Bear Gen 6 longboard trucks review

The Bear Gen 6 longboard trucks have turned out to be one of the best longboard trucks I've ever skated. They feel amazing.
Check out the write-up linked for an in-depth review of the Bear Gen 6 -
downhill254.com/bear-gen-6-tr...
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0:00 - Intro
0:18 - Riding footage
1:35 - Bear gen 5 longboard trucks
2:23 - Bear Gen 6 review
5:00 - What I didn't like
5:54 - Check out the writeup!
6:10 - Patron thanks, conclusion
6:33 - Outro riding footage
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[@brandonvalverde4284]

Thanks for putting all this together for us. Great info!

[@eliaslejeune1472]

The video and the article was perfection. Thank you.

[@chaoticdestruction87]

Been waiting on this review!

[@williamfournier3054]

Thanks for the review.

[@evanbrum6357]

I've been doing a lot of research on the Gen 6's and was pretty undecided until i saw your video! Its funny how little actual RIDING there is in most longboard gear reviews. Yours stands out for that.

[@eBoard3R]

*Thanks for another great review!* I love the Caliber II and have been curious about Bear trucks, this new gen looks very interestin! 🤙🏼⚡⚡🤙🏼

[@downhill254skate]

this new gen is amazing!

[@harrisonmiles9507]

I was in the market for a set of trucks for my LY ramathorn hollowtech previously having 50 degree which were too unstable for how fast I was sliding and it was a big back and forth between caliber and Paris with liking carvyness of paris but the stability of caliber which you said the bear gen 6 has these to characteristics so i went with bears and I've been skating them for the last 2 months and they are AWESOME, I've gone 60kph with 93/97a feel so stable but can carve like paris and have a very predictable slide, only issue is 95a venom plug barrel are sold out everywhere in Australia, your reviews are awesome keep up the good work especially your written reports they have so much detail

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

Great vlog! I still prefer my raked Caliber IIIs but I would say Bear Gen 6 over Paris V3 or any other cast RKP truck all day. Keep up the good work! 🛹

[@DaddyRobotX15]

dope.🤙🏻💛 I did not sand my plug HPF barrel step flush : maybe that's why I was underwhelmed by my 50/40 130mm set. Great video , as usual! 🔥

[@downhill254skate]

do they feel a bit better now?

[@garretteverett2613]

Now I'm extra-stoked to ride mine for the first time. I was hoping to get something comparable to my Paris V1s with a bit tighter control, and they seem to tick all my boxes for usage - but I guess that's what happens when you tick all the boxes anyway. It looks like they've put a lot of thought into the geometry of it all, and it's really cool how you can pull all of those engineering details out just through riding them. Great review. I did put mine on a setup, and after disassembling and reassembling them and then doing balance drills indoors I found that they did have a strange clicking sound, which might have been something not seated properly (by me) but that did go away after a while. They do feel nice and beefy, and the bushings are perfect for me as I'm a heavier rider at just under 200 lbs but like to ride loose. I've had a hell of a time finding hard bushings in this pandemic while mediums abound, so it's nice to be able to start at hard and upgrade (downgrade?) to softer stuff. Yes, she did say that. The paint, as seems to be the thing, does get damaged pretty easily - which is a shame, because they're beautiful. Now I just need the snow to melt.

[@launchpadmcquack98]

The clicking sound is likely one of you're bushings coming unseated as you lean.

[@dead7781]

Yesssss!!!!! Finally!

[@dead7781]

I have them on my switchblade. The board itself is amazing. The trucks are amazing. But together... 👌

[@fuckmyego]

time to cop

[@yumbaconstrips]

I recently got these and I have to agree! they feel livelier than my caliber trucks, paris are now my least favorite, i still enjoy my caliber trucks but these are just a fun truck to ride! I'll have to try them on my dancing board to get a better feel for the stability that you mentioned.

[@Rillaaa993]

how are they downhill hill?

[@rollanb]

How do they feel on your dancing board? How much do they weigh compared to your calibers?

[@tomahawkrocker3586]

For Freeride or Fast Freeride you recommended more the 130mm or 155mm with bases 40?

[@Tecom38415]

Double barrel bushings?

