Question s1 rear shock what to buy

[loud_bird]

I am hoping to get a new rear suspension. Something that will be the smoothest and maintainable.​

​

Ohlins STX46 Street Rear Shock Yamaha FZ6 2004-2009 ​

Ohlins Yamaha FZ6 04-07 S46ER1 Shock​

OHLINS YA 403 S46DR1​

Penske 8975 Street Shock-Yamaha FZ6/6R​

GEARS YAMAHA FZ6N/FZ6 S/FZ6 S1/FZ6 S2 H2P Rear Suspension​

 

[grcamna7]

I ordered a Hyperpro 460 Emulsion rear shock($650)for my FZ6.
I don't have a shop and the weather has kept me from installing it,but it's next on the list.

 

[Gary in NJ]

If your OEM shock is worn, then a new shock will improve ride and handling. I have the YA403 and think it’s an improvement. Almost any aftermarket shock will be an improvement from the OEM emulsion shock…however the question is it a $600-$1,000 improvement? The OEM shock on my second FZ6 is not worn…and I have to say that the Ohlins is not $600 better. My OEM shock was worn so it was money well spent…but not worth it over a good OEM shock

 

[grahammarsden]

I swapped the OEM rear shock on my FZ6-S for a YSS one which is good enough for my needs without being overly expensive. I don't need to be able to tweak rebound or compression damping etc regularly, I just wanted something I could set up and forget.

www.brooksuspension.co.uk/motorcycle-shock-absorbers/yamaha-fz6-600-fazer-yss-mz456-shock-absorber-04-10

The best thing I can say about it is I don't really notice it, it does the job and keeps the bike planted without being too soft or overly harsh or making you feel like you're riding a pogo stick!

BTW you may find removing the original one difficult because the "sleeve" at the bottom gets stuck. Here's how I got mine out: foc-u.co.uk/mybb/showthread.php?tid=81683

 

[trepetti]

I put the STX46 on a few years ago and I think it's terrific. I got a great deal on it when I purchased it. To Gary's point, I am not convinced that I would spend a whole lot of money for a replacement today. For example, my FJR1300 has a leaking rear shock and I replaced it with a YSS for a little over $300. It too is a significant improvement over the worn OEM unit. If the OEM on the bike is worn, almost any replacement will put a smile on your face.

 

[trepetti]

....oops. And not that is matters, but I installed the 403 S46ER1, not the STX46.

​

 

[loud_bird]

....oops. And not that is matters, but I installed the 403 S46ER1, not the STX46.

​

So, yours has the "external hose-mounted reservoir and dividing piston" ? I was curious, how is that mounted on your frame?

 

[grcamna7]

I swapped the OEM rear shock on my FZ6-S for a YSS one which is good enough for my needs without being overly expensive. I don't need to be able to tweak rebound or compression damping etc regularly, I just wanted something I could set up and forget.

www.brooksuspension.co.uk/motorcycle-shock-absorbers/yamaha-fz6-600-fazer-yss-mz456-shock-absorber-04-10

The best thing I can say about it is I don't really notice it, it does the job and keeps the bike planted without being too soft or overly harsh or making you feel like you're riding a pogo stick!

BTW you may find removing the original one difficult because the "sleeve" at the bottom gets stuck. Here's how I got mine out: foc-u.co.uk/mybb/showthread.php?tid=81683

I certainly understand what you wrote about "making you feel like you're riding a pogo stick!" This stock Yamaha rear shock on my S2(19000 orig miles)is like that.
I regularly ride on old I80W and there's a certain Raised expansion joint going toward/into Sacramento in the far left lane ! If I'm going 80mph or above,and I hit That !! the back-end jumps UP and it's 'No Day in The Park' ! I'll just leave the rest to your imagination !

 

[trepetti]

So, yours has the "external hose-mounted reservoir and dividing piston" ? I was curious, how is that mounted on your frame?

No, mine has no external reservior.

 

[tuning-forks]

....oops. And not that is matters, but I installed the 403 S46ER1, not the STX46.

​

It's both! The STX46 is a series. Some are internal reservoir and some external, depending on the specific bike. In our case (403 S46ER1), it's internal reservoir.

 

[loud_bird]

So I ended up trying out the gears racing shock and it does not fit.

