Michael's 2016 WR250F lowering question

Mike asks "I’m getting ready to order a yamalink to lower my 2016 WR250F. Your website mentioned riders over a certain weight may need a new rear spring. I’ve been looking at racetech (and other sites) for a spring, but I wondered if you sell them, or if you’d recommend a supplier that would work better in concert with the yamalink."

Our reply: Michael, hello. We don't sell springs, and we don't have a preference for a spring manufacturer. As for the YamaLink, if you go with the Short/RACE version for the 2016 WR250F (lowers it half amount of Trail), most at your weight simply reset sag and don't need a heavier spring. But if you went up one spring rate it would be good. If you went for the Long/Trail YamaLink which lowers your 2016 WR250F rear 1.25 inches, then definitely go up at least one spring rate rate, then reset sag. The included instructions are easy to follow and give guidelines for sag and then the front forks.

YZ450F lowering email from Jeff

Jeff writes "This is now my 4th yamalink and at 5' 7" 135 i have always used the non race link , even though I race mx. I believe it fools the the spring to thinking its a lighter spring so I never have had to re-spring my bikes, and it has always worked fine. I raced this weekend and I can say that the stock link doesn't do well in the breaking bumps over what the yamalink does. Yamaha allows 5mm on the forks but I have gone another 5mm and have had no ill handling problems whatsoever. Like you say I think these so called experts only go by what the factory says and set these bikes up for much taller and heavier riders (190 and higher and 6' and taller) but I have gone more than what they allow and have made a much better riding machine for guys my size anyways, and have not caused any ill handling like they claim it will do. Oh, I love the fat chick thing!

WR250F lowering question from Christian

Christian asks "I am looking to lower the suspension on a 2003 wr250f so that my wife can ride the bike. She is only 5'5" and just can't quite make the seat height work. My question is this, there is a lot of information on the internet that states not to use one of these lowering links because the travel doesn't change and therefore when and if you bottom out the suspension the tire is going to slam into the fender. I see a lot of other great reviews on your product. I am just doing research directly with you so I know about the consequences involved with putting on one of these linkages. She only weighs 120lbs and the stock spring are already too stiff. I will also set up the sag appropriately. Is the tire slamming into the fender something that I should be concerned with? Is the link going to cause the wheel travel to exceed the dimensions between the tire and fender."

Our reply: Here is how you get fender eating rear tire situation....

do not reset sag

do not respring for extra leverage

rider is too heavy for stock setup let alone a YamaLink

bike has rear shock that was blown and leaking oil and/or nitrogen to begin with

Any of the 4 mentioned above will make a bike wallow, understeer with or without a YamaLink. The YamaLink's extra leverage exacerbates the stock bike's problems.

YZ250FX lowering question from Jeremy

Jeremy emailed asking "I received the YamaLink and while reading the installation instructions, I have a question. The instructions state that the bike must be properly re-sprung. I don’t know what this means. Dies it mean I need to buy a new spring or is it an adjustment I need to make?? I weigh 150 lbs and am 5’8” so I wasn’t expecting to install a different spring. Thanks Jeremy."

Our reply: Hi. On the YZ250FX order page that you placed the purchase it reads "The Trail YamaLink (NOT the RACE link) may require the rider to go up in spring rate if you are on border of needing heavier spring with the stock suspension." You are not on the border at 150 pounds. You simply have to reset sag then dial in the front and clickers per our recommendations and your personal preference.

2015 YZ125 lowering question from Quinn

Quinn writes "Hi there, I have a 2015 yz125, lots of ATV riding experience but a beginner rider on the YZ125. Bike has a 38 seat height, I measure 32 inches from crotch to my heels. I will never race the YZ125 but want to have lots of racey fun on the sand dunes.

I believe the Yamalink YZ Link #1 is the better choice for me but since I only weigh 138lbs I barely move the seat down at all when I sit on the bike. I would like a soft ride for my 50 year old bones, what spring is right for me? Where can I buy the right spring from? Is the stock spring close enough? Appreciate any help you can toss my way."

Our reply: Quinn, at 138 pounds I would use the stock spring THEN reset sag, and dial the bike in per the included instructions. Resetting sag is the most important part of any bike setup with or without a YamaLink.

Lowering YZ250F question of the day: which one to get?

