Spears Racing has a Rear Shock w/ Remote Res available

5860 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Yamfanr3, Aug 6, 2017

R0b0tN1nja_BKNY

Discussion Starter · Sep 29, 2015 (Edited)

I put a Progressive (IIRC) Rear Shock with Remote Reservoir on my old 92 Yamaha FZR600 which I had from 1995-2005. It was a night and day difference. Granted, the stock rear shock isn't bad at all but it only has preload adjustments.

The Ohlins shock is obviously the gold standard as Ohlins are considered "the best" but hey, it doesn't hurt to have viable and good alternate parts. The Ohlins YA467 Rear Shock is mainly availble overseas it seems but I have seem it sporadically for sale here in the states. Saw a used one on Ebay for $600 on a $1000 shock. I wouldve snatch it up in a heartbeat but it was already sold. ****!

Anyway, I am considering the Spears Racing one for $899. The blue coil will go well with the blue R3 methinks.

Anyone get a Spears rear shock yet? If I get one, I'll surely post a review. Debating a combo purchase of rear sets, PCV, air filter, and full exhaust or Rear shock ATM...

Here is the shock

Link to Spears Enterprises parts

@FengShui also posted a thread on Spears Racing parts who also happen to be an R3 Forums vendor.

*Disclaimer: I am not a Spear Racing employee, subcontractor, social media guru, or affiliated with Spears racing in any way. I am a motorcycle enthusiast who loves to mod bikes and find aftermarket parts to be porn.

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Stirz

· #2 · Sep 29, 2015

Jason Madama is running one of Spears' shocks - he doesn't seem to have any problem going quick and cornering low.....

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R0b0tN1nja_BKNY

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 29, 2015

Stirz said:
Jason Madama is running one of Spears' shocks - he doesn't seem to have any problem going quick and cornering low.....

That's good info Lemmy. I will definitely pull the trigger on the Spears. It looks the part and if it performs then it's a definite alternate since you'd save a couple of hundred against the Ohlin's shock premium at $1000+.

Capitalview

· #4 · Sep 30, 2015

I wouldn't say the Ohlins is the gold standard for small displacement street bikes. Ohlins makes them to the price point of the bike. I would take a JRi, Penske, or YSS over an Ohlins any day for small displacement bike.

Where as Penske uses the same internal components on their shocks, depending on which line you buy, 8983, 8987, etc... They just change the mounting hardware and shock travel based on the bike it will be on. You can upgrade valving on any of their shocks to their AMA spec also.

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Contrails

· #5 · Sep 30, 2015

I also have this shock and it works great so far. See my track bike build thread for more goodies.

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R0b0tN1nja_BKNY

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 30, 2015

Capitalview said:
I wouldn't say the Ohlins is the gold standard for small displacement street bikes. Ohlins makes them to the price point of the bike. I would take a JRi, Penske, or YSS over an Ohlins any day for small displacement bike.

Where as Penske uses the same internal components on their shocks, depending on which line you buy, 8983, 8987, etc... They just change the mounting hardware and shock travel based on the bike it will be on. You can upgrade valving on any of their shocks to their AMA spec also.

I use the phrase lightly. Like how people say "Brembo makes the best brakes. Pirelli makes the best tires." They're usually a brand considered the standard whether true or not, or often it is the case that is it one of the best out there but used in that context.

Contrails said:
I also have this shock and it works great so far. See my track bike build thread for more goodies.

Awesome. I am looking at the Spears or maybe the YSS. Definitely going to scope out your build thread.

pattonme

· #7 · Sep 30, 2015

Looks like standard Penske components to me. The internals is what really matters. jRI is similarly a massaged Penske AFAIK.

Matthew Crowe

· #8 · Sep 30, 2015

Stirz said:
Jason Madama is running one of Spears' shocks - he doesn't seem to have any problem going quick and cornering low.....

IMO the Spears shock is the way to go. The Hammer #213 is running it and has been setting new track records with it. The backing of the product is the best. You install and have a question, you can call Spears Enterprises and not get a tech. You will actually get Mr. Spears. To me, that is a huge selling point!

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HardRacing

· #9 · Oct 9, 2015

pattonme said:
Looks like standard Penske components to me. The internals is what really matters. jRI is similarly a massaged Penske AFAIK.

