Progressive shock shocker -- YSS on sale UPDATE

[Motorhobo]

I just called Progressive and learned that rebuild parts for the 420 are no longer available - supplier went belly-up and I guess nobody at Progressive cared since they want to sell you new stuff rather than recondition the old stuff.

So I'm left with a big hunk of landfill. So continuing this old post from 2011 now...

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=526.msg1277#msg1277

Based on frankenduck's recommendation I have an inquiry in to http://www.realmengineering.com. Also looking at Works and Progressive 412 -- can't afford the 465 and I don't ride 'hard' (whatever that means) but am more an everyday, point A to point B kind of rider.

So -- are there other products out there that offer comparable performance with a good cost-to-benefit ratio? Pointers to anyone who can rebuild these things besides http://www.gpsuspension.com or any other info about parts availablity for the 420 would be appreciated. I hate throwing stuff out that costs several hundred dollars to replace.

Also, if anyone has recently installed a 412 I have some questions about which model and setup -- there are a lot of them on Amazon and Fleabay. I have a low-seat K75 and the 420 was set up high to give me some extra height in the saddle. It's really noticable when putting it up on the center stand - my other K75 with the 412 gives me a hernia and I use the center stand all the time so I'd like to have that extra height if I can get it on the 412.

Van

[johnny]

http://epmperf.com/yss-shock-absorbers.htm

have only heard good things about the inexpensive yss shocker from klaus at emp...

j o

[roninvt]

I installed a Ram shock this summer ($450 delivered from England). I have been real happy with it, and it is rebuildable. 

[Motorhobo]

I have only heard good things about the inexpensive yss shocker from klaus at emp..

Funny you should say that Johnny -- I just called them before you posted this reply. I'd never heard of YSS until you just mentioned it. I will definitely call Klaus later today...and it's even within riding distance (3 hrs + December in NJ = brrrr). I'll be close to there for Xmas anyway tho -- family lives close-by.

I installed a Ram shock this summer ($450 delivered from England). I have been real happy with it, and it is rebuildable. 

Also considering that but until they get a US distributor I'd like to explore options that have a direct US contact.

[Motorhobo]

OK -- so here's the YSS website:

http://www.yssusa.com/products_yss.html

If I had lots more money I'd get the best shock on the planet -- but I don't.

The E-302 is comparable price-wise to the Progressive 412, actually a bit cheaper at $219. The C-302 also has a version with a piggyback reservoir for $259 but I don't like the looks of that...one good whack and it goes flying. Not sure I understand the benefits of the separate reservoir anyway. I was perfectly happy with my 420 until it crapped out.

Anybody know if the YSS are rebuildable? I'm p.o'ed that Progressive pulled the plug on the 420 rebuild.

Van

[Motorhobo]

So to close this out -- I'm probably going to go for the YSS 366 TR - the 302 only has preload but no damping adjustment. The 366 TR has preload and damping and according to Klaus is the most-sold YSS for the K75/K100. Klaus at http://www.epmperf.com/ is also running a 15% discount this month and January which would bring the price down to $300 and change. That's less than the Progressive 465 and probably all around a better unit. Klaus knows his s**t.

It's my Xmas present to myself and my sorry ass.

Thanks to johnny for pointing me there --

Van

[johnny]

i was gonna go with the yss when i needed a new shocker for the 1100 rs... butts went with the work performance because it was gonna be a custom build... not one of those off the shelf deals they call a custom build... and at the time it was beyond what yss could do and back up with a track record...

our 1100 rs motobrick fully loaded weighs in at 690 pounds... 2up in full gear it weighs in at 1220 pounds...

works performance did some special valving and supplied a non-conventional spring for us... gotts 2 of those now... both have been 100% yeeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

butts if i was gonna 1 up a 750 motobrick... i would take another look at the yss...

hope it works out for you...

j o

[achtung3]

I have a progressive 412 on my K75S with corbin low seat, and I have posted in this section "finally the right shocks"
I had purchase a 412-4015 and it was too tall so I ended up selling to my friend who just happened to buy a K75RT and the shock height was 14" springs, it was too tall for me, I am only 5'6" with 31" inseam, and then I purchased a 412-4016B which is about 13.25" spring length and it is just like the stock shock and i am very happy with it.

I hope this helps you. :riding:

[jetpoweredmonkey]

I just bought a YSS from Ted Porter - installed it tonight.  I'll post back with some thoughts after I get a few rides in.  It looks fantastic!

Ted's shop had a great price.

[Motorhobo]

I just bought a YSS from Ted Porter - installed it tonight. 

Which one did you get? The one with damping or without?

 Klaus at EMP tells me he can still rebuild my Progressive 420, so either Progressive was b.s.ing me about no parts being made for that shock or Klaus has better suppliers than the manufacturer. Either way I'd buy a YSS before I'd buy a new Progressive. That being said, I can't justify throwing the 420 away so I will probably rebuild it, save a couple hundred $ and upgrade later. My other K75 has a Pgogressive 412 which will fail eventually and isn't rebuildable.

[johnny]

ted n klaus both know their ch1t... both sell and tune ohlins wilbers yss hyperpro n others...

the progressive can be rebuilt... progressive may not do the work anymore... butts klaus can do it...

j o

[jetpoweredmonkey]

Which one did you get? The one with damping or without?

