Yamaha SCR950 Stock Suspension Eval

[@jeffmullinix7916]

I dont know why people complain about this bike specs. The travel is better than all of the old scramblers . This thing as 5.3 inches of travel in the front ans 4.3 travel in the rear . Now lets compair that to the nice old Honda CL350 that had bad trail of 4.6 in the front and a lot less in the rear of 2.5 of travel . I had 2 Honda CL350s and one SL350 that I bought new . I loved all three of them .These bikes was designed by two guys that raced bikes for Honda and win . No they was not light or have the travel as I would like them but back then we did not know and we still bought them and used them as such . Most of these scramblers back then was street bikes and the CL350 was the best of them all and still good to this day . They was not bad on the streets and worse on the trails . I am sure this new SCR950 is going to be just that but an improvment over the old CL bikes . The only thing is its weight . It has a chunky 500 + LBS and that is way to heavy for the trail riding . Back when these bikes was popular that would have not mattered at all to us . Because the only we did with the 350 was riding them in green fields . That was not bad or full of pot holes When I was a kid my brother bought a Honda CT70 all of us boys rode the piss out of it . Talk about shock travel . It's just a step better than a US made mini bike with none . But we did not mind that at all . We still road it like we stolen it . Riding it in our friend sag field of rolling hills 150 acres and camping ever night for the hole week end . It was fun going as fast as that little bike can go and jump over some hills or catch some air off the side of a hill . A CL bike is some what of an cross the board bike even back then . People did know that . Yes people used to convert their street bikes to CL bike and that was not much doing . I have seen someone back in the day that took a Honda 305 dream and did it . So people that complained about how badly Yamaha did this they dont know what they was talking about . This new SCR is better than what they where back in the day . Yamaha did it right it is just the people are not . These bike mags are so full of shit anymore that I stopped buying them back in the early 80's . I never owned a Yamaha SCR or got on one and after reading about how bad they was and that crap . I took my self to see why . I am just regular size guy . I am 60 years old , 5' 8" , My weight is 195 lbs . My arm length is just under 5' span . my inseam is about 32 inches . My hand size well girls it's small like my feet sorry girls . So I am a little odd . My first impression was this is great and it put me back in time when I had my last CL350 back in 1978 . I was 20 then . It was my real transportation and only transportation . It was easy to ride and take care of . It could go on trails if you took it easy on her . It did everything I needed her to do . I been on old fire trails to long distant rides to find work . I been threw creeks and up steep hills with her . She did it all with out one complaint . This SCR can do the same thing but it is a bit heavy . At 500 + lbs where as the CL350 was at somewhere above 350 lbs . Still heavy for a young man that weighted 125 lbs and skinny as a rail .

[@noahtheviking1]

so many dealers and mechanics need this information on how to tune suspension and understanding why. Keep it going man you are saving peoples skin!

[@harrybrown4815]

Really like this review! I have currently have an ER5 with a similar suspension to this bike and riding position. I have many years mechanical experience but it wasn't until I started watching your video's 3-4 years ago that I learned about SAG and setting up the suspension properly. I've always changed my brake fluid and suspension oil annually as like any component they wear out or become deficient over time. So many thanks for the info as I'm always on the look out for better knowledge and better ways of doing things. The difference in the ER5 with its basic suspension since I applied what I had learned about 3 years ago to it,is night and day. Before it wallowed into corners and you really had to wait before appling any more throttle to stand the bike up. Today the bike wants go over even at really slow tight corners and then progressively bring the throttle in the bike just comes up and your away. On the motorway the bike is relaxed and stable even on the most uneven surfaces the suspension gives confidence even when the weather would have you wrapped up indoors. So again Many thanks and keep up the good work. I am sure many riders as have I have gained insight into properly seting up their suspension even if it just for street use or the daily commuter. Mistakes are great as long as we learn from the first one!

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Thanks very much for applying all that you continue to learn and realizing the benefits reaped as a result. Don't be shy in paying it forward in discussions with others to inspire someone else and help me with my mission of education and information to save a life every day!

[@harrybrown4815]

There are a number of riders that have benefitted from my increased knowledge, and some that took some convincing first, so your videos have been an invaluable tool used as a "don't take my word on it have a look what this man of knowledge and experience says." There is one particular "youtuber" I have reached out too through the comments and left some links to your videos because you can see the suspension is so incompliant the vibration from the road is visible through the vloggers' helmet cam. He is currently laid up as he put his back out on that last ride! : o The other tool I use to get riders to think differently about their bike is " would you leave a horse in a field or a stable for even a couple of weeks without any looking after and then expect to just put a saddle on it and ride it and then expect to get the best out of it!" The point is the bike needs looking after so it can look after you! This is especially effective with new riders who pass their basic training and have no idea about maintenance because it wasn't part of their training, so they ride their bike like the car they have always been a passenger in. There is the exception but it is a rare thing I find! A friend once told me when I first started riding that "If you can't smell the roses your riding to fast!" I can not tell you how many times that has rung in my ears, and probably saved my life. I also see that in your videos where the bike has a limiting factor on the riders ability and so the riders focus is placed on the bike instead of looking at the road ahead. As for your mission, We have all been to that grassy knoll to say goodbye ... knuff said!

[@sabretooth717]

Damn u go deep man.!

[@kerobi88]

I'm surprised that you did not mentioned that airfilter box .

[@catalystreactionsbw]

What would you like to know about the air filter box?

[@kerobi88]

@@catalystreactionsbw to me that is just bothering ...my knee also hit the box...

[@ΕΛΛΗΝ]

You are the best!!!!

[@1990-t1j]

I used to have an XT500, as well, which is why I like this bike. Are these bikes still in production? Very interesting video. I have subscribed.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Thanks for subscriibing. The XT500 was discontinued quite some time ago but the SCR is still in production. I have very fond memories of the XT from my youth :)

[@1990-t1j]

I didn't express myself very clearly, Dave. The XT500 is well gone. It was the SCR950 I was wondering about. I am thinking of buying one. Hoping the weight is carried low-down on this bike.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Yamaha still has it in their line up so it should be available. The seat height is lower so I would imagine (although I have never measured) engine height will be lower too.

[@pinotino6349]

Su questa moto consigli onlins?

[@frostymemes6012]

Does anyone know how to lower the bike a little bit without buying a lowering kit?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Setting sag to 40-50mm is a good start! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mobRdJuEfJx6o68

[@AmmarKhan-g1f]

How to lower down front

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Measure the amount of fork sticking above the upper triple clamp. Put the bike on the side stand and carefully loosen the triple clamp bolts so you have to work the fork through. Remeasure, tighten the triple clamp bolts correctly.

[@pinotino6349]

quanto sei alto?