[@jujhos]

I was waiting for this review for so long! great as always. I do have a question tho, I'm a heavy rider and just learning how to slide in my setup (Magneto board and trucks 50°, EZ hawgs wheels.), and I would like to do an upgrade, which trucks do you think are better suited for a begginer? Caliber 3's or Bear Gen 6's?

[@downhill254skate]

You can't go wrong with either, just pick th eone that has a nice riding feel. I haev to say pick the bear gen 6 trucks, they have the 30* baseplate which is amazing for stability

[@TF2ReplayMaker]

Hey man, may I please know which plug barrel bushings you recommend without needing to sand them down/modify to fit into the bushing seat? Am looking to do mostly long-distance cruising and carving (maybe a little beginner downhill here and there) and was wondering which bushings work with the Bear Gen 6s best

[@samluk1147]

Thank you for your amazing video! How do these compare to Randals? I have the R-ii and wondering if i should try these Bears!

[@downhill254skate]

Never skated randals, but these feel good :)

[@brunoleao8879]

I would like to seem them on LDP. Thnxz. Best from Brazil

[@steviecupcakes]

Hello, I have a drop cat 33 with the gen 6 and I'm in the market for softer bushings. I see from the drop cat review that you were running Bones hardcore bushings all around. Is this still something you would recommend or would I be better off getting Venom plug barrels and sanding them down to the correct height? I also see from another comment in this video that the cones that come stock roadside are taller than standard bushings but not as tall as "tall" bushings. I'm thinking of getting 88A Bones hardcore barrels roadside and 83A Riptide WFB tall cones boardside sanded down to size. This setup would be for cruising and carving, I don't really go fast or do downhill

[@downhill254skate]

If it's just cruising and carving, you can use whatever. It's isn't 100% necessary to use a plug barrel. But yeah teh Bones hardcores feel amazing and are a solid choice

[@alexmc69]

I use Venom 85a HPF plug barrels boardside with my Bears but found standard height barrels and cones too short for the longish kingpin, which lead to the washer scratching the hanger just above the bushing seat. Tall barrels or cones fit perfectly roadside and I feel I get a deeper lean. The stock Bear roadside bushing is a cone between standard and tall in height and a little fatter. What aftermarket bushings do you use roadside?

[@downhill254skate]

yeah thats true, they are a bit short. I noticed some rubbing on my truck on the roadside side with a cupped washer. It only was an issue on the 130mm trucks but it didn't affect the ride so far. I'll try the tall barrels and see how they feel

[@alexmc69]

@@downhill254skate I ride Venom 85a plug barrels boardside with Riptide 84a tall cones on my Dropcat, and 85a plug barrels/Riptide 84a tall barrels on my Icarus. I've got some Blood Orange super high rebound plug barrels on the way and will let you know how they compare to Venom.

[@alvinaustral24]

U are an inspiration to my longboard journey! Just want to ask if u can use these gen6 hangers to calibers or paris base plate? I saw your chart on your website on hanger x baseplate compatibilty but didnt see the gen6 or i just missed it 😅

[@downhill254skate]

Actually they don't fit unfortunately :(

[@downhill254skate]

Glad I could be an inspiration :)

[@xcharlesbronsonx]

Can anyone please measure their bear gen 6 trucks any size from axle to axle. I'm trying to find out what the overall width of the 155mm is to fit which board width

[@smolix100]

What would you prefer on a Madrid 2020 Dominant(dropped)for freeriding till 40km/h.Bears 155,or Calibers III?

[@downhill254skate]

Sounds pretty good

[@dead7781]

I really wanna see you on a Switchblade. Would you ever consider reviewing a board like that? Or any doubledrop that was primarily designed for freeriding?

[@downhill254skate]

It's really not my style of riding. I really don't like boards like that for freeriding and Dh ... I'm a shorter topmount guy haha

[@liamdempsey7072]

I rode my buddys switch blade here and there for a while and I honestly hated it. Over complicated concave creates limited useful spots on the deck for your feet. No dive at all in the corners. It’s not even nice to push around town. Really dumb concept that made a lot of sales imo.

