CT125 - Hunter Cub - YSS Hybrid Gas Shock Comments...

[Kuro Neko]

Advertised as YSS hybrid rear shock absorber, made to suit the Hunter Cub series.

● Features a newly developed twin-tube system with nitrogen gas and oil.
● Provides a stable and smooth ride.
● The upper mounting section is CNC machined and the lower section is made of steel.
● Features a dial mechanism that allows for hand-turned preload adjustment.
● Allows for 7-stage preload adjustment.
● They're made well, at least as I can see from their outside.
● Two 'YSS' stickers and preload adjustment tool included, though a stout plus driver suits fine to adjust as well.
● Just over ¥11,000 delivered.



It's an easy one hour job to fit, and you need to remove both air-intake snorkel and muffler to allow clear access to top mounting bolts.

Recognizing the Hunter Cub doesn't have a very sophisticated suspension configuration, there's only so much expectation as to the result. However, the change to these YSS resulted in a measurably smoother ride.
As well as for low-speed trail work, where the attack curve of a sharp bump is obviously smoothed, and rounded out.
At speed too, pavement bumps that previously jolted me, are now a slightly more leisurely float.
Noting perhaps, an initial short ride suggested I could not feel any difference and it was only when I went on a longer ride and went over some familiar bumps and other rough patches, that I noticed a real difference.

I am comparing both OEM and YSS set on their softest spring preload setting.



The only point to note perhaps is the recommended tightening sequence for reinstalling the muffler bolts - as above - 1, 2, 3, then 4.



I chose the black springs, instead of lairy red, and installed the 'YSS' label on the inside to tone down the modded look.
For the price, its an easy recommendation...

 

[tumblingdice54]

Glad to hear that they make a good difference! Thanks for the install tips. Mine should be here soon.

 

[mememe]

How do you like them? I got the Outex front stem stabilizer too and it feels like a very solid bike after. Improving the rear suspension show how weak my front suspension is. I live in California where I am cruising at 45-60mph often and stability at high speeds both in a straight line and turning is crucial.

 

[tumblingdice54]

UPDATE - The YSS shocks arrived 9 days after ordering. Canada customs charged me only $8 tax on the $190 Cdn order. DHL charged a $20 processing fee. Installing them was interesting. The left side snorkel has to come off which went not badly except it is hooked on to the bottom of the back rack in a funny place that is hard to get at. It works but it took 20 mins. Left shock then went on easily. The right side is completely different. I attempted to take the exhaust off which is a royal pain at the bottom of the engine cylinder and in the middle bolt 2/3rds of the way up the pipe. The front of the pipe could not be gotten out no matter what I tried so I left it on. The side panel cover sticks up too far to get a socket on it so you have to take two screws off the bottom of the side panel and then pry it off as best you can. Then you can get the 12 mm socket on it to take it off. The top bolt which attaches both the exhaust and the shock does not need to come completely off. If you take off the 12 mm cap off the end and then use a wrench on the nut by the shock you can get it to loosen enough to let the shock slide out without taking the exhaust completely off. Then it was just a matter of installing the YSS shock and putting the bolts back on.
I set the shocks at setting '4' on the range of '7' adjustments available and went for a ride on a road that normally causes me back and neck pain. They were much improved and considerably better, and a big improvement over stock. I will get out on a trail this weekend to continue to assess and appreciate the difference.
CONCLUSION - The YSS nitrogen gas and oil shocks are indeed an economical buy and are a big improvement over the 1930's technology shocks Honda puts on this 2025 machine. If you have bad roads and trails where you live then I highly recommend them. Beezdeals from Thailand on eBay are easy to deal with and respond to emails within 30 mins. The fact they pay for international air shipping is extraordinary. Webike wanted $90 shipping for the exact same shocks! I wholeheartedly recommend them to Trail 125 riders.