Yamaha lowering link for the TTR

YamaLink question of the day: I just purchased a 2007 Yamaha TTR230 for my wife and it is a bit tall for her. I was told by others that we could not get a lowering link for it because of the clearance on the swing arm . I just wanted to verify that your lowering link for this bike will work. Please advise.

Our reply: Hi. You may have been told "there is no TTR 230 lowering link" because we only came out with our TTR YamaLink within the year. But here it is: http://www.motorcycleloweringlinks.com/index.php?content=yamaha_lowering_ttr

Comes with bearings and seals, and easy-to-understand installation instructions and recommendations for both front and rear.

Yamaha WR250 lowering link post of the day

A WR250F rider asked us for some tips on settings and spring rate. He has a 2009 model, is coming off a long break from riding and weighs in at a muscular 250 pounds. Our suggestions....


"At 250 pounds you need heavier springs even without the YamaLink. I'll try to break it down in simple terms.

Your bike has approximately 12 inches of rear travel. It needs the proper amount of sag which is 1/3 of that 12 inches: your bike needs 4 inches of sag for the rear suspension to get efficient traction, maintain wheel contact with the ground and have enough travel left to suspend you and the bike for the big hits.

Too much sag and the rear end squats, the bike understeers up front and actually rides harsher on the small stuff while leaving you with LESS travel to suspend the big bumps. The bike will wallow and you will bottom hard!

Not enough sag and the rear wheel gets bad traction and the rear wheel skips and hops....and the rear of the bike is also too tall.

That is why the proper spring rate is crucial, even moreso with a YamaLink. Why? The YamaLink has an increased leverage ratio which not only helps lower the rear of your WRF but it makes it more plush, get better traction, turn better, etc. It also makes the suspension go through its travel easier meaning easier bottoming.

With the stock bike setup at your 250 pounds (according to Race Tech site: http://old.racetech.com/evalving/menu/searchdirt.asp) you need a 5.52 kg/mm spring. Stock is 4.7 kg/mm. I'd recommend the 5.6 kg/mm rear spring with a YamaLink."

WR (WRF) Yamaha lowering question

Question: If you have any tips regarding the sag/setup that would be great. I mainly do slow rocky trail riding in the mountains. I weigh 160 without gear, closer to 180with everything on. I'm 5'8".

Our reply: At your weight I'd start out with a sag setting of 3.5 inches; it takes away from the 1.75" lowering at full 4 inch sag, but you'll still have excellent plushness and small bump absorption for rocks and roots without any excessive bottoming or wallow. Then raise the forks UP in the triple clamps about 4 to 6 mm (6mm is .25 inches) and fine tune based on riding style and local terrain.

If you find the 3.5 inches of sag works great then put in 3.75 inches of sag. You'll get an extra quarter inch lowering while making the bike more plush....yet some more aggressive riders may find it too soft. I bet you stay at 3.5 inches; I'm your weight and that's what I run.

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.