Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 & Continental GT650. Watch this before upgrading your Suspension! 

The Gospel according to Uncle Stu! You are the epitome of a pragmatist. There is so much B.S. floating around the Internet that I feel badly for people just starting out doing their own wrenching. I purchased the YSS shocks w/o the piggy-back reservoir for my interceptor just to clean things up a bit on the back end and can say they perform better that just about anything I've used. I've been a YSS customer for over 10 years, and they've never let me down. Next step will be the front springs!

That's got to be the best sprung armchair in England ! I myself thought the rear shocks looked too 70's for a 60's retro bike . So after watching your video on the shocks for The Mule I spoke to Hagon which were very very helpful and within 5 days of my call a pair of all black standard shocks with top caps on arrived at my door all for the princely sum of £158 ! They make the bike feel much more stable over bumps and cornering and to my butt add a little more comfort , so there's an even cheaper option for those like me don't ride to a competition standard and are also as tight as a ducks rear hatch . As for the front I tried a little spacer which I had made which I saw on another channel and that seemed to work for me as it only cost me a bottle of Captain Morgan, which was cracked open during fitting and I had to walk home ! Nice filming as usual , I remember that sunny day it was a Tuesday that we now call Summer in Blighty !

Hi Stuart, I'm a new subscriber to your channel - what a find! A veritable breath of fresh air. Practical, intelligent, factual and balanced - what more could one want! Thanks for the considerable work you put into making the videos. I'll be recommending your channel to my biker friends. Cheers!

Your honesty is staggering and maturity is amazing. You are an absolute ASSET. Keep going!

well worth watching thanks Stu , looking forward to watching the upgrade , stay safe

These lessons are pure gold Uncle Stu, cheers!

When I did my suspension on my Interceptor I went with those YSS rear shocks without the piggyback reservoir.. They are more classic looking for this style of bike and save money at the same time. As for the ride I'd say they are a by far a excellent upgrade over the stock setup, I have maybe over 7000 miles on them now. As for the front I bought the YSS upgrade kit first before I bought the rear and that upgrade really changes the feel of the bike for sure, fork doesn't come close to bottoming out like before and planted to the road. I took criticism from a few people on the Facebook pages about drilling out the dampers I'd just say the instruction say nothing about that and that was the end of that. I you will like those rear shocks I certainly do. Cheers mate

Gday Stuart, been a subscriber of your channel for some time now. Your detailed information in all your videos have been just the best on RU-vid. You are referred to as “The Guru” on social media here in Australia! Anyways I just took delivery of my new Interceptor (Sunset Strip) last night and heading out for first ride this morning, all according to your Royal Enfield engine run in procedure. Thank you for the content it’s very appreciated. Happy riding and cheers from Australia mate. 👍

Thank you Stuart im thinking of doing the upgrad but i am wary of stuffing the front up by removing the front forks and trying to get them back to thier original position so im very interested to see the GT instal to see if there is an easier way. please keep the vlogs coming as i find you to be evry informative and you have a very good reputation and following here down Unda. Kindest Regards Allen

Nice concise explanation. Many thanks. I'll be upgrading to YSS shortly.

Really interesting video, those YSS rear shocks look much more in keeping with a modern classic look, makes me wonder why RE went for the pigyback ones in the first place.

Hey up Stu, thanks for the vid, one thing you didn't mention re the rear sussies was; when considering piggybacks against standard shocks for retros there are two sharing the load, and unless you're going to do trackdays on your RE (which I doubt) the standard shock in my opinion is the better more cost effective option. In '05 I bought a Nitron conventional shock for my Gixer, it was sprung for my weight and it worked fine with no fade for 3 years and over 30 trackdays, I think considering what these bikes are bought for, your opinion on the conventional shock is bang on !!! Cheers

Nice to see you again on YT, Uncle Stu ! Greetings from Bali !

My Yss fork kit for my Conti650 is due any day, THANK YOU for the clarification on drilling, the local RE dealer was saying it was needed, but will ignore them and do it myself, the way YSS prescribe, and look forward to your Conti install video too! Cheers!