.

It's actually a JRI Shock they are selling.

We've sold a bunch of them, excellent feedback.

We run it on our own personal R3....... Huge improvement over stock.

.

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SpearsRacing

· #10 · Feb 4, 2016

HardRacing said:
.

It's actually a JRI Shock they are selling.

We've sold a bunch of them, excellent feedback.

We run it on our own personal R3....... Huge improvement over stock.

.

Speaking with no knowledge makes you look good to yourself

The Spears Shock is made for us by JRI, it is not the same as the standard JRI...It has been changed inside.

So now you have Knowledge that is Correct!!!

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HardRacing

· #11 · Feb 4, 2016 (Edited)

SpearsRacing said:
Speaking with no knowledge makes you look good to yourself

The Spears Shock is made for us by JRI, it is not the same as the standard JRI...It has been changed inside.

So now you have Knowledge that is Correct!!!

.

Yes, we know.

Tige @ JRI told us the tiny little changes made.

That doesn't change the fact......... It's Still a JRI Shock.

BTW......

Where did you see in our post we said the words.. "It's a Standard JRI Shock .." ??

.

.

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FangShui

· #12 · Feb 5, 2016

SpearsRacing said:
Speaking with no knowledge makes you look good to yourself

The Spears Shock is made for us by JRI, it is not the same as the standard JRI...It has been changed inside.

So now you have Knowledge that is Correct!!!

LOL :| Passive Aggressive much?

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SpearsRacing

· #13 · Feb 5, 2016

HardRacing said:
.

Yes, we know.

Tige @ JRI told us the tiny little changes made.

That doesn't change the fact......... It's Still a JRI Shock.

BTW......

Where did you see in our post we said the words.. "It's a Standard JRI Shock .." ??

.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4_MKfB6qds

.

Stand corrected....on the play of words, sorry...... but if its an off the shelf JRI, I just used the word Standard....So off the shelf would of been better choice of words..

FangShui

· #14 · Feb 6, 2016

How about:

“Yes, it is a JRI shock but the internals have been configured to our specifications in order to provide optimum suspension performance and chassis dynamics for the YZF-R3".

Cheers all!

Reactions: 1

HardRacing

· #15 · Feb 6, 2016

FangShui said:
How about:

“Yes, it is a JRI shock but the internals have been configured to our specifications in order to provide optimum suspension performance and chassis dynamics for the YZF-R3".

Cheers all!

.

Most all reputable suspension companies these days will modify/tweak/custom setup a shock they sell, before shipping it to the customer.

.

Mase

· #16 · Feb 6, 2016

HardRacing said:
.

Most all reputable suspension companies these days will modify/tweak/custom setup a shock they sell, before shipping it to the customer.

Could you clarify on what a company typically does when they "modify/tweak/custom" a rear shock? What exactly can be tweaked for an individual customer? Would these companies actually custom valve for rebound and compression separately for each customer? Or do companies normally just have their own preset valving specs, and then use the regular external adjustment knobs to critically dampen the particular spring used? I assume a custom spring rate would be a given. How fine of an increment can a spring rate be customized? Stroke? Shock body length? Etc..

Thanks. I just come from a car world where custom valving, or custom anything for that matter other than spring rate is big bucks. It's pretty awesome that for bikes you can get customization included with the price of the shock.

Upgrading my forks and shock is definitely on the list of things to do, especially for my Ninja which is way too stiff for me.

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pattonme

· #17 · Feb 6, 2016

I'll let Hard Racing provide the proof to back his assertions, but as a rule Ohlins does not tweak the internals but just puts on a different spring unless (and even then) the spring is WAY off from baseline. Eg. if 600in/lb is the baseline they won't re-valve for 550-650 but at 700+in/lb your supplier might consider it.

JRi or Traxxion Dynamics are more inclined to tweak the shim stack for every unit since they build them to order instead of mass.

Ohlins, Matris or Andreani forks are also made in mass and I am not aware of any customization done except putting the appropriate set of springs in the box. When I build a set of forks (even when derived from aforementioned products) I change shims based on every 0.05kg/mm difference in spring rate or every 30'ish pounds in combined rider+vehicle weight. That's what you pay me for. The same degree of customization is available or standard from guys like Spears, Traxxion, or your local tuner.

