Hey guys,
Will this fit on my GS500F?
I know I'll have to buy the clevis mount separately

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-Yamaha-YZF-R6-YZF-R6-OEM-Rear-Shock-Absorber-Linkage-Assembly-/201963403647?hash=item2f05f4f97f:g:96EAAOSwXetZTc07&vxp=mtr

I have been doing a lot of reading up on these things lately (plan to purchase one here in the near future) and that one looks good.

In the wiki, I added a few helpful links (at the bottom):
http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearShock

One of which, shows a thread where a forum member installed a shock of that style:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=68673.0

If you purchase that exact listing, you shouldn't have to buy anything extra afaik... because in the picture, it clearly shows that the shock will include the lower R6 bolt, spacer and nut, which you need

I've currently got one with a black spring on my eBay watch list

I've been hesitating on this myself, but I just found this excellent installation video https://youtu.be/a_0gnFaONfY that has answered all my questions.

Except for why the 2008 shock is considered better than the 2009? (as per the link in the the SWB post above http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=68673.0 )

That's one question I didn't find the answer to either!

The only thing I could think of, is that the later model shock is shaped differently on the top and therefore might be easier to install (which, to some people, could mean that it's better lol!)

I made this pic to show what I mean.


I do remember reading in one of those threads I added to the wiki that someone was able to remove the chain guard and heel plate and install the shock in from the side of the bike that way. Maybe that way of installation isn't possible with the earlier/wider shock

Also, the dials on the top are different... perhaps that could be a reason why they are better... but I wasn't able to find any info on that

Thanks for the help guys! Sounds like a decent mod I'm going to do the front suspension first and see how it goes but eventually might put this shock in as well.

Cheers all for the advice, I've bought it so I'll post up some pics when I get it installed. Could be 6 months away yet, still gotta upgrade the front suspension first. Do you all recommend Sonic Springs or can I just get away with the nylon spacer 31mm x 35mm as posted in the mods section?

How much do you weigh? What is your riding style? Do you ever ride with a passenger?

The Sonic Springs are going to be much better unless you weigh under 150 lbs, ride conservatively and don't ever carry a passenger or touring luggage.

All really good questions to ask when considering the forks!

Have you checked out the spring rate calculator on the sonic springs site?
http://sonicsprings.com/catalog/calculate_spring_rate.php?osCsid=c40723f09e36a57f3f0615fba5ac2da1

My weight hovers right around 145-150lbs and I thought I'd be happy without upgrading springs... but I'm not... and I don't ride very aggressively either although I do take a passenger from time to time.

Anywhoo, I ended up just messaging the owner (Rich Desmond who is also a member on the forum here) and asked him what he recommended for me. He was SUPER helpful and very kind. The rate calculator suggested .70 springs for me but they weren't (at the time) listed for the GS on the site... and when I talked to him he said he would put them up (it must have been an error) but recommended I go with .75 springs with stock 10w fork oil after I gave him all my info.

Also, I finally purchased the shock as well. Hooray for bike parts!!!

Quote from: froidy on July 25, 2017, 05:22:07 AM
Do you all recommend Sonic Springs or can I just get away with the nylon spacer 31mm x 35mm as posted in the mods section?

The spacer will only affect preload, which is not what you want.

Preload is really about ride height. If you need less sag, then a spacer (and more preload) will get you less sag. But it won't affect bottoming. The same amount of force will still move the spring the same amount because the spring rate hasn't changed.

If you cut the coils down and replace the empty space with a spacer then you will increase spring rate. The stock springs are like .65kg/mm. The spring rate of the R6 shock may be higher (is it? Someone can confirm), so to match it up front you may want to go as high as .80kg/m on the front (what it took to match my Katana shock). That's a 25% increase in spring rate, which will require you to cut 1/4 of the spring. That's a lot (I cut about 1/5 of mine, which I think is the max you should cut). This will reduce travel by replacing spring with spacer.

I bought a Kat600 shock for $30 and couldn't really talk myself into the cost of Sonic Springs, figured I'd try cutting coils first since it was (nearly) free. So far it's working out great for me. Every time I come up with one of these mod ideas I should just take the money I'd spend and put it in my New-Ducati fund.

@SBW, ha I'm a similarlyish weight to you and Rich also recommended the 75 springs nearly 10 months ago! However I was putting it off not sure if I was going to keep the bike, and it's an expensive upgrade as I had recently  had new seals installed and then there's the shipping to Australia. Sooooo I was interested to see what the shock would do as that's a helluva lot cheaper in my case. So I'll be interested to know your opinion on both of these upgrades. I'm hoping my fork seals wear out soon so I have an excuse. I've put a bit of sand under the seal to help, (kidding)

LOL at the sand!! I hear ya though... my fork seals currently aren't that old either... but they are leaking again due to the tiny pits and imperfections in the fork tubes. I've had them buffed/resurfaced etc once already and it didn't help... soooo on my list of parts to buy are new chrome inner tubes.

