Which has more bang for baht? alloy rims vs. air shock? on a motorbike / scooter?

[blacksuitdandruff]

I'm considering upgrading my two stock motorbikes / scooters.

Both automatics, 14" spoke wheels, one rear shock only, Honda brand.

The price for a pair of alloy six-spoke rims and the one air shock made by YSS (I believe) is about 1300 baht.

My goal is to get a smoother ride from the bumps and holes of bkk. I would also like to only do the minimal upgrades as I might sell one or both soon.

Any suggestions? ...please explain why the benefits of one might be better over the other too.

Thanks.

[ll2]

they are different things but spoked rims helps for smooth rides over bumps and they are a lot more durable than alloy rims.

a strong shock is a must for smooth ride in bangkok. you can get an yss gas hybrid shock for as low as 1000 thb and good ones for around 2000 thb - set - with external gas canister and better adjustment.

i recently renovated my wave 125 x and put a set of good spoked rims - 800 thb a set - and a set of YSS gas hybrid shock - 950 thb for two shocks.

now it runs cool over bumps without complaining or squeaking.

[blacksuitdandruff]

they are different things but spoked rims helps for smooth rides over bumps and they are a lot more durable than alloy rims.

a strong shock is a must for smooth ride in bangkok. you can get an yss gas hybrid shock for as low as 1000 thb and good ones for around 2000 thb - set - with external gas canister and better adjustment.

i recently renovated my wave 125 x and put a set of good spoked rims - 800 thb a set - and a set of YSS gas hybrid shock - 950 thb for two shocks.

now it runs cool over bumps without complaining or squeaking.

Do you think the price difference between the hybrids and the external canister version shocks is justified by the benefits?

[ll2]

they are different things but spoked rims helps for smooth rides over bumps and they are a lot more durable than alloy rims.

a strong shock is a must for smooth ride in bangkok. you can get an yss gas hybrid shock for as low as 1000 thb and good ones for around 2000 thb - set - with external gas canister and better adjustment.

i recently renovated my wave 125 x and put a set of good spoked rims - 800 thb a set - and a set of YSS gas hybrid shock - 950 thb for two shocks.

now it runs cool over bumps without complaining or squeaking.

Do you think the price difference between the hybrids and the external canister version shocks is justified by the benefits?

it depends on your needs. if you just ride your wave or scooter like me to 7/11 like 3 kms or food market for 4 kms, hard to justify.

but if i was commuting for some kms and use my wave everyday or if i use my wave for scratching my knees or for extended fun rides, i sure get the stronger and better ones with external gas canister and with more adjustability.

the ones i bought for wave with no external gas canister is totally sufficient with only preload adjustment and hundred times better than stock, no bottoming and ride is smoother.

check it out, but prices are not very updated so it can be 100 thb up or down than stated on these now:

Edited February 5, 2015 by ll2

[baggies666]

Hi, I do around 80km a week on my click 125i, no idea about mid range etc, what would be the middle of the range upgrade something from the k series on the click chart above?

[ktm jeff]

How about doing the shocks on one bike , and the wheels on the other . Let us know which improves most / better value .

[guzzi850m2]

I prefer the alloys rims on scooters, the tires don't loose air are as quickly as spoked ones. (alloy rims are normally using tubeless tires and spoked rims obviously not).

Spoked rims (unless pained) are a bitch to clean, alloys not, just wash them now and again.

We own 2 scooters in the household and the wife's scoopy (spoked rims) needs air in the tires once every 2 weeks or so and on my pcx I check the pressure now and again and they seldom needs air (alloy rims).

Had to buy YSS rear shocks for the pcx since the original ones was bottoming out when navigating speed bumps 2up and better handling too. Scoopy all original.

OP I would try rear shocks first if I were you.

[blacksuitdandruff]

I prefer the alloys rims on scooters, the tires don't loose air are as quickly as spoked ones. (alloy rims are normally using tubeless tires and spoked rims obviously not).

Spoked rims (unless pained) are a bitch to clean, alloys not, just wash them now and again.

We own 2 scooters in the household and the wife's scoopy (spoked rims) needs air in the tires once every 2 weeks or so and on my pcx I check the pressure now and again and they seldom needs air (alloy rims).

Had to buy YSS rear shocks for the pcx since the original ones was bottoming out when navigating speed bumps 2up and better handling too. Scoopy all original.

OP I would try rear shocks first if I were you.

