SRV-250S rear shocks

[RonnieG]

Hi guys, I have a Yamaha SRV-250S (looks pretty much like the one in the picture below)


The rear twin shocks have been leaking and I need to replace them to get a WoF. The problem is the shocks that come stock on this edition of the bike are these weird little piggyback numbers, a little different to the ones on the standard SRV250.



And Red baron quoted me $1200 a pair (!) for replacements from YSS. That's a good fraction of the resale value of the bike, so I'm looking for a cheaper option. Can I just replace them with shocks from the more standard SRV250 or the SRV250 Renaissa (below, which looks like a pretty identical frame)? Because those are only ~$300 a pair.



It's hard to find details on the SRV250-S online, seems like it was mostly just released in Japan and ended up in NZ and Aus from there, never made it to the states.

[Robert Taylor]

Have a very very close look at the shafts to see if there are any vertical wear grooves, wear through the chrome to a base ''bronzy '' layer or fine rust pit marks. Any of those and they certainly are throwaway. If the shafts are in fact okay then they are likely rebuildbale. Dont ask for a price as that can only be determined by inspection and then costing. Anyone who will give you a price sight unseen is being totally disingenuous. In this game ( like others ) there are those that will do a cheap but nasty job and those of us that refuse to do anything but a correct job.

These shocks are built by a Yamaha owned company called Soqi, now rebranded HS. They are loosely made to look like an Ohlins but are much more basic in respect of material quality, longevity and function.

At $1200 per pair that is higher than base level Ohlins twin shock price. Id be asking if the shocks quoted are totally specific to the model? If they arent then how is there anyway of knowing that the shocks will work to a decent standard if you dont know the leverage that is being applied to them, affecting spring rate selection ( assuming there is a choice ) But even more importantly will they damp ok? Thats very dependent on the motion ratio that the mounting geometry applies to them. It is not just a matter of finding shocks that will fit, they also have to actually work properly

[Robert Taylor]

Hi guys, I have a Yamaha SRV-250S (looks pretty much like the one in the picture below)


The rear twin shocks have been leaking and I need to replace them to get a WoF. The problem is the shocks that come stock on this edition of the bike are these weird little piggyback numbers, a little different to the ones on the standard SRV250.



And Red baron quoted me $1200 a pair (!) for replacements from YSS. That's a good fraction of the resale value of the bike, so I'm looking for a cheaper option. Can I just replace them with shocks from the more standard SRV250 or the SRV250 Renaissa (below, which looks like a pretty identical frame)? Because those are only ~$300 a pair.



It's hard to find details on the SRV250-S online, seems like it was mostly just released in Japan and ended up in NZ and Aus from there, never made it to the states.

Yes you can use the shocks from the other SRV variations but check the triangulation and dimensions from swingarm pivot point to upper and lower shock mounts are all the same. As with anything secondhand it can be akin to Russian roulette, so get a written undertaking from the seller that you will get a full refund ( excepting freight recoveries ) if the shocks are not as they were represented to be and / or didnt damp properly when fitted

[RonnieG]

Have a very very close look at the shafts to see if there are any vertical wear grooves, wear through the chrome to a base ''bronzy '' layer or fine rust pit marks. Any of those and they certainly are throwaway. If the shafts are in fact okay then they are likely rebuildbale.

Thanks, I forgot to mention in my original post that yes there is some fine pitting in the chrome. I got Chris from S-Tech to have a look at them and he said they were binworthy based on the state of the shafts.

Who should I ask if the shocks are totally model specific? When I asked YSS if there was a "similar but less expensive" alternative, they told me "If you're okay with silver instead of gold we can make you a pair for $1000"

I'll have a look and see if I can find some specs of the other similar-looking frames like the renaissa, and I'll measure the bike in my garage. Am I right in thinking that the geometry of the swingarm pivot, shock mounts, and rear axle is the same, along with a fairly similar bike weight, then I should be okay to use shocks from that other model?

[Robert Taylor]

Thanks, I forgot to mention in my original post that yes there is some fine pitting in the chrome. I got Chris from S-Tech to have a look at them and he said they were binworthy based on the state of the shafts.

Who should I ask if the shocks are totally model specific? When I asked YSS if there was a "similar but less expensive" alternative, they told me "If you're okay with silver instead of gold we can make you a pair for $1000"

I'll have a look and see if I can find some specs of the other similar-looking frames like the renaissa, and I'll measure the bike in my garage. Am I right in thinking that the geometry of the swingarm pivot, shock mounts, and rear axle is the same, along with a fairly similar bike weight, then I should be okay to use shocks from that other model?

To your 3rd paragraph yes. The motion ratois will match and I cannot imagine that fitted spring rates would vary between them, or not much. If you find a set take a VERY close inspection of the shafts in good light. The beginnings of rust pit marks can be quite imperceptible