Keep An Eye On Your Rear Shock

[M61A1MECH]

I noticed a Nickel size spot of oil under the Venture about a week ago, at first I thought it was just a drip from the oil breather tube, but when I looked closer I found a large drop of oil on the lower arm of the rear shock. The entire lower attach point was wet with oil and there was oil under the dust cover boot. Bike is about 16 months old and only has 19,000 miles, so I was surprised (maybe not the right word), anyway took it to the dealer today, they said it was leaking profusely and would cover it on warrenty, shock should be in by end of next week and installed next Saturday. Boo for Venture rear shocks, Yeah for 5 year warrenty and good dealer service department.

Keep an eye on yours, mine is not the first one to have this problem.

[Sleeperhawk]

I noticed a Nickel size spot of oil under the Venture about a week ago, at first I thought it was just a drip from the oil breather tube, but when I looked closer I found a large drop of oil on the lower arm of the rear shock. The entire lower attach point was wet with oil and there was oil under the dust cover boot. Bike is about 16 months old and only has 19,000 miles, so I was surprised (maybe not the right word), anyway took it to the dealer today, they said it was leaking profusely and would cover it on warrenty, shock should be in by end of next week and installed next Saturday. Boo for Venture rear shocks, Yeah for 5 year warrenty and good dealer service department.

Keep an eye on yours, mine is not the first one to have this problem.

 

On my 05, I am on my 3rd shock with about 60000 miles, and I ride 2up mainly.

So far each covered under warranty.

[Ponch]

My 04 started leaking two days ago. Dealer ordered me a replacement. I'm going to install because of a two week turnaround in his service department. Glad for the warranty.

 

Ponch

[gunboat]

lucky you guys have a warranty. i have a 99 rsv and had to replace the rear shock at my own expense. while i was waiting on the shock to arrive from japan. i pulled the swingarm off and lubed everything.

don c

[V7Goose]

On my 05, I am on my 3rd shock with about 60000 miles, and I ride 2up mainly.

So far each covered under warranty.

Sleeperhawk, you better slow down, ya hear?! You're making me feel bad. I got 40,000 on my 05 (one replacement shock), and 10,000 on my 07 (still on original shock), so you're just racking up too many miles!! Stop it!

Goose

[Sleeperhawk]

Sleeperhawk, you better slow down, ya hear?! You're making me feel bad. I got 40,000 on my 05 (one replacement shock), and 10,000 on my 07 (still on original shock), so you're just racking up too many miles!! Stop it!

Goose

 

 

Love putting miles on the bike

[Mariner Fan]

Is there a certain amount of miles that people have noticed the shock going out?

[Obber]

I noticed a Nickel size spot of oil under the Venture about a week ago, at first I thought it was just a drip from the oil breather tube, but when I looked closer I found a large drop of oil on the lower arm of the rear shock. The entire lower attach point was wet with oil and there was oil under the dust cover boot. Bike is about 16 months old and only has 19,000 miles, so I was surprised (maybe not the right word), anyway took it to the dealer today, they said it was leaking profusely and would cover it on warranty, shock should be in by end of next week and installed next Saturday. Boo for Venture rear shocks, Yeah for 5 year warranty and good dealer service department.

Keep an eye on yours, mine is not the first one to have this problem.

Welcome to the" I had to replace my rear shock" club.

 

 

Had to replace my out of warranty 2 years ago.:mo money:

Had 30,000 miles on mine.

[chollahan]

I just replaced my shock on my '99 a couple of weeks ago. Had about 27k and change when it went out and leaked all over the place.

 

I was lucky, and even though it took forever to get to me, found one on ebay that I got for 75.00 off of an '05.

 

Still look every now and then on ebay and they are mostly going for 250-300 range.

[Lone Eagle]

OK - I am not mechanically inclined - as you can tell by virtue of this question. How do you know if you rear shock went out - espcially if it is holding air? I've got 27K on my bike now - just curious. I did see a small puddle a month ago - figured it came from over filling the oil during the oil change. One day I will get this figured out.

[chollahan]

Mine got to the point where the entire boot and some of the suspension arms were covered in oil. I had been under there quite a bit trying to track down an electrical problem prior to it going out, so I knew for sure what was going on when it went from dry but dirty to oily and dirty.

 

Plus, I could actually see several drops that were fixin to fall from the lower most part of the shock a couple of times.

[SaltyDawg]

OK - I am not mechanically inclined - as you can tell by virtue of this question. How do you know if you rear shock went out - espcially if it is holding air? I've got 27K on my bike now - just curious. I did see a small puddle a month ago - figured it came from over filling the oil during the oil change. One day I will get this figured out.

 

 

Go over some rail road tracks and if you get a po-go effect after then it might be bad, also the bike won't want to take a set in a sweeping corner at speed. It will want to wander around a bit on you.

 

I didn't bother with the Yamaha shock, I went to the Progressive Works shock and have been extremely happy with the performance. Expensive, but well worth it to get a shock BUILT for me, my bike, and my riding style.

[StarRider07]

I bought my 07 RSV last Sept. I too have a leaking rear shock that is getting replaced tomorrow, under warranty. I only have 10500 (6524 miles). The leak started at 4660 miles.

What I don't understand it this......................

These rear shocks have been a problem for years. Why are they still making/buying/contracting out, whatever, these same crappy shocks. These shocks are very expensive and as long as they are covered under warranty, the only problem is the inconvenience and lose of riding time.

You would think that these are costing Yamaha a bundle replacing them under warranty.

Or maybe that is why they charge so much if not under warranty.

 

I smell a class action suit for those who need a shock out of warranty. There is no way ANYONE should have to pay to replace these shocks with the history of defects.

 

Just my opinion.

[50btripn]

6500 miles on an 07 RSV...noticed it leaking oil about a month ago. Dealer checked it out/confirmed it was a bad shock. Ordered a new one and getting it replaced next week. Low miles for a brand new bike/shock...I agree, seems like they would upgrade their rear shocks.

[V7Goose]

What I don't understand it this......................

These rear shocks have been a problem for years. Why are they still making/buying/contracting out, whatever, these same crappy shocks. These shocks are very expensive and as long as they are covered under warranty, the only problem is the inconvenience and lose of riding time.

You would think that these are costing Yamaha a bundle replacing them under warranty.

Or maybe that is why they charge so much if not under warranty.

 

I smell a class action suit for those who need a shock out of warranty. There is no way ANYONE should have to pay to replace these shocks with the history of defects.

 

Just my opinion.

I completely agree with all you said. No excuse for Yamaha to continue with this weak link in their premier touring bike - oh wait, since they don't advertise the best touring bike made, I guess they don't give a sh*t about it! My bad ... (same thing goes for the whine that afflicts a small but persistent number of these engines).

Goose

[Guest cyote61]

I completely agree with all you said. No excuse for Yamaha to continue with this weak link in their premier touring bike - oh wait, since they don't advertise the best touring bike made, I guess they don't give a sh*t about it! My bad ... (same thing goes for the whine that afflicts a small but persistent number of these engines).

Goose

 

Who's whining, the rider or the bike. Get a real bike Bubba.