What kind and price YSS shock did you get?

[ll2]

Hi, I do around 80km a week on my click 125i, no idea about mid range etc, what would be the middle of the range upgrade something from the k series on the click chart above?

I suggest G Plus 300 mm from click suspensions chart as it has more adjustability plus it is rated 'plus' so it can carry more load without bottoming and it is more durable. Better for a foreigner and sure it provides a better ride for extra 700 thb.

[ttakata]

I would suggest shocks also first though can't recommend a particular one.

Alloy wheels would not noticeably make the ride more comfortable (actually they are stiffer than spoked wheels); just less air refills and tire reliability.

New shocks will be noticeably better though.

Pretty much repeating what has been said.

Let us know the results of what you end up doing.

[papa al]

they are different things but spoked rims helps for smooth rides over bumps and they are a lot more durable than alloy rims.

a strong shock is a must for smooth ride in bangkok. you can get an yss gas hybrid shock for as low as 1000 thb and good ones for around 2000 thb - set - with external gas canister and better adjustment.

i recently renovated my wave 125 x and put a set of good spoked rims - 800 thb a set - and a set of YSS gas hybrid shock - 950 thb for two shocks.

now it runs cool over bumps without complaining or squeaking.

Do you think the price difference between the hybrids and the external canister version shocks is justified by the benefits?

it depends on your needs. if you just ride your wave or scooter like me to 7/11 like 3 kms or food market for 4 kms, hard to justify.

but if i was commuting for some kms and use my wave everyday or if i use my wave for scratching my knees or for extended fun rides, i sure get the stronger and better ones with external gas canister and with more adjustability.

the ones i bought for wave with no external gas canister is totally sufficient with only preload adjustment and hundred times better than stock, no bottoming and ride is smoother.

check it out, but prices are not very updated so it can be 100 thb up or down than stated on these now:

I like the THB990 Wave Hummers, rated 250kg, so the whole family can ride in comfort.

[ll2]

they are different things but spoked rims helps for smooth rides over bumps and they are a lot more durable than alloy rims.

a strong shock is a must for smooth ride in bangkok. you can get an yss gas hybrid shock for as low as 1000 thb and good ones for around 2000 thb - set - with external gas canister and better adjustment.

i recently renovated my wave 125 x and put a set of good spoked rims - 800 thb a set - and a set of YSS gas hybrid shock - 950 thb for two shocks.

now it runs cool over bumps without complaining or squeaking.

Do you think the price difference between the hybrids and the external canister version shocks is justified by the benefits?

it depends on your needs. if you just ride your wave or scooter like me to 7/11 like 3 kms or food market for 4 kms, hard to justify.

but if i was commuting for some kms and use my wave everyday or if i use my wave for scratching my knees or for extended fun rides, i sure get the stronger and better ones with external gas canister and with more adjustability.

the ones i bought for wave with no external gas canister is totally sufficient with only preload adjustment and hundred times better than stock, no bottoming and ride is smoother.

check it out, but prices are not very updated so it can be 100 thb up or down than stated on these now:

I like the THB990 Wave Hummers, rated 250kg, so the whole family can ride in comfort.

yep, i was about to buy that but the YSS dealer at Worachak Area who can speak good English advised me not to buy it as he said it is too stiff and has no finesse. HE said it is for people carrying high loads like street vendors or couriers etc.

He advised me to buy another one with gas which is something hybrid like E series at Honda wave chart for 100 thb cheaper than Mammoth 250 kg shocks. Mammoth was 1100 thb and the ones i got was 950 thb with discount - for two shocks.

[blacksuitdandruff]

UPDATE

got as Yss hybrid shock for 800 baht.

It was the gas kind without the external can. Reason why I chose this one and not the more expensive one with the external can was because two different shops told me the performance was the same for both. Maybe the profit margin was higher on the cheaper one.

Installation was 100 baht.

I also upgraded the rear tire because it was time to change.

Got a Michelin City tire with the higher 90/90 profile for 650 plus 100 installation.

The ride and handling is much smoother.

I'd say 50% better.

Still feel the bumps but not bottoming out and the bike handles much better over the bumps while braking and accelerating.

Easier on the butt and back after driving 30+ km today.

With a passenger on back it responds very comfortably too.

Happy with the 1650 baht investment and I feel confident and ready a few months in advance for the rain.

Thanks to everyone who made a beneficial posting.