Richards asks "I have a 2005 YZ250F and i’m looking at lowering it, doing some research i’m finding two different links. One link looks like two wishbone arms that both attach to a sleeve or cylinder, and the other looks like a small knuckle type with two grease fittings. Do you know which one I would need or do they both work?

Rich, This is the only YamaLink that fits a 2005 YZ250F: Click HERE

Our other YamaLinks which are a straight piece don't allow enough lowering on your bike without the spring and swingarm bashing into each other. That is why we made the "rocker" link with two grease zerks.

Yamaha YZ 250 lowering spring rate question

Clint writes in with "I purchased the lowering link for my 2002 yz 250 I'm like 190lb. Could you tell me what spring to get it close way to soft now.

Our reply was "A 2002 YZ 250 comes sprung for a 160 pound rider. You need a heavier spring WITHOUT a YamaLink if you weigh 190 pounds. At 190 pounds with the stock spring you have too much sag BEFORE a YamaLink.

With the YamaLink you need to go up 15% in spring rate from the correct spring rate for a 190 pound rider. Visit http://racetech.com/ChooseVehicle.aspx and put in your bike and weight and riding terrain. Add 15% to 190 pounds when figuring out your YamaLink rate options. You can also see the proper spring rate BEFORE a YamaLink for a 190 pound rider.

If you are in between spring rates go for the heavier rate.

2015 WR250F lowering question, which YamaLink

Alonzo asks "I have a 2015 Yamaha WR250F, i want to lower the bike. (i’m 5,8 & 175lbs). My style riding is trail riding & sand dunes, little bit of track, which yamalink do you recommend & any tips? Thanks."

As you know from our website we make two options for the 2015 WR250F. The Trail lowers the bike 1.25 inches. The RACE lowers your bike HALF the amount of the trail. It's purely a personal decision which YamaLink to get.

Buying TTR YamaLink lowering without PayPal?

Heath's question is about paying for his YamaLink. "Hi, I want to purchase a lowering link for a 2006 TTR 230. I would like to know if you have any in stock and if so how soon could I get to Reno Nevada? Also, can I call you with a credit card? I really dont want to set up a pay pal account."

Good question, Heath. There are some who aren't big fans of PayPal. We have plenty of 2006 TTR230 YamaLinks in stock. You don't need a paypal account to pay with a credit card on the paypal site (the option is in small print because PayPal does indeed want you to set up an account). Feel free to call and place the order with us over the phone.

We ship everyday via priority mail. We're in Boise. Reno takes 2 or 3 days.

2014 WR250R lowering question of the day

Wayne writes "Hi. I have a 2014 WR250R with yamalink installed. The yamalink imstructions specify that I should slide my forks up 12-18 mm to maintain a balanced suspension. My bike also has the factory lowering option with the spring preload set to minimum. Should my fork be lowered more than with just the yamalink alone? My ride weight is about 175 lbs if that matters."

Our non-exciting reply: Wayne, Hello. Front fork height is a purely personal preference. We don't recommend more than 18mm due to contact between the tire and front fender under full bottoming.

Aussi Matt's question about 2017 WR450F lowering with YamaLink

Matt emailed "Hi, I’m in Australia and have a 2017 WR450F I’d like to lower using your product, but cannot find a distributor? Do you have a distributor over here? If not can you tell me the best way to order?"

Our reply: You can order direct from our website. As for shipping you have two options, both of which are detailed on yamalink.com

Brian's 2005 YZ 250 lowering link question for YamaLink.com

Brian asked "I am looking for a lowering link that will still allow for very aggressive riding. I am 200 lbs., short short inseam, but am also a very full throttle rider. I run road courses in WMRRA, and play hard on dirt as well. Picked up a 05 YZ250 and can’t even throw a freaking leg over it. I do not want to lose performance, especially jump travel. What do you guys have that will work?"

And our answer was: At 200 pounds you need a much heavier spring for an 05 YZ250. It comes sprung for a 160 pound rider. Having said that, the only YamaLink we make for the 05 YZ250 two stroke has too much leverage for a full throttle 200 pound rider. We do NOT recommend it for you.

The RACE YamaLink unfortunately does not fit your 2005. Only 2006 and newer. I know it sounds odd for the seller of a product to not recommend our lowering link, but in our many years of doing this we know 100% that our 1.5 inch lowering kit is too much for your needs. It'd make the YZ wallow, bottom and ride poorly.

