VOL. 51 ISSUE 45 NOVEMBER 11, 2014 P93
we did. The updated shaft is not
only more reliable but provides
better flow, as well.
Another must for the YZ—
launch control! Not the electronic
kind that alters mapping but the
launch-control (aka "holeshot")
device that physically helps com-
press the fork down a few inches
in the stroke for the starts. In the
locked down position, it puts
more load on the front end in-
stead of the rear, lessening the
chance of a wheelie out of the
gate and increasing your chance
of getting the holeshot. Pro Cir-
cuit sells them for about $110.
Pro Circuit also fitted our bike
with its CNC-machined billet
aluminum axle blocks ($59.95),
which are lighter and, more im-
portantly, stronger than the stock
blocks. They also have better
chain adjustment lines for more
precise and easy wheel align-
ment.
As for the suspension we
played a little with both the fork
and shock.
"The Yamaha's suspension is
really good right out of the crate,"
says one of Pro Circuit's suspen-
sion gurus. "But, as a general
rule, suspension from the factory
is set up for riders around 160-170
pounds and for the novice skill
level. For the average guy, the
Yamaha's suspension is okay."
But the person who was go-
ing to ride our bike at Loretta's,
Derek Kelley, isn't your average
guy when it comes to talent, and
he also weighs in at 150 pounds,
so some suspension work was
needed.
"For any rider, basically, we
want to make the YZ's suspen-
sion have smoother transition
from the top of the stroke to the
bottom. The overall goal is to
make the fork and shock more
balanced overall."
Both the shock and fork were
revalved and gone through with a
fine-tooth comb and tuned to our
specific needs—Derek's weight,
riding ability, personal prefer-
ence, etc. When all was said and
done, the work Pro Circuit did on
our suspension, front and rear,
cost just under $1000 and that
includes parts and labor.
Once Pro Circuit was done
By the end of the week, Kelley
said that our Pro Circuit YZ
was "perfect" for him.
