I have to say it took a bit to get past the made in Thailand scooter shock prejudice and after looking hard at them they actually come up as a very good shock. They have a very good and pro active network here in the USA, Have some very good technicians behind the development and of course they are made and sold in Thailand so I should have no trouble getting service back there. Their Z range is where I am at and am torn between the Z 362 and Z 366 models.They appear the same except the 366 has a 16mm shaft over the 362's 12mm. Both have 36mm pistons. There is a z 302 with a 30mm piston and 12mm shaft but @ $460 I can go a little better given my budget.
So it seems the z 362 falls between the 302 and 366 and @ $500 is good value seeing the 366 is $660. The z366 carries some more higher quality parts notably a better "bearing" mounting arrangement over the standard bushings. But at $660 it is really geting up there for a shock. I can get an Ohlins 36E for $550 but it has no rebound adjustment, only compression and I think is overpriced given what the YSS offers - 60 click rebound, +10mm height adjustment, quality mounting arrangement and a bladder seperating the oil and gas inside the piston (the ohlins has non and is an "emulsion" shock, very low end)
I did have a brief look at prices in Thailand and saw a set for +20k baht but if anyone can show me a price list in Thailand I would love to see it as it may save me carrying some in (more room and weight for other stuff!) I am assuming it is cheaper here and at around 20k for these z 366's I think is ok value compared to in country.
I am still deciding if the beefier 366's are neccessary or the 362 will suffice. I like to get into it riding and as we know Thailands roads can throw up some surprises. I know what I am like, I will probably always wonder if the 366's would have been better than the 362's if I buy the latter...
I really don't want the piggy back design and realise that they offer beter performance but given how I ride and these non piggy back designs have large pistons and bladder seperating the oil and gas I think I won't be able to push them to see a degradation in performance.
Well done YSS, I have thrown off the "It's only Thai made scooter shocks" mantle. They are a quality item. I can always take the stickers off
So I am left with deciding on the front end. Leaving it standard is not an option, it has to be one of the worst front ends i have used on any bike (30+ years riding)
The Bitubo cartridge seems good still as well as other cartridge systems out there then there are the emulators a bit cheaper and then using progressive fork springs is cheaper still.
The cartridges are the way to go and given I am going to put high end shocks on it and I want it to handle the best I can I am looking at those.
So much for the $1000 budget eh?...The Bitubo cartridge will run close to $600 as well but I am looking at an American company Traxxion to see what they have.
Any advice welcome!