Yari upgrades?

butthead

Member
Dec 10, 2019
27
12
Stafford
So, I rode my base on some steep, fast trails for the first time today and it was great fun but found the front of the bike feeling too low, soft and diving a bit into corners and braking.

It's early days (only my 2nd ride), but has anyone else noticed this with the yari? YT bikes tend to also be quite low at the front, so I may either:

1) Upgrade to charger 2.1 or FAST UP damper

2) Add a token, add some pressure and see how it feels. One reviewer recommended taking the tokens out and increasing by normal pressure by about 20 psi, but this would surely make the small bump compliance worse?

3) Increase the travel to 170 to raise front end (I know it'll change geometry slightly) or buy some riser bars + one of above.

Anyone else managed to improve the Yari sitting a bit low and diving? Thanks
 

Pabs

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2019
108
207
London
If your bike came set up anything like mine you'll find the upper limit of tokens (4) already installed.

Add 5 psi and go for a ride, maybe add compression too, and see if anything improves. More longer term 170, damper and risers may all be worth trying to see if it suits you.
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
You could upgrade the seals and damper to make it lyric spec.

Before doing anything though I would take the air out of the fork, repressurise it to your settings, and check you have equalised the chambers. Quite easy not to do so and have the issues you are describing.

Depending on where you are based, taking it to a specialist and getting it set up professionally, which usually cost about an hours labor, is well worth doing too
 

roQer

Member
Jun 29, 2019
82
71
Ludwigshafen am Rhein
So, I rode my base on some steep, fast trails for the first time today and it was great fun but found the front of the bike feeling too low, soft and diving a bit into corners and braking.

It's early days (only my 2nd ride), but has anyone else noticed this with the yari? YT bikes tend to also be quite low at the front, so I may either:

1) Upgrade to charger 2.1 or FAST UP damper

2) Add a token, add some pressure and see how it feels. One reviewer recommended taking the tokens out and increasing by normal pressure by about 20 psi, but this would surely make the small bump compliance worse?

3) Increase the travel to 170 to raise front end (I know it'll change geometry slightly) or buy some riser bars + one of above.

Anyone else managed to improve the Yari sitting a bit low and diving? Thanks

Had the same impression. Increasing the travel to 170 is the best option, IMO. Additionally, bike feels better balanced at 170 front. Going 180 wouldn’t hurt as well, as RS forks sit pretty low in travel. New air spring will cost you like 40 Eur so no big deal.
 

butthead

Member
Dec 10, 2019
27
12
Stafford
After inspection, it seems it came with 4 tokens installed. I took out 2, then re-pressurised as per instructions to about 10psi more than I would normally have for my weight. It felt a lot better tbh but didn't ride anything too challenging.

I'm still tempted to get the 2.1 damper, seals and 170 air spring tho as it might feel as good as my old lyriks on my Capra then ?
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
10,496
10,702
the internet
Your fork riding low has nothing to do with the damper
Adding tokens will only make it worse

You need more spring support
SO:
Up your air spring pressure (and REMOVE tokens)
YES your small bump will be less sensitive. - You don't need EVERY tiny bump ironed out. Tyre pressure (to some extent) does that.
 

steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
9,008
9,433
Lincolnshire, UK
What Gary has suggested (and others) costs nothing to do and takes little time or expertise. It makes sense to get the best out of what you have before deciding to spend some serious cash on it and then find out that you still have the same problem.
 

Flatslide

E*POWAH Master
Jul 14, 2019
265
250
Dunedin NZ
I struggled with the Yari on my Altitude when I first bought it. Couldn't get it to use all the travel, air pressure was way off for my weight etc. After I removed the 2 fitted tokens (now there are none), the air pressure is 90psi (I'm 85kg kitted), and the fork has been fine. I like it plush and expect to be able to use all of the available 160mm travel when carelessly slammed into a hole etc. The MC damper works fine and copes with regular downhill sessions. It's not as refined as the tuned Lyrik on my Remedy, but the difference in performance isn't worth the cash imo.
 

steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
9,008
9,433
Lincolnshire, UK
@butthead I had problems with my Revelation (Rev is to Pike as Yari is to Lyrik). But it was the opposite to your problem. I couldn't get full travel and it felt hard, despite setting the sag to 30%.

So I deflated the fork and then re-inflated according to the Rockshox website. That was better, but still not good enough, so I removed the single token in the air leg. The sum total made a really noticeable difference and I cancelled my plans to upgrade to a Pike by fitting the Charger damper.

I later was able to borrow a ShockWiz, but the changes recommended were minimal, just one more click of rebound damping.

Ensure that you have got the best out of your fork with simple and cheap steps before spending major cash on upgrades.
 

MTB_MIKE

Member
Dec 20, 2019
98
95
Southern California, USA
With the Debonair air spring, you got a large negative air chamber. So much so that the bike sags 8-10mm under its own weight so if you push down on the bike it will not return to 160mm. I upped my air spring to 170mm and under its own weight, it sags to 158-160mm. I also prefer a Linear Coil like feel with lots of mid stroke support and minimal diving so I removed all 4 tokens and upped the pressure to 100psi (73kg rider). I find small bump sensitivity still excellent due to the large negative air chamber and mid-stroke support to be superb. End stroke is great also and still feels bottomless. I’ve used all but 5mm of the travel so far
 

KenX

E*POWAH Master
Jul 21, 2019
292
248
Briançon, France
Exactly this, I'm similar weight and changed to 170mm airshaft, removed all tokens and upped the air pressure a bit, fork is now super plush, but retains the same ride height! Coupled with a Marzocchi Bomber coil shock the Decoy is transformed!
 

outerlimits

E*POWAH BOSS
Founding Member
Feb 3, 2018
1,241
1,575
Australia
Dial up some Low speed compression it will lessen the dive under brakes and in corners.
I had 3 tokens in my Yari and it was blowing through the initial stroke and riding in the mid stroke of the fork making everything feel harsh. I removed a token and added some air pressure which gave better initial stroke support and made everything feel smooth again.
 

eia

Member
Apr 6, 2019
20
10
Germany
Coupled with a Marzocchi Bomber coil shock the Decoy is transformed!

how is the Shocks behavior when pedaling? The bomber coil Shocks does not have a platform or any climb siwtch as far as I now. With the RS deluxe I do not have a lot of movement when pedaling.
 

ziscwg

Member
Sep 18, 2019
76
32
US
After inspection, it seems it came with 4 tokens installed. I took out 2, then re-pressurised as per instructions to about 10psi more than I would normally have for my weight. It felt a lot better tbh but didn't ride anything too challenging.

I'm still tempted to get the 2.1 damper, seals and 170 air spring tho as it might feel as good as my old lyriks on my Capra then ?
these update will give you a better fork. You still will have to get the token/pressure right for how you ride. If you have done this already, let up know how it is. If you have not, make sure you get the 2021 air piston for the 170mm travel upgrade
 

Barty_NorthVan

New Member
Apr 22, 2020
41
41
North Vancouver
My Yari did the same thing when I got it. It was sitting 10% in its travel and when I would started riding it would sag down to 50%.
I brought it in for service right away and they replace the Debonair with the 2021 version and it has been so much better ever since. It's a cheap fix that every Yari owner should do right away.
 

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