I'd already installed the YSS front forks replacement based on your earlier recommendation. I've been very happy with the front end ever since.

Your work is fully appreciated. Informative while being in simple straightforward terms. Many thanks. 🎀

Got these shocks per your recommendation, actually, bought the bike a year ago because of your videos. I find most of your content factual and to the point. These shocks transformed how the 650 handles. They made the bike much more sure footed on the ground.

Excellent info, especially on the YSS front fork upgrade. Thank you.

Thank-you. I have wondered about the YSS vs. the Ohlins. This clears it up. I likely will replace both front and rear with YSS. I'm not completely disappointed with RE suspension but it is an upgrade worth doing in due time. A person could never change them out and that would be fine too. The beautiful thing about the bike is it is a great platform to take wherever you wish. I made my wifes into a scrambler and it turned out quite good. K60's are great on this bike albeit a bit rumbly at city speed. Love the TEC Stinger with the factory tall windscreen and skidplate/bashplate. It really is a great bike. Turns heads everywhere.

Hey Stuart, great talking points! I've purchased the YSS front fork kit and piggyback rear shocks after watching some of your videos and looking around online. I found that the YSS piggyback shocks were a great improvement from the stock suspension in the rear. The YSS fork kit was also a nice upgrade (for the price), but I ended up going with a fully adjustable cartridge kit to match the performance/adjustability of the rear shocks. If you really like the Interceptor or the Continental GT and you're okay with spending close to $2000 (on a bike you might keep for a long time), I will say that the handling and comfort improvements are shockingly good! ⚡ Maybe if you give one of the vendors a friendly nudge/mention they'll hook you up with a set!

I'll be waiting for that video as always thanks for the info uncle Stu

I find the standard set up really good . On the roads I ride on. Don't ride 2up. I did up grade my Triumph street twin. That really needed it !

Thanks Stuart. I have been playing around with motorbikes since the early 1970s and one of the main things I've learned about bikes is how little I know about bikes. I appreciate videos like yours , as you speak in terms even a ham fisted goon like me can understand. You keep the vids coming and I'll keep watching.thx again 😀

Yes that vlaue added for the money spent always figures in my bike spending as well. Perhaps it is a generation thing .Had Ohlins on my 2005 FJR1300 but at that time it did not represent a third of the price of the bike. Excellent advice once again. Thank you.

Brilliant video as always Stuart and those are a really nice pair of YSS shocks 😊👍🏻

Thank you for this video. It feeds my need to modify things. The stock suspension on my new INT seems to be quite good. I actually did not expect this bike to feel like an extension of my body --- effortless without being sensitive. On our chip seal back roads that have not quite recovered from the winter frost heave, the suspension feels on the stiff side, and does not bottom at all. I wonder if the spring rates changed. I have the preload on the Foux piggybacks set on the lowest setting. After my 200 pounds and miles has had its way with the stock suspension, I will do this upgrade.

You can torque every nut and bolt to factory spec , however if you have a “loose nut” behind the handlebars ,,,, Indeed the additional valve in the kit works in conjunction with the existing internal valve , top vid Stu love this content.

Stuart’s advice to follow the YSS fitting instructions on the front suspension upgrade is sound. Better to trust that the manufacturer has built these cartridge valve emulators to work with the stock dampers. But there is some confusion on this point. Paul Thede, engineer and race suspension tuner, invented the first valve emulators in the 90’s to overcome the inherent limitations of simple ( and inexpensive to manufacture) damper rod forks that were most common at the time. He designed his emulators (Racetech Gold Valves) to take over the compression damping from damper rod and installation requires drilling out the holes in the rod so that they are not actually providing damping. The valve takes over. The problem that these valves are intended to solve is that there is too much damping from the stock holes when the suspension is moving quickly.

Useful, Helpful and Informative. Highly appreciate it. 🙏

The YSS shocks and front fork upgrade kit work great for me. Thank's uncle Stu.

Informative as ever Stuart

Very interesting and informative video. I prefer shocks without a piggyback unit on these bikes, I just think the style suits it better. About the forks, a company called Gold Valve Emulators recommends drilling out the damping rods for their product and this might be what people are thinking of. YSS, as you pointed out, don't recommend this for YSS kits. This drilling drama is the very reason I did not buy the Gold Valve product. John Nicholson mentions more on this below.