[@allymusa]

i have like 5 pcs brand new free style long boards may be we can do exchange witha down hill long board bro it will be a big help to me since i dont have a DH board

[@prairietan]

Have you rode other trucks? can you give others to compare it to. Do you know about the manufacturing process?

[@downhill254skate]

I have ridden other trucks. These are cast aluminum, good quality

[@jnIcksbkallday]

Hey just found your channel. Love it i just started riding and bought a landyachtz drop cat vibes 38. How can I make it faster? It seems slow. I also paid $250 from zumiez was I overcharged? Thank you. New subscriber!

[@Shawn_the_GREAT]

That’s the going rate after Covid

[@jnIcksbkallday]

@@Shawn_the_GREAT gotcha. Any ideas on how to make it faster? Better bearings or wheels? Thank you again

[@Shawn_the_GREAT]

@@jnIcksbkallday depends on the road surface to as whether harder or softer wheels are faster. Bigger diameter ( think 85 vs 70mm ) is always faster , everything else equal.

[@jnIcksbkallday]

@@Shawn_the_GREAT thank you!!

[@downhill254skate]

thanks! I'd recommend some bigger wheels and some bearings. The Plow kings are great, but if you went with 80mm wheels, you'd have an overall faster ride. The 88 wheel co MCflys are a good shout. Get some zealous in them and you're good to go

[@dorycarlson6531]

I think that Paris V3 trucks with Venom standard SHR bushings feel better than the bear gen 6. With default bushings though, Bear will beat Paris. I also thought that bears had a more aggressive leaning than Paris and Caliber III’s due to them having more rake, but maybe that’s just me.

[@downhill254skate]

| didn't like the SHRs when I tried them in Paris. But I only tried them for dh and not carving. I did try the HArdcore barrels in both and liked them a bit better in Bears ... I think it's the open bushing seat. Paris getting progressively tighter (what provides an end to the lean in them), whilst the bears remain open. This gives the bears a bit more lean. The Calibers also have a bushing seat that stays in contact with the bushing longer than the bears so that is a factor too I think

[@alexmc69]

I've had two sets of Paris 180mm and couldn't eliminate slop and a really annoying clicking of washer against the kingpin. I spent a fortune on bushings, precision washers and Riptide pivot cups but they still felt imprecise. I've replaced them with Bear Gen 6 on my Icarus and love them... no slop, a slightly shorter wheelbase and significantly lighter. Plus a longer kingpin means you can use a tall bushing roadside for more lean and a cushier ride.

[@linuxkali7887]

​@@alexmc69 I noticed in the videos his trucks seem much smaller than 180mm. I have 180mm but they stick out the board a bit. Any reason people chose 180mm over narrower trucks?

[@Fin-gj2th]

What bushings do you use and barrels on these trucks and what durometer. Sorry, just getting back into longboarding

[@downhill254skate]

I think I shared it in the write up. I don't run gen 6 anymore though. I do have a cruiser setup tho

[@Fin-gj2th]

@downhill254skate appreciate it. Unfortunately the write up isn't loading! ::(

[@downhill254skate]

@@Fin-gj2th I'll check if theres any conflicting plugins, but if it's not loading rn idk if anything I do tomorrow will work. Lemme copy you what I wrote rn

[@downhill254skate]