Pat's 2006 YZ125 Yamaha lowering question

Pat asks "I just bought an 06 yz 125 and it's pretty tall (more than the 1995 cr125 that was about right). I'm a little older at 56 (195 lbs) and pretty much a novice and a little lower would be nice. Sounds like the #1 link would make the bike feel smoother (plush?) which would be plus as well. However, it looks like this is designed for smaller/younger/lighter riders and I wonder if it would work out for me? Will I be able to get the sag right for me with this link?"

Our reply: Pat, a YZ125 is sprung from the factory for a 145 pound rider. Even WITHOUT a YamaLink you need a much heavier spring to get proper sag at 195 pound rider weight. THEN you add a YamaLink and must go up in spring rate....get a heavier spring either way.

Andy's 2014 YZ250F lowering link, which YamaLink does he have?

Andy writes "I bought a 2014 yz250f that has one of your lowering links installed from the previous owner. Im trying to find out if its the race or the non race link. Im assuming its the length of the link from the center of the pivot points that changes the drop. Could you provide me with any way to tell which one I have? If its the non race I need to order the race one."

Answer: Our YamaLink RACE for the 2014 YZ250F says RACE on the engraved arm. The non-RACE simply reads YamaLink.

Rich's 2008 YZ250F lowering YamaLink spring rate

I'm looking in to get 1 lot your lowering link for my 08 yzf 250. I'm a shorter rider at 5'5" with all my gear on I'm at 190lbs do you recommend I change out the spring. I mostly ride trails but I have a friend that has a track that I'm thinking going to ride so do I have to change out the spring. The spring that is on it now is the original stock one. If you let me what I have to do I would appreciate it. RICH

Rich, You need a much heavier spring for your YZ250F BEFORE a YamaLink is installed. The bike is stock sprung for a 155 pound rider. With a YamaLink you should follow the recommendation: Click HERE.

Add 15% to your weight and pick a spring for that final number.

Max's 2016 WR450F YamaLink lowering question, which one?

Hello I need for my bike yamaha wr450 year 2016 a lowering link, which is the difference of her WR Yamaha lowering link race and trail.

Trail lowers rear 1.25 inches.

Race lowers is HALF the amount of Trail.

Nick's 2016 YZ250 lowering YamaLink question

Nick writes "I purchased a lowering link for my yz 250 and currently have it on the stiffest setting for the shock and it is still bottoming. I set up the sag as recommended in your instructions and was just wondering if you have any advice on set up on how to fix this issue? I weigh 190 pounds, not sure if weight factors in to set up.

Nick, Hi. At 190 pounds you are too heavy for a YZ250 even BEFORE a YamaLink is installed. A YZ250 (two stroke I presume since you did not say YZ250F) comes sprung from factory for about 165 pounds. At 190 before gear and before the YamaLink you are too heavy and have too much sag.

The YamaLink extra leverage requires a heavier spring as stated on the website, the FAQ and the included instructions. On the YZ250 order page that you purchased off of it reads "CLICK HERE: IMPORTANT" and that takes you to the FAQ which covers the spring for leverage: Click HERE

Follow the instructions that came with your YamaLink: reset sag + be properly sprung. It's at the very top of the sheet right after the words BEFORE RIDING. Add 15% to 190 pounds and that is your spring rate. If in between spring rates go for the heavier rate.

Let us know if you need more assistance. Thanks!

2018 YZ450F press release from RacerX

Electric start as predicted: Racer X PR

Ben's 2008 WR250F Yamaha lowering question

Ben writes "I have just installed the Yamalink on my 2008 WR250F, I have a question regarding settin the race sag. I weigh 65 kg / 10 stone 2 and I have adjusted the stock spring to give 99mm of race sag which leaves 39mm of static sag. I am guessing as I am a light rider less than 70 kg I will get away with the stock spring?

Do you think this sounds like a good setup or if maybe I should dial in a bit less sag? I have not altered compression / rebound."

That's a great question. Our reply is "Hi. With aftermarket linkages like a YamaLink the STATIC sag number is not relevant like it is with a stock suspension setup.

You just need to get RACE sag in the appropriate range based on spring rate THEN dial in compression and rebound.

At your weight I would recommend leaving the stock spring on. Riders at your weight on that bike dial in race sag anywhere from about 98mm to 102mm. And then they fine tune fork height a millimeter either way AFTER settling on their preferred race sag."

YamaLink Yamaha T7 lowering link, of course, but until then....

Exciting news about the Yamaha T7. Good video here: Click