I haven't had ANY luck finding them anywhere for less than $300 for the pair so the price of the sonic springs doesn't seem so bad in comparison   But yes, add shipping to where you are and I bet the springs would be quite costly

I'll be sure to post my findings in my project thread

Quote from: Bluesmudge on July 25, 2017, 08:23:51 AM
How much do you weigh? What is your riding style? Do you ever ride with a passenger?

The Sonic Springs are going to be much better unless you weigh under 150 lbs, ride conservatively and don't ever carry a passenger or touring luggage.

Thanks for the reply I'm about 187lbs without gear and I don't carry passengers but I wouldn't mind taking my partner for a ride or two down the track. Sounds like the sonic springs will be the go.

Quote from: ShowBizWolf on July 25, 2017, 11:28:30 AM
All really good questions to ask when considering the forks!

Have you checked out the spring rate calculator on the sonic springs site?
http://sonicsprings.com/catalog/calculate_spring_rate.php?osCsid=c40723f09e36a57f3f0615fba5ac2da1

My weight hovers right around 145-150lbs and I thought I'd be happy without upgrading springs... but I'm not... and I don't ride very aggressively either although I do take a passenger from time to time.

Anywhoo, I ended up just messaging the owner (Rich Desmond who is also a member on the forum here) and asked him what he recommended for me. He was SUPER helpful and very kind. The rate calculator suggested .70 springs for me but they weren't (at the time) listed for the GS on the site... and when I talked to him he said he would put them up (it must have been an error) but recommended I go with .75 springs with stock 10w fork oil after I gave him all my info.

Also, I finally purchased the shock as well. Hooray for bike parts!!!

Thanks SBW! I checked the calculator and it recommends 0.70 springs for my weight (187lbs) not really sure how much more I'd weigh with gear. I put it as 200lbs, standard/sport touring, normal street, no tank bag and 440lbs bike weight

Quote from: ShowBizWolf on July 21, 2017, 04:37:23 PM
That's one question I didn't find the answer to either!

The only thing I could think of, is that the later model shock is shaped differently on the top and therefore might be easier to install (which, to some people, could mean that it's better lol!)

I made this pic to show what I mean.


I do remember reading in one of those threads I added to the wiki that someone was able to remove the chain guard and heel plate and install the shock in from the side of the bike that way. Maybe that way of installation isn't possible with the earlier/wider shock

Also, the dials on the top are different... perhaps that could be a reason why they are better... but I wasn't able to find any info on that

As someone who has learned the ins and outs of this mod hands on - you're exactly on the right track.

The later models slow / fast compression damping doodads on the top of the shock are much smaller than the earlier ones. You can fit the later one in more easily without taking so much off the bike to drop it in from the top. I'd still recommend dropping it in from the top even if you have the smaller/later model, so you don't end up scratching things up by trying to fit it in from the side - but if you aren't concerned with that - or have an eye for geometry in motion - go for it lol!

There is no advantage other than ease of install to which year you get - just make sure it has a clevis mount - that's by far most important factor.

- Bboy

Edit: Also, since fork springs have been brought up in this thread -
To. This. Day... the front fork springs have been the best "mod" I have ever done on my GS for the money.  I'm sure I'm not the only one with this opinion, but the GS should never have been shipped with the springs it came to us with.

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Wow, thanks Bboy!!! Awesome information, for sure

Quote from: BockinBboy on July 26, 2017, 09:13:32 PM
To. This. Day... the front fork springs have been the best "mod" I have ever done on my GS for the money.  I'm sure I'm not the only one with this opinion, but the GS should never have been shipped with the springs it came to us with.

That sounds about right. I know my spring-chop was a tremendous success, and I kind of regret not going all the way with new springs at the time because it would have been less work.

It's here! Keen to get it on but I think I'll get some sonic springs for the forks first

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Very nice!!!

I put a 2009 R6 shock on my 2006 GS500f yesterday. I was able to put it in from the bottom with no problem. I only wish my motorcycle was as clean as ShowBizWolf's--my hands got pretty dirty. I am doing the forks today. I am going to try putting Yamaha SR500 inner valve springs on top of the stock springs. We will see how it goes.

Many thanks ajensen Yes keep us posted about those springs!