@@Fin-gj2th My Bear Gen 6 setups Below are different ways I set up my Bear Gen 6 trucks. They’re appropriate for different styles of riding and different feels. You can draw some inspiration for your setup from them. Whilst they’re good for a specific type of riding, none are explicitly beginner-friendly or better for pros. Very subjective stuff. But some are better for beginners than others. I also weigh 78kg/171lbs. Setup 1 Deck: Landyachtz Freedive WB: 23.5inches Griptape: 60 grit Lokton Trucks: Bear gen 6 Width: 155mm Baseplate Angles: 40/40 Bushings: 93a/93a plug barrel Venom HPF Washers: Cupped washers all around Wheels: Yates Hawgs, EZ Hawgs, Tracers Dragonskins, etc. instagram.com/p/COVZqTDBW9w/ Setup 2 Deck: Landyachtz Freedive WB: 23.5inches Griptape: 60 grit Lokton Trucks: Bear gen 6 Width: 155mm Baseplate Angles: Front: 50° Back: 35° Bushings Front: 85/85a plug barrel Venom HPF Back: 93/95a plug barrel Venom HPF Washers Front: Flat small washer RS/Flat washer BS Back: Cupped washer RS/BS Wheels: Remember hoots, Green Krimes, Supreme Hawgs, etc. Setup 3 Deck: Landyachtz Freedive Reef WB: 23.5inches Griptape: 60 grit Lokton Trucks: Bear gen 6 Width: 130mm Baseplate Angles: Front: 50° Back: 30° Bushings Front: 81/85a plug barrel Venom HPF Back: 95/95a plug barrel Venom HPF Washers Front: Flat small washer RS/Flat washer BS Back: Cupped washer RS/BS Wheels: Blue Biggie Hawgs. instagram.com/p/CZWfWp_qzA2/ Setup 4 Deck: Landyachtz Drop Cat Trucks: Bear gen 6 Width: 180mm Baseplate Angles: Front: 50° Back: 50° Bushings Front: 87/87a Hardcore Barrel Back: 93/93a Hardcore Barrel Washers Front: Flat washer RS/BS Back: Cupped washer RS/ Flat washer BS Wheels: Plow Kings. Setup 5 Deck: Landyachtz Drop Hammer Trucks: Bear gen 6 Width: 180mm Baseplate Angles: Front: 50° Back: 50° Bushings Front: 90a Cone/Barrel Bear bushings Back: 90a Cone/Barrel Bear bushings Washers Front: Cupped washer RS/BS Back: Cupped washer RS/BS Wheels: Kegels Setup 6 Deck: Landyachtz Ripper Trucks: Bear gen 6 Width: 130mm Baseplate Angles: Front: 50° Back: 40° Bushings Front: 90a Barrel/Barrel Bear bushings Back: 85a Barrel/Barrel Bear bushings Washers Front: Cupped washer RS/BS Back: Cupped washer RS/BS Wheels: Lean Cheetah Hawgs Setup 7 Deck: Rocket Micro Wheelbase: 22.5inch Trucks: Bear gen 6 Width: 130mm Baseplate Angles: Front: 45° (Smokies baseplates) Back: 20° (Smokies baseplates) Bushings Front: 85/85a Barrel Venom HPF bushings (85a plug-barrel) Back: 95/97a Barrel Venom HPF bushings (95a plug-barrel) Washers Front: Small flat washer RS/Flat washer BS Back: Cupped washer RS/Flat washer BS Wheels: Flipped Magnums Setup 8 Deck: Prism Trotta Pro Wheelbase: 25inch Trucks: Bear gen 6 Width: 180mm Baseplate Angles: Front: 40° Back: 40° Bushings Front: 93a/95a Barrel Venom HPF bushings (93a plug-barrel) Back: 93a/95a Barrel Venom HPF bushings (93a plug-barrel) Washers Front: Cupped washer RS/BS Back: Cupped washer RS/BS Wheels: Powell Dragonskins obvs has changed over the last few years years but yeah

[@Fin-gj2th]

@@downhill254skate you are a gem to our community, thank you for taking the time to post this! Skate or DIE!!

[@nickamarit]

Really wish one didn't need to sand down plugs. That's my only gripe.

[@downhill254skate]

samesies

[@alexmc69]

try marking with a sharpie (compare against the height of the plug on the stock bushings) and then slicing with a sharp blade.

[@nickamarit]

@@alexmc69 Yes, but doing so will make it not be as tight for Calibers anymore.

[@Ac_a]

Want to drop some hints about your upcoming videos? Maybe make a video about what you do when you’re not skateboarding 🛹. I haven’t skated or exercised outside for 2 weeks, I’m starting to go a bit stir crazy.

[@downhill254skate]

More stff ocming soon! Was taking a bit of a break

[@h.angusmacdonald2119]

I believe the bushings on bears are riptides but for some reason Lanyachtz doesn't mention it on their site. When i emailed to ask they said Riptides.

[@downhill254skate]

I'd need to confirm this. Huuuge if true

[@vadski3469]

These trucks are the shiz

[@teoriasindikato2804]

from bear i shift to ronin....