New Jersey’s EPM Performance is the stocking distributor in the United States for Thailand-based YSS Suspension. EPM has been selling and servicing motorcycle suspension for over 20 years. When I told them about the issue I was having with the shock on the new Ultimate Motorcycling Honda CRF300L Rally Project Bike, they sent me the YSS MG456 reservoir shock sprung for 220 pounds—my weight with average luggage. EPM wanted to demonstrate how a quality, purpose-built, $762 shock could help me mount and dismount the CRF300L Rally safely, while also enhancing the overall riding experience on- and off-road.
I had two main issues and a few minor ones with the Honda CRF300L Rally with the stock shock. Getting on and off was a main issue—I almost dropped the bike every time.
My technique of hesitating when mounting would load the stock shock’s soft rear spring. As I swung my leg over the bike, the spring would rebound. That sent me tipping to the right. If I didn’t get my right tippy toe down quick enough, down went the Rally.
When dismounting, I was racing the rebound to get both boots on the ground and hands firmly on the grips before the bike would try to crawl over the kickstand. If my right heel hung up on the pannier coming over, it was too late. The CR300L Rally would land on the ground, having bounced over its own kickstand.
I didn’t have issues with the stock shock’s dampening. I ride mostly potholed forest roads and occasional slow-speed rocky terrain—no jumping. The inability to handle level or uphill washboard is a standard complaint with stock shock. However, the crazy issue I had getting on and off required immediate attention. I do a lot of freeway riding to get to the off-road fun; with the stock shock, the Rally lacked stability at 65 mph.
Replacing the shock is a reasonably easy job on the Rally. All you need is a torque wrench, a few sockets, grease, and a way to get the rear wheel off the ground. I muscled the Rally onto my bike stand, removed the necessary bolts, and every one of them was dry. After that, the stock shock simply lifts out when disconnected. This is when I noticed the YSS MG456 shock is about a pound lighter than the stock 7.8-pound shock.
To install the reservoir-equipped shock, I had to remove the mud guard between the rear tire and the shock opening. This created room to slide the shock into place. I then greased, replaced, and torqued every bolt. Taking my time, it required about an hour to complete the swap.
When I took the Rally off the stand, I mounted it cautiously. It turns out that I didn’t need to. The YSS shock did what it was supposed to do—let me get on the bike without bucking me off.
I grabbed a handful of front brake and tried to play rocking horse. While the stock shock would expand and rebound like a wooden rocking horse, the YSS unit dampened.
I gingerly dismounted, still feeling the bike trying to climb over the kickstand foot. The YSS shock stands the bike up slightly, which causes it to be tippy on the kickstand side.
I determined that a half-inch longer toe would fix the new problem, and remembered that Tusk—a house brand of Rocky Mountain ATV/MC—makes a side stand foot that bolts over the stock foot. The Tusk Billet Side Stand Foot ($16) put the final fix on my mounting and dismounting issues.
Getting out on the freeway for several hours at a time, the Honda CRF300L Rally has more stability and feels planted. The same potholed and washboard roads I had ridden with the stock shock smoothed out, giving me more control and acceleration on uphill washboard. Over rough, rocky terrain, the rear end stayed behind me and didn’t deflect up or sideways, making for a more controlled off-road experience.
Replacing the shock was a necessity for me. It was my first upgrade for a reason. I couldn’t get on or off the bike without fear of springing over the far side or springing over the kickstand. A riding buddy suggested I race the spring rebound when mounting or dismounting. While that worked, it’s not how I enjoy my motorcycling experience.
The YSS Suspension MG456 shock was my first upgrade and made a massive quality of (riding) life improvement on the Ultimate Motorcycling Honda CRF300L Rally. As EPM Performance expected, the high-performance shock stabilized the bike on the freeway, greatly enhanced the control in rocky terrain, and made getting mounting and dismounting a normal motorcycling experience.
I have the YSS Front Fork upgrade, but haven’t installed it yet. The rear YSS MG456 has made a significant improvement in rideability, so I will be finding a shop to do the fork upgrade this winter. In the meantime, watch for some updates from SRC Moto of Pendleton, Oregon. The Ultimate Motorcycling Honda CRF300L Rally is coming together.