You are awesome! Best motorcycle videos on the web! ❣

FWIW- I find the piggyback canisters on the OEM shocks handy for hooking the corners of my bungee net over. This obviates the need for those pretty but costly capstans to be added.

I'm one of the people who fitted this kit and questioned whether the damping rod hole should have been drilled. The reason people ask this is that pretty much every other cartridge emulator kit I have seen tells you to to do this, and when I contacted YSS (main company and local distributor) I got no response, and also got no conclusive reply from Hitchcocks. I think it's pretty understandable why people would question this, especially since the instruction manual isn't exactly the best written thing in the world and it's completely believable that an important step would be left out. I appreciate this video a lot though and it's put my mind to rest on the matter.

I 1st aaked you, when you received the GT if you were going to fit YSS. You said in a heart beat, but you felt you meeded to show alternatives and was looking at another brand. Well i'm pleased common sense prevailed and you stuck with YSS. An excellent choice and the Z Series is a fantastic shock. I fully agree with you re emulators and have also advised folks NOT to modify their damper rod and as YSS supply 250cc of their 15w to use that. How some bloke in a shed knows more than YSS themselves is beyond me. Looking forward to your follow up vids.

Hi Stuart, I really enjoy your videos and have been looking at the one for upgrading the front fork suspension on the Interceptor 650. Something I am contemplating doing. You mention in this video that you will demonstrate a "quicker/easier" way to do this in a video to follow, when you upgrade the Continental GT. I have searched but can't find that video. Did you do it in the end, if so please could you help me locate it. many thanks for all you are doing, Mike

Good on ya Stewart ….good information as always mate

Hello Stu and thanks for this video. Could I please ask that when you do the rear shock fitting video can you perhaps give your opinion on how they compare to the rear custom hagon shocks you fitted to the bullet both in terms of price and performance? Many Thanks.

OK now I've found enough confidence to install the YSS fork upgrade kit for the C5 I've been gifted with lately. Install it by myself, I mean. It's cheaper than having the shop take care of it. And more fun. Don't know about the 650s, but the Bullet/Classic could perform a little better in the front. RE probably uses good springs, but also a poor oil, which I'm going to replace too, a plastic spacer instead of YSS's metal one, and of course there are no cartridge emulators installed. Last but not least, YSS now (they told me it's a new feature) provides new fork top caps, easier to deal with than the oem ones that are screwed as tight as I don't know what! When I'll decide to upgrade the back (so far, the second-to-last preload notch is OK, and I nearly always ride with a pillion) I'll probably go for shrouded Hagons - let's leave Ohlins to HD (no offense to both)...

Race Tech cartridge emulators require drilling the internal passageways when installing. This is probably why you get those comments. I have installed them on a Yamaha V-Max. Obviously the ones you installed do not require the drilling.

Useful video for me. I didn’t realize the purpose of the piggy back design. Seems overkill for me so I’ll skip that when I go to upgrade.

Did you consider the Hagon shocks advertised by Hitchcock’s? I would be interested to see how they perform as you seem to like them on your classic 500.

Hiya, this myth may have come from other upgrades on other bikes. My 40 year old BMW is hard on potholes or sharp speed bumps. The way the damper works by pushing oil through a hole just cannot react fast enough. It's soft on undulating surfaces and too hard on rough ones. Fitting valve emulators does involve drilling the dampers so that system is effectively bypassed. Completely different springs and very long spacers are also needed like the RE650 kit. The emulator has a spring that original does not that allows oil pressure overloads to back it out and let the springs absorb the really hard knocks. It's a relief valve. The right oil (very thin), a good cleanup and progressive springs is a lot cheaper and good enough for me. Emulator kits are very expensive for my old bike. I have YSS on the back and cannot fault them in terms of quality even if price is ignored.