The YSS I bought has rebound damping and length adjustment.  It came set to the factory length.  The rebound knob has 60 positions and is very easy to turn with or without gloves.  Also, the spring preload adjuster is nice.  It uses a short rod inserted into a hole to turn the ring.  Much easier to deal with than those stupid c-spanners.  To lock the ring, there is a small set screw.  It's a nice setup, looks tidy and the adjusters don't get chewed up from the spanners.

I talked to Ted Porter about the Hyperpro and Wilbers.  He did not recommend the Eco Line Wilbers because it has no damping adjustment.  I had been thinking of the higher spec Wilbers, but his opinion is that it is overkill for the K100 and I think he's right.  If I was going to race a brick, maybe. 

I am really impressed with the finish on the YSS, it looks nice on the bike, by which I mean it looks like a quality piece without drawing attention to itself, and I haven't been out for a ride yet, but just sitting on the seat and bouncing up and down, it feels 1000% more plush.  :)

[K75RT Keith]

I put the same YSS and my K75 and after adjusting it, I'm really happy with it.  I think you'll like the end results after you get it dialed in.

[matty]

http://epmperf.com/yss-shock-absorbers.htm

have only heard good things about the inexpensive yss shocker from klaus at emp...

j o

Anyone else having trouble with their website? 

[voodooskin]

When I asked Klaus about shocks for the K1100LT, he can supply:

1) Hyperpro model 360
2) YSS MZ366-385TR

Both rebuildable, %15 off either right now.  The YSS is a few hundred bucks cheaper than the Hyperpro, I think I'll give it a go as part of this Winter's plan of assistance for the K.

Completely separate and hopefully not threadjacking, I've been enjoying Chris Harris' video clips on youtube with all kinds of BMW related goodness.  Colorful language as you might expect from a decent mechanic, be warned  :eek:

[Motorhobo]

It looks like http://www.EPMPerf.com is down due to web server authentication issues.

732 786 9777 is the number I have, North/Central New Jersey. They're telephone-friendly people...a rarity these days.

BTW +1 Chris Harris videos -- you've probably all seen this one but here it is anyway. Spoiler alert -- due respect to the BMW dealer who did this work (watch video for names) but I sure hope they fired the dumbass who used this 'technique' to reassemble a clutch.



V

[jetpoweredmonkey]

I've had a few rides on my YSS and Wilbers fork springs this week.  The shock was easy to install other than needing to grind a small amount of metal off the steel stamping in the frame where it mounts - it just barely fouled the shock body.

I haven't really had a chance to dial in the sag yet, just eyeballed it, but so far the ride on the freeway is every bit as nice as the stock shock (which was cushy and did not call attention to expansion joints), and the big lump in the on-ramp that I hit every morning leaned over at 70mph, which used to completely unsettle the chassis, has more or less disappeared from my consciousness.  I like that.  Haven't had a chance to take a ride on a bendy stretch yet, but I think there will be a big improvement.

The fork springs were super easy to install, they dispense with the silly plastic spacers that the stock springs use, they have slightly more preload than stock (my old springs were probably sagging) and there is far less dive on the brakes.  The front end surging up and down during gear changes (even nice smooth ones) has been completely eliminated, and the bike feels a bit more planted up front, again without adding any noticeable roughness to the ride.

For my use, this is as good as it needs to get for the old K.

[MEL]

well following this thread and found a works performance shock on ebite. I hope I got it at the right price My stock shock was leaking like a well used whore.....still worked but there are better choices...

[Photog]

FWIW, Ram does have a US distributer, at least they did this past spring. But the direct price was significantly cheaper when I bought mine earlier this year, so I went direct. No hassle at all in the order process , and it took 3 or 4 days to show up at my door.

I am very pleased with it, though I've only had the stocker to compare it to, but it's leaps and bound better than that.

[Motorhobo]

well following this thread and found a works performance shock on ebite. I hope I got it at the right price My stock shock was leaking like a well used whore.....still worked but there are better choices...

I saw that too and almost bought it...needs a rebuild tho if its the same one I saw.

I just sent my Progressive 420 from my 95 k75 to Klaus for a rebuild. I just can't justify throwing it away. My 94 k75 has a non-rebuildable Progressive 412 so the plan is to upgrade it to the 420 and buy a YSS for the 95 later in the year. That is, if I don't sell the 94...I'm going to have some financial issues come April 15 I predict.

[MEL]

could be..guy said it didnt leak with 14 day return guarantee...like I will know at this time of year right...lol

[Motorhobo]

could be..guy said it didnt leak with 14 day return guarantee...like I will know at this time of year right...lol

Then it was a different one. The one I saw looked pretty beat up, was off an 85 K and the seller posted that it leaked and needed a rebuild. Still a good deal though even with the cost of the rebuild into account.

Re: weather...you never know. Gonna be over 60 deg F in Maryland today. See anybody who wants to show at City Dock in Annapolis around 11AM for the moto meetup.

Van

[MEL]

easy shock change ....but the nitrogen reservoir mounting SUCKED.... really

[Oliver]

I am replacing with a 2011 ninja 636 piggyback shock. shouldnt be too hard at all

[Motorhobo]

Well, according to Klaus at EPM even he can't get the parts to rebuild the Progressive 420. So I ordered the YSS 366...so you Progressive 420 owners out there...get ready 'cause you're SOL when it fails.

On the other hand, the YSS is a much better shock, so there's the silver lining.

Van