DTX 360 rear shock absorbers

[Foorneri]

Hello everyone,
I'll start by apologizing if my English isn't correct but it's not my language (thanks google translate).
Not long ago, I bought a used DTX 360 300 and I have to say that it's fine.... apart from the rear shock absorbers!
Maybe it's because I've been riding motorcycle for years but..... even small bumps are felt a lot on the back.
So, I ask those who have a DTX 360 and have the same "back feeling" as me, which shock absorbers they recommend to mount to compensate for the hardness (in my opinion of hydraulics not spring).
For a question of price, I excluded Ohlins and similar and I've seen that many mount YSS.
I read the comments in a "well-known" online sales portal (I don't know if I can say the name) that some have mounted the YSS TK302-400T-04AL-X (the ones with the separate tank) and for the most part they seem positive and they say they have solved the problem (even if, as always happens, there are negative reviews).
What do you recommend?
Thanks

[Stig / Major Tom]

Welcome to the forum Foorneri!

I have not owned enough scooters to disprove a comment which I read years ago, made by a fellow who builds and races scooters. This was the era where the engine, transmission and rear wheel were connected as a unit, and there was very little room for suspension travel.
He offered: "No scooter is ever going to ride as well as a motorcycle."

He said that there were two schools of thought after buying and fitting expensive rear shocks:

1) "I feel no significant difference!"

2) ".....after this effort and expense - Of course this is a better ride!"

I think one would have to have two scooters to test for any real improvements in the marginal ride most scooters give.

just my 2 centimes

Stig

[Foorneri]

Hi Stig,
you are absolutely right. I know that with little excursion, you can't do much more. Somehow, however, I have to (hopefully) find something more "comfortable" for my back....

[Neil955i]

Hi there I have successfully fitted YSS shocks to 2 of my scooters a Honda PCX125 and an X-Town 300 with a noticeable if small improvement. In both cases the ride height was improved and the “jarring” to my spine was lessened.

I currently own a DTX 360 as well and would be interested to hear of your experience if you do fit them before I go to the expense myself!

[randyo]

I put a YSS on my K-Pipe, a substantial improvement from stock, but no comparison to the WP that I put on my V-Strom
The YSS was relatively inexpensive compared to an Ohlins or WP

[Foorneri]

Hi Neil,
ok, when I do the update I'll be a "Tester"  and let you know.

[Neil955i]

Hi Neil,
ok, when I do the update I'll be a "Tester"  and let you know.

That would be appreciated Foorneri, thanks.
Edit: BTW, just looked again at the published specs for the DTX320 and it states "Rear Suspension   Double Swing with 5-Steps", which to me, suggests there may be some sort of preload adjustment - full disclosure, I've never looked!  BUT, I will now, before shelling out any $£!

Further Edit - Yes it is adjustable for preload (User Guide 3.15) so I will now have a fiddle!

[Foorneri]

Hi Neil,
sorry for the delay  but I don't know how to activate notifications for new messages.
Yes I knew about the preload.
In my case (I weigh about 80 kg dressed) position 3 is slightly more comfortable but, sitting on the scooter, the spring is too compressed and, in case of a pothole, it goes to the bottom of the stroke.
In the end I had to adjust the preload to 5 also because sometimes I load a passenger (consider that the "rider sag" should be between 25 and 35 mm). Unfortunately now I have physical problems that have "blocked" me but I will not give up the idea of ??replacing the shock absorbers (sooner or later...)

[Neil955i]

No rush Fooneri, in the meantime I may make some tentative enquiries of my local suspension specialist.

[Foorneri]

No rush Fooneri, in the meantime I may make some tentative enquiries of my local suspension specialist.

Great idea.
I hope you are luckier: when I asked for information on YSS they didn't think much of me.....
If you want (and if the suspension specialist wants to explain), ask him if the difference in the K values of the springs (I'm attaching an image that explains the values) is large or barely detectable in practice.
I would be oriented towards two models of YSS shock absorbers:
- TE302-400T-04AL (hole spacing 400 mm - 10 mm more should not cause problems with the trail) with a 46-13-18-260 spring
- TE302-390T-05-X (hole spacing 390 mm - which would be the correct value) with a 46-10-15-240 spring (softer spring).

Thanks

[Foorneri]

Hi everyone,
I finally made up my mind and installed YSS shock absorbers with the same wheelbase (390 mm) as the originals (model TE302-390T-05-X): what changed?
Practically nothing... 
The shock absorbers work well and, in certain situations, even slightly better, but it's a minor thing.
The stiffness in the rear is probably caused by other factors (but I won't go into it).
Positive aspects:
- preload adjustment with the threaded ring: allows for more precise sag adjustment;
- spring distance: in the unfortunate event of a deep pothole that causes the shock absorbers to "pack," with the YSS shock absorbers, the bump stopper is hit first rather than the springs as happens with the original shock absorbers (which can cause back pain).
I forgot: the tightening torque of the original ones (iron) is 40 Nm. Since the lower fork of the YSS shock absorbers is made of aluminum, I preferred to be cautious and reduce the torque by about 30% (I tightened them to 30 Nm) and I had no problems.

[Neil955i]

Thanks for the update Foorneri, as you may have read elsewhere (link: https://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=34955.0) I have also taken the plunge and gone the YSS route with similar findings to yours!  Did you also notice a ride height difference?  Not sure how much the rear height has increased, but suspect 10-15mm?

Still riding on standard settings, but as I gain more miles / experience I may be tempted to have a "fiddle"!

[Foorneri]

Hi Neil,
I don't know why, even though I check the box "notify me reply", I don't receive anything... (I think I'm doing something wrong, maybe it's just old age  ).
Anyway, no, I haven't noticed any differences in ride height (the shock absorber center distance is the same as the originals). With the help of a friend, I adjusted the sag (it should be about 30% of the effective travel, so the shock absorbers should be lowering by about 30 mm) and, after this adjustment, I noticed better handling even at very low speeds (I no longer have to "row" with my arms to maintain a straight line). So, the rear is probably a little less compressed (higher), thus altering the trail and agility. Anyway, rear stiffness aside  , I'm very satisfied with the scooter, especially the riding position (compared to other scooters).

[Neil955i]

Agree 100% Foorneri, it's probably the best scooter I've ever ridden too.  I've only done 7,500 miles on mine, but I can't really pick fault with anything.  I missed my ambient temperature gauge from it's X-Town 300 predecessor, but I found a combined temperature / humidity gauge on Amazon which I've been using successfully for 12 months now.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CN1RVGHP?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

[Foorneri]

Hi Neil, no way: I didn't receive any notifications this time either...
Anyway, true, also to me miss not having a temperature gauge (I'll study something too.... sooner or later).
Who knows, maybe one day they'll implement it, add double crown forks and a rear monoshock