Yamaha WR250 lowering comment of the day

A WR250 rider from Pennsylvania just sent his input on his new YamaLink:

Thanks for the phone assist. I settled on about 3 1/8-3 1/4 inch sag. The chain adjustment from before the link change worked out as is, but I am very particular about chain maintenance, so it is kept track of. (I have been through three rear tires and two fronts on my road bike, and have finally needed to adjust the chain the first time after 9.5K miles. I treat the WR the same way.)

Results: I took a "lap" on my favorite woods roads and some rough stuff where I already know how the bike handled before. It is an entirely different motorcycle with the link and suspension changes. Strangely, the seat even feels better, but I may just be getting numb. It happens to old goats.

Next up is a gearing and tire change, with a speedo recalibrator.

I would endorse your product to anyone. Your product and service are outstanding. I've been a rider since the late 60's and I know quality when I find it. Keep up the good work. If anything else I get needs a link, you'll be getting a call.


Thanks again.

2010 YZ450F YamaLink Race in AMA Outdoors

There will be two Yamaha YZ450F racers in the 2010 AMA Outdoors Series with the YamaLink Race suspension link. Both ride for Yamaha factory support teams.

Yamaha WR250R lowering YamaLink forum post

A question about the WR250R YamaLink was posted at the WRR/X forum: HERE

Yamaha TTR lowering question of the day

From Jon...

"I just got the bike for my wife. It's a 2009 ttr230 and
the seat height is at about 34". She is 5'4" 130 lbs, and has an inseam of 30". Looks like your link will help with height and sag but I'm wondering what else I can do to drop the bike for her a bit more. So she can get both feet on the ground."

Our reply:

You'll want to raise the fork tubes UP in the triple clamps. The installation instructions will tell you how much; it's pretty simple to do.

The YamaLink's 1.5 inches is the most you should lower the rear if you want a balanced and even handling TTR230. After you raise the fork tubes up your wife will tell you if the bike is too slow turning or if it headshakes at speed. A few millimeters this way or that makes a big difference. There is no 1:1 lowering ratio of front vs rear because changes to rake/trail (the forks) affects your wife's TTR geometry at a different rate than changes to the rear lowering.

Some may tell you "ah, put more sag in the rear and your feet will be closer." Wrong idea. Yes, it's closer to the ground but you are using up too much net travel (total travel minus sag) and the bike will ride too harsh as the increased sag puts the leverage further into the shock's progression.

So install the YamaLink. Set sag. Raise forks up.

Yamaha WR lowering: From Montana to Dakar

Received an order/email from a Montana-based rider looking to lower his Yamaha WRF, and eventually take the WR to Dakar. That got us to thinking about the trip and all the extra weight.

With a YamaLink the first and most important part is resetting sag. The increased leverage ratio does a few things: better traction, more plushness, better cornering....and also makes the rear wheel travel through its arc easier thus leading to easier bottoming.

That's why the resetting of sag and being properly sprung for rider weight + gear is so crucial. Ninety nine percent of our customers have a great handling bike that is stable but turns great and corners like a dream. Those who have issues do NOT know how to set sag or set up a bike (or follow directions, ha).

And then you throw in extra gas and water and tools to make it cross that desert. When you get the YamaLink, follow the instructions for resetting sag and dialing the bike in. If you're on the border of needing a heavier spring with the stock setup you will definitely need one with the YamaLink's increased leverage. I'd say this "border" is for riders around 175 to 180 pounds before gear. Most are going one up one or two spring rates. But if you are a lightweight rider then this should be no concern with the stock setup.