Inside Secrets: KYB SSS Suspension

Let's take a look inside the often embellished KYB SSS suspension and what makes it tick

Check out our other videos on showa, TM racing, and WP suspension to compare them!

[mikeolson]

You gave a great explanation on the KYB SSS Fork, and Rear Shock.i had one of the well know suspension companies Give one of my son's 250f Yammie a revalve, respring and different link and I noticed that they changed a few parts in the HS Comp adj assy and it seems to work a lot better and actually makes a difference when you do a small adjustment, now I know why.Thanks for the awesome video and keep up the good work.

[craighills]

Great works as usual, you got my lazy brain thinking. I once pulled down a set SHOWA mid 90s CR 250 forks, to change the fork leak. Not knowing anything. This info helps the average person like myself . Thanks

[jasonweatherford]

You do suspension work also? Sweet. I found my new best friend.

[EnglertRacing]

Derick,
the intent of using this type of high speed loader is to mimic changing the diameter of the clamp shim, this adjuster will create a change in hsc slope as the added stiffness will be biased towards high shaft speeds, where as using a high speed loader that contacts the OD of the face shim offsets the curve rather than changing its slope as preloading the face shims creates a change to damping from low shaft speed to high shaft speed. It is true that the actual change to the curve is likely to be greater with the HSC adjuster that contacts the face shim, especially if the spring rates are similar.

[halvorsonmx]

How in the world did you learn all of this stuff? I would genuinely love to learn more about this stuff. I've done race tech before and I thought that because the pistons were so open and non restricted that put more effect on the shim stack which created a wider range of valving options but I suppose if the velocity was never high enough for the stock piston to actually restrict the flow then it would be total bs. These vids are amazing. Glad i found your channel.

[TheRealRobHeagle]

Yeah, I revalved mine and drilled out the ports on the compression adjuster for more flow similar to the yamaha or even WP. The Sherco KYB has very small holes. I expected i might upgrade the adjuster down the road to something with better functionality.

[chrisgall]

The reb dampening creates about 2-3 times more force than the comp not the other way. The HS adjuster does do as say's but very little and moves independently of the low speed adjuster. If you seat the needle with the LS clicker why can you still turn in the HS adjuster?

[nuthintoprove]

The low speed valves are 2mm larger on the Gold Valve, So you aren't just paying for a proprietary valve stack. This does add the the plushness without sacrificing G-out or bottom resistance.

[MichaelAbramo]

What do you mean that the piston plays no role in damping? It's my understanding the the oil does need to pass through the ports and if the ports are large (as shown) oil will freely pass through and will only be restricted by the stack. However, if the ports are tiny, say 1mm in diameter, the fork will hydrolock at high speed movement of the forks.

For example, the XR650R has tiny ports (~1.6mm) that need to be drilled out or you will never be able to valve for sharp impacts. The oil has nowhere to go.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[TheRealRobHeagle]

Great job explaining the components of the KYB suspension. I was surprised to find the KYB shock on my Sherco 250SE-R Factory doesn't have a spring inside the high speed compression adjuster. Is there an aftermarket adjuster you would recommend for the KYB that has a functional high and low speed adjuster for woods/hard enduro style riding?

[ChookChasersMX]

I think you better pull a few shock low speed clickers fully apart! I mean unscrew the blue anodised section of the high speed adjuster out of the compression adjuster ring nut assembly.
You’ll find that the slow speed clicker needle bottoms in the blue section and not the port on the high speed clamp post. The clamp post has an oring on it…so where is the oil going to flow??
There is a small hole from inside to the outside of the blue section of the low speed clicker that allows the fluid to flow through.
The high speed adjuster does not change the slow speed needle position!
The high speed collar works as others have stated below.

[ktkace]

SHOCKING!!! not.
nice vid bro! TU + Subbed

[SpeedDemonExpress]

I would guess that WP shock would also bring in and out the low speed needle when adjusting the high speed as well?

[crashed]

You mentioned that the piston orifice(s) play no role regarding damping. Why is this? Are you saying that the piston speeds don't get high enough for this to matter?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[vinceseyb]

I like what you're trying to do in your videos, I too think the industry is full of a substantial amount of BS. I would say theres a couple of important aspects you didn't really touch on.

[matt]

Gday Derek from Australia. Have you ever used/tried the Enzo Comp adjuster in the KYB shock say for a 2025 Yz450f ? What are your thoughts or positives/ negatives? I’ve got one here to test against the stock one that’s been valves for Professional MX. I don’t think my stock adjuster has had that collar mod yet to make the high speed functional. Thanks Matt

[randytidwell]

on the high speed shock adjuster seems like you said by turning it in or out you are not changing anything. Does it not make the rear of the bike operate high or lower into the stroke and it seems to really make a difference off road on roots and chop. Can you clear this up some. Great videos.

[Twisted]

This seems like an absolute ball ache to do but I can't keep riding my 2022 WR450 the way it is. After 6 hours of trail riding I literally have to sleep on my back for 2 days because I'm that sore.

[smauller]

You know if there’s any differences internally on how the forks are done on the 2024s? Besides valving and spring rates

[eastwood]

Maybe you can answer this question. I have Showa twin chambers and the pressure spring is loose in the cartridge because of the length. Is that normal with Showa TC? I noticed on your KYB, your pressure spring in the cartridge seems to have some type of preload Or in other words, it just doesn’t move around freely