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HardRacing

· #18 · Feb 6, 2016 (Edited)

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Geessh... this thread has gotten seriously side tracked.

Starting to feel like "...everyone drop their pants and to see who's got the biggest... "

Not sure how Ohlins has anything to do with this JRI Shock thread ....... But, NO Pattonme, that is not correct.

Any dealer can call Ohlins and order a specific shock or fork, or cartridge kit, and have it revalved with a specific valve changes to their spec....... before Ohlins ships it to them.

Yes, if your a small dealer who doesn't sell much Ohlins there is probably some additional labor cost, but it gets done all the time, if the dealer requests it.
That is a Fact.

Now, if a dealer calls and orders 20 Specific shocks for stock............. Then of course they would not make any additional modifications to a shock, or forks, over and beyond as they don't know who the end user will be.

That is left to the retailer or suspension center to do.

FWIW, Ohlins uses N/mm spring rates...... not lb/inch.

.

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R0b0tN1nja_BKNY

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 7, 2016

HardRacing said:
.

Geessh... this thread has gotten seriously side tracked.

Starting to feel like "...everyone drop their pants and to see who's got the biggest... "

Not sure how Ohlins has anything to do with this JRI Shock thread ....... But, NO Pattonme, that is not correct.

Any dealer can call Ohlins and order a specific shock or fork, or cartridge kit, and have it revalved with a specific valve changes to their spec....... before Ohlins ships it to them.

Yes, if your a small dealer who doesn't sell much Ohlins there is probably some additional labor cost, but it gets done all the time, if the dealer requests it.
That is a Fact.

Now, if a dealer calls and orders 20 Specific shocks for stock............. Then of course they would not make any additional modifications to a shock, or forks, over and beyond as they don't know who the end user will be.

That is left to the retailer or suspension center to do.

FWIW, Ohlins uses N/m spring rates...... not lb/inch.

.

Ah, but it is so productive. We're learning from it, and as a customer of Hard and Spears, I think it is fruitful. You two are the two primary suspension resellers for us as you carry JRI, Andreani, etc and not just vanilla components.

Matt from ForksByMatt and Kojiiro reinforced my interest in suspension. All too often we get caught up in aestheitcs and comfort like grips and rearsets to performance mods like full exhaust and fuel injection controllers without much thought to improving braking or the suspension, which are such critical systems. They should be the first modifications done on a bike IMAO.

Kojiiro recommended THe Suspension Bible by Paul Thede but I had already been reading the suspension section on Sports Rider by Thede which contains snippets of said book. It has a great suspension tuning section and articles on suspension theory, technologies, lingo, etc. It is amazing how much physics, math, technology are incorporated in motorcycle suspensions. When I started riding as a youngster in the mid 90's my first bike was a Honda VTR 250 Interceptor, which was one of the grand-daddy's of the current lightweight/middleweight sport bike class. Anyway, afterwards I bought a 92 Yamaha FZR600 in 95 when i joined the Army and installed a Progressive shock with remote reservoir, and that simple mod was like night and day and opened my eyes into the importance of suspension and tuning.

I am not privy to all of the developments in suspension and motorcycle rider as I am just a rider and beginner self-taught mechanic. I am not in the bike business, don't race professionally, etc, but the article stated suspension technology in just the past decade has made leaps and bounds to the point where they said current stock bikes have advanced to yesterday's race bikes almost. I think it's amazing that it is advancing at such an exponential rate. So while I have ranted, I think any discussion and promotion of suspension is a good thing. All too often, casual and weekend warriors overlook the suspension, but that's just my opinion and I could be wrong.

Oh here is Sport Rider's Suspension Guide->Good Reading

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Yamfanr3

· #20 · Aug 6, 2017

I chose to go with the Spears Racing Double Adjustable shock. I felt it would be a good idea to purchase a suspension product from a local vendor and it proved to be a good idea in the end. Gregg helped me with getting the shock set up from beginning to end and was completely accommodating with any issues I had with the shock. Aside from the product being outstanding, he knows the shock inside and out. I would have to say the support that I get with the shock makes it an incredible deal.

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