Proton Drive

Securely store, share, and access your important files and photos. Anytime, anywhere.

drive.proton.me

They've been in contact and recommended shaving off some of the swing arm weld but that doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Here is the email thread with my hosted images and videos.

Would you shave off some welding to make a rear shock fit?

Email::
On Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 11:13 PM Gears Racing <[email protected]> wrote:
The aluminum weld on the swingarm base may be thicker on some bikes, which can cause the mounting holes to not align properly.
In this case, it may be necessary to carefully grind a small amount of the weld bead on the swingarm to create sufficient clearance.
Please remove only a minimal amount of material to allow proper alignment.

Gears Racing <[email protected]>：
Hello,
Yes, I understand clearly. I was just making an additional confirmation.
We have sold more than 20 sets of this model, and so far we have not encountered this issue. At the moment, we are checking with the dealer regarding the installation method.
Once we receive feedback or any updates, we will get back to you immediately.
Thank you for your patience.

Me：
what are you talking about? the REB adjustment isnt the issue. have you seen the images and watched the video? the bottom mounting holes do not align. This does not fit because the REB housing is too large

On Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 10:21 PM Gears Racing <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello, may I ask if the lower REB cannot reach the threaded hole?

Me：
Could I remove some of the back side of the spring to make room? if not, please can i have a refund because this doesn't fit a 2006 S1 as claimed.

On Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 12:38 PM I wrote:




This file share includes videos of it not fitting:

Proton Drive

Securely store, share, and access your important files and photos. Anytime, anywhere.

drive.proton.me

On Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 2:50 AM Gears Racing <[email protected]> wrote:
Do you have a photo you can share?

Me：
Thanks. Should the rebound adjustment screw be facing the front or the back? Currently, the opposite side, of the rebound adjustment, is hitting the swing arm so it cannot mount.

 

[grahammarsden]

If they said it would fit my bike, but it doesn't, I'd send it back for a refund.

No way would I start grinding bits off!

 

[grcamna7]

If they said it would fit my bike, but it doesn't, I'd send it back for a refund.

No way would I start grinding bits off!

Definitely.

 

[loud_bird]

Yeah.. I agree and asked for a refund but idk if they understand.

email thread update::

Hello,


I'm not sure you have read my last email. As we have concluded: your shock, DOES NOT FIT. I would like to RETURN it for a REFUND.
Hide quoted text

On Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 2:54 AM Gears Racing <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,

Thank you for your message.

After checking with several installation shops, we found that this situation can occasionally occur due to factory tolerances on the swingarm welds. It is not very common, but it has happened before on some bikes.

When this occurs, the usual solution is to slightly modify or grind the weld bead on the swingarm to create the necessary clearance for proper alignment.

We understand your concern and truly appreciate your patience. Please let us know if you need any further assistance during the installation.

Thank you.


Me：
I don't see how modifying my factory weld is a good idea. Your rear shock does not fit as advertised. You could update the design so this REB rear housing isn't protruding into the swing arm and I would consider the updated model. But. I would like a refund/return for this defective item.

 

[grcamna7]

You never installed or rode on that new rear shock;they owe you a return/refund because the unit does not fit.
You will need some type of legal leverage to convince them not to take your $.

I've been dealing with this online thievery alot lately:criminals who want to convince a buyer 'You bought it',tough luck.
Defective means Defective,and it's not up to the buyer to re-engineer a 'fix'

 

[loud_bird]

There may be a language barrier, so I'll reiterate my want to return and see where they go. That's a good call. If they don't respond favorably, I will look into using legal actions. Im not sure how much a legal action would do because this company is based in Taiwan and I'm in the USA. But i think that could with maybe the CC company refunding me.

 

[Gary in NJ]

So it's Yamaha's fault because they aren't able to reproduce hundreds of thousands of components in a repeatable fashion. But our shock company - that no one has ever heard of - is able to get components from many sources in China that are amazingly consistent. Insane.

As you suspected you will likely need your credit card company to intervene to get a refund.

Ohlin's are expensive...but buy once, cry once.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Put a hold / dispute immediately on the credit card.

Doesn't cost anything, save all your e-mails, etc to forward to your CC company .

.

 

[tuning-forks]

From a safety/legal perspective, suggesting someone grind down a weld on the swingarm seems a bit sketchy. Just something for your notes in case things escalate.