Still wandering if I should change my shocks or not. At track days I do sometimes wobble at high speed-low angle corners, but remember this is not a track bike. When passing the 140 kmph bike feels really unstable even at the slightest angle. What do you think Stuart? Love your vids BTW, you're making everything so much easier for us! Keep up the good work ✌

Fitted yss front dampers valves to my 2014 nc750x and upgraded the springs, the yss fitting instructions tells you to drill out the 2 damper holes and add 4more and per leg, yes the front suspension is 90% better. the roads I ride are very rough, the old oil dampers would suffer from hydraulic lock and just stop working and beat the hell out of my hands and arms but I am 71 with arthritis

Uncle Stu thank you so much for uploading such detailed videos. In your opinion would a yss front suspension upgrade and staying with stock gas shock on interceptor would be a good chemistry to begin with? (Since budget is certainly a problem at my end hence the question)

Good job Stu

I seriously doubt YSS forgot to mention using a drill before installing their emulator?? I've ridden a friend's interceptor with this modification and it's just astounding how smooth the front suspension becomes

Alf Hagon makes great shocks and also look good .🏍️🗻🏔️

My next, and probably final, upgrade for my INT. Thanks for mentioning the "drill out your OEM" nonsense. I've heard dozens of arguments that it's "required" and, from what I learned, it's a false argument that has a lot of traction.

Hello Uncle Stu! Will you be making a video on installation of the YSS kit in front suspension of the Continental GT as well? I know the one for Interceptor is there and this could come off as a repeat. But I still would like to see one for that too. 😊

Thank you Stu, that’s answered my query with perfect timing. Suspension is my next upgrade as Christmas is coming........... Following on from there is the exhaust, should I include the front pipes in this job? Does it make much difference to the bikes performance and efficiency? Glad you’re feeling better mate, see you (remotely) again soon.

Exactly like Telescopes ( I am an amateur Astronomer Stuart ) and I will use ( au$ )so lets use 100mm APO refractors , a Takahashi at this size is 6k ish ! , where a Skywatcher ED100 is 1.3k , both gather 100mm of light at f10 , both doublet APO's ( Apochromat ) I have owned and loved both , exactly like the ' Advantage ' you say on suspension . I sold the Takahashi , brought a Bike ( 650nk ) and have and love my ED100 . Same reason I wont sell my CFMoto 650nk and buy a Yamaha or Triumph because I have ridden with most ( and others ) and the $$$$'s to me ain't worth nothing . ps. I did a few side by sides at night with the 2 above telescopes and not one of my observing buddies could see a difference on most night sky objects ,,, hmmmm ? They were there and the Takahashi was better ,,, but not 4.5 X better .

the correlation between price and performance is "normal" by most standard principles, e.g. pareto's principle.. it is just very very hard to get that last bit of suspension performance out of a piece, hence the steep cost. so yes, somewhere between 20% and 60% of the price range, you will most likely find the best product, which is also holds true for motorcycles for the most part, given a few strange new additions with uncertain quality standards^^

I have the YSS set up on my Interceptor, well worth the investment.

Well done, thank you.

Nice one Stuart...

Sir! I have seen your Bonnie suspension upgrade with Hagon. Have you also tried them (Hagon Suspension) on 650. If so or not, what are your views. Thanks in advance.

Brilliant.. Thank you. 👌👌👌

A more important question, Uncle Stu, silver wheels or black?

How do the Hagon shocks compare to YSS?

One question I have concerning the original rear shocks which I am still running on. I was told recently that the rear reservoir is totally fake and contained no gas ,,oil, nothing ! well I'm not about to drill a hole in them to find out 😄 though I never liked the look of them from new so coloured them black soon after purchasing the bike. Anyone know if this is the case? would be interested to know. I can say that I've found no problem with how they perform though I'm quite light and have played with the preload which made a big difference. My bggest gripe was the front suspension which I found very clunky and cured by replacing the internals with longer springs and shorter spacers, not too expensive and great improvement👍

Stupid question Uncle Stu. I see you check oil height then put the emulator in, shouldn't the damper go in then check oil height or doesn't it matter? Looking forward to seeing the easier way of doing it...I followed the long winded way 🙂

Good one! 🤙🏼

After riding "briskly" on a bumpy road, do the shock *reservoirs* on the OEM and/or the YSS shocks feel *warm or hot* to the touch? How about on a *corrugated dirt* road? Just for overkill, I'd be tempted to plate the reservoirs black and to clamp black finned heat sinks to them to keep them cool - just the mod for the 650 Himalayan! :-)

are the piggy backs worth it for off roading a little bit?

