Monday, May 18, 2015

Mick's 2015 YZ250FX suspension lowering kit question

"Hi, I just want some help to me decide if and which link would be good for me on my YZ250FX. I am 43 and weigh 130lbs. 5ft 8in tall. I ride all areas of off-road Desert, some motocross, enduro, endurocross and mountain single track. No racing but have in the past both motocross and desert. Obviously the stock springs are too stiff for me however I like feel of the bike overall and even in stock trim can ride aggressively.

I was going to get an softer rear spring and see what the forks felt like before I messed with it. My understanding is that the yamalink along with the seat lowering will also reduce spring rate. I am thinking with this link I can get the benefits of a lower seat height plus possibly put the rear spring range for my weight. What is your thoughts and opinion? Trail link or race link?"

Our reply: "Based on what you wrote I'd go for the Trail YamaLink for the YZ250FX."

YZ125 lowering 2015 question for Todd's son

"I just bought my son a new 2015 YZ125. The bike is strictly for racing motocross, and he is a novice class rider presently. He is about 125 pounds but on the shorter side. What link, #1 or #2, do you recommend, and how much can I expect the bike to lower with each link? He rode his 85 fast and hard, and I expect he'll eventually do the same with the 125."

We replied "We made the #2 specifically for riders like your son. Yes, the #1 lowers the bike more (1.5") which is great especially on the start line (most use blocks anyway), but we made the #2 for my nephew who at the time was 100 pounds and about 5'4", but he was insanely fast coming off a super mini. The #2 only lowers the rear about 1/2" but the YZ handled so much better especially when the tracks got rougher and/or second moto. So it's not a true lowering link; that's why we call it the RACE YamaLink. Today we sell the #2 to tall YZ racers not just the slightly height impaired.

If you would've said your son was a casual beginner off-road rider and NEVER raced MX we'd go #1. But an aggressive in shape fast kid always chooses the short travel YamaLink aka #2."

Which one? YZ250FX lowering YamaLink question

2015 YZ250FX racer asked us today "I am 155lbs without gear, 5 ' 10 and the fx is a really tall bike. I've thrown the static sag out the window temporarily which has caused my suspension to be less than awesome. I race hare scrambles in intermediate which is equivalent to open b in gncc and i normally ride extreme terrain. I would like to know which lowering link is right for me the race, or the trail. I would certainly appreciate the 1.25" lower seat but i do ride quite aggressively. Im also curious what makes yamalink different from the other links i can get. I've heard they affect the geometry of the bike in a negative way. I look forward to your reply. Thank you."

And our reply: "We read your email twice and all agree the Race YamaLink is what'd we'd slap on. Yes, it'd be great to get the Trail version but your GNCC division and terrain has us leaning toward the shorter travel YamaLink. It'll make the bike perform sooooo much better on the square edge and braking bumps, and while you may wish the lowering was somewhere between the Race and Trail we'd go for less leverage and more fast-racer (that'd be you) handling.

As for the "other links" we don't know a thing about theirs. We're too busy designing, racing and selling ours to even worry about what's on the market. We've been told ours costs considerably less and has a grease zerk which makes lubing your bearings super easy at a race.

And....we replied to your email in a matter of seconds."

TTR 230 lowering question from Marcus

Marcus writes "I just ordered your lowering link for a 2005 TTR 230. If I also raise the forks up in the triple clamps, will the kickstand be too long? Can it be replaced with a shorter kickstand from another/smaller model of bike?"

Our reply: About 99% of TTR230 YamaLink owners simply turn their handlebar to the left and are mindful the bike sits a little higher up. We've never heard of an owner cutting & rewelding the sidestand like some other Yamaha YamaLink owners do.