👍 Thanks!

On the rear shocks... How well does the grub screw maintain adjustment?

Mr. Stu's voice would be impeccable for Wildlife Documentaries 😀.. National Geographic & Discovery are you listening??

Is there a reason you didn't consider Hagon again for the GT?

Hi Stu. Can you please clarify your statement at around the 18 minute mark about the spring holding the valve? What are you trying to say?

Some more good info there Stu. I went with Hagons on the rear. Still not done anything to the front. I don’t want to fit bar risers, so I reckon that rules out the kss. Have heard of a kit by ikon, but not researched it yet. Off topic but a bit of local info required if possible. My cx was sold used by a company called Staddon’s , College st, Sutton. Wonder if you knew of them or if they are still in business in the Hull area? Cheers.

It is ok also for model Euro 5?

Is this old footage or have you got rid of the gold graphics on the orange tank?

Hello my friend. I have a question: my weight is 140 Kg and I have an Interceptor; sometimes my wife is with me on motorbike (55 Kg more). What do you suggest to me for my Interceptor? The same YSS? Thanks Ivo & Manuela from Italy

So then, Stu, you can only INCREASE the compression damping over OEM then ?

I thought it was B🤬L S🤬T why would a aftermarket upgrade need modifying more, ludicrous.Well said Uncle Stu & you probably saving lives & serious injury too.

I've just fitted a set of Norman Hyde fork springs. It's a much nicer ride now.

Why guess about dampers? Do they do what they claim or not! Get your stuff down to a decent damper Dyno , they will tell you temp internal and effect of the units…..simples…..😉👍

Liking the beard Stu

Hi there! Is there any way to make the footpeg position better for the Interceptor?

I always rely on the maker of such parts , hey have tested them , recalibrated them tested again and again , hey know better than i so install as recomended .

I can't understand why all these parts that come from countries where they make $5 a day or $2 an hour why are they so expensive?

Piggyback shocks just look wrong on the Interceptor, I have no financial interest in another brand but why do people not consider a fantastic British company who provide bespoke suspension for a lot of IOM racers, Maxton Engineering, super quality shocks which should be your first port of call if you’re considering a higher end product such as Öhlins.

Why not Hagons? Supporting uk small business and not Taiwan 🤔Fit piggyback to gt and these shocks to interceptor😊

I have a Motorcycle with fully adjustability suspension.... What's the worst possible thing you can do?... watch a myriad of RU-vid videos on the 'black art'....Or read your instruction/maintenance book to at least have a starting point. After experimenting I took the Bike to a Race Prep' specialist..(here in Spain) He asked me if the bike was ever used on track, Answer No! only public roads. he set the sag to my weight and adjusted the damping. after a couple of tweaks and 'spirited' riding the bike handle beautifully....(cost me 50€)...but only on smooth tarmac roads which I'm glad to say are pretty common in Spain. On agricultural (B) type roads your teeth fillings are shaken out. And thats the problem really, with adjustability comes compromise...

Oh dear, drilling dampers, a recipe for, no no you carry on, you know you can put your phone in the microwave to charge it, yes use the defrost setting though that's the bit they forgot to tell you.

One thing I have learnt from motocycle forums, ignore all advice, ask a mechanic who works specifically on your chosen brand.

Thanks, Uncle Stu. I'm frankly getting tired of all the misinformation you come across on the Internet.

I assume you're a specialist mechanic

"I know you spent thousands of dollars on shocks from a world renowned manufacturer who gave you explicit instructions written by actual engineers BUT I know better what you should really do!" WHY would anyone listen to that? 🤷‍♂️

Jeez Stuart, what do you do for a living with that house? That aside, cant understand why anyone would want to troll you re Triumph being better or whatever. Ridiculous, unfortunately the internet exposes the dysfunctional childishness of many people.