akrievins
New member
I hear so much about this suspension upgrade for 02-03 Vipers, but what really is involved?
Is it brand new shocks, a Yamaha recall, or a re-valve?
How would I know if this has been done?
Thanks.
Is it brand new shocks, a Yamaha recall, or a re-valve?
How would I know if this has been done?
Thanks.
yamaholic22
Active member
It is a service bulletin/special program for '02 viper owners that were unhappy with the ride of their viper in stock suspension form. You would bring in your 4 shocks, and they would give you a set of 4 new ones which had much softer valving in them. Most dealers would take your shocks in exchange, some let you keep them. The program was only 189.00 bucks for four shocks, so it was a real steal of a deal. Really made a huge difference in ride quality. The valving was much more compliant, and was still stiff enough for 99.5% of riders, no matter how aggressive they tell you they ride.
akrievins
New member
Thanks for that! What about on the 2003's?
I think that the 2003s had the corrected/ different set up.
I just picked up a set of 2002 rear shocks from a local dealer for $100.00.
When I get ready to install them, I plan on sending them to Pioneer performace for the updated kit.
2datrl
I just picked up a set of 2002 rear shocks from a local dealer for $100.00.
When I get ready to install them, I plan on sending them to Pioneer performace for the updated kit.
2datrl
journeyman
Active member
I didn't have to bring in my 4 shocks. I brought in the whole sled and they installed the shocks for the $189.00. If the dealers made you do it yourself ,they were not being honest. Yamaha covered the labor too. My dealer also let me keep the old shocks and I sold them on here and actually was money ahead.
bullitin was only on 02 vipers.
Concept Carbon
New member
i was told by my dealer that it is no longer avialable, bu there is a link expalianing itshock link
yamaholic22
Active member
You're right it is no longer available, but a few dealers still have a couple update shock packages sitting around. They just can't get them from yamaha anymore and yamaha wont reimburse them for the labor anymore.
Viper-Rules!
New member
2003 were covered too!
in 2003 there were two setups. The red vipers er's had the softer updated version and the blue ones had the outragous stiff valve shocks. I bought a left over 03 blue non er and drove it a few hundred miles and almost died. The suspension was way too stiff. I took it back to my dealer and they installed the updated version that was put on the 02's. Made a hell of a difference and it was all covered under warranty.
in 2003 there were two setups. The red vipers er's had the softer updated version and the blue ones had the outragous stiff valve shocks. I bought a left over 03 blue non er and drove it a few hundred miles and almost died. The suspension was way too stiff. I took it back to my dealer and they installed the updated version that was put on the 02's. Made a hell of a difference and it was all covered under warranty.
n2oiroc
New member
i think the updated rears are pretty decent. i think the fronts are WAY too soft though.
akrievins
New member
Did Viper ER's ever come out in blue? If so, which year(s)?
Viper-Rules! said:in 2003 there were two setups. The red vipers er's had the softer updated version and the blue ones had the outragous stiff valve shocks. I bought a left over 03 blue non er and drove it a few hundred miles and almost died. The suspension was way too stiff. I took it back to my dealer and they installed the updated version that was put on the 02's. Made a hell of a difference and it was all covered under warranty.
Viper-Rules!
New member
Blue er's!
No blue ones never come from the factory with electric or reverse. Alot of dealers added it on though for factory pricing to move the blue ones. I had reverse put on before I took it home.
No blue ones never come from the factory with electric or reverse. Alot of dealers added it on though for factory pricing to move the blue ones. I had reverse put on before I took it home.
akrievins
New member
Some of you have said the 03's need the upgrade, and some say it came with it? Can anyone clarify this?
Viper-Rules!
New member
2003 shocks!
If you have an orginal red viper er, it came with the soft upgraded marsh-mellow shocks. If you have an orginal blue viper it came with the hard ditch banging 02 setup. Hope that helps!
If you have an orginal red viper er, it came with the soft upgraded marsh-mellow shocks. If you have an orginal blue viper it came with the hard ditch banging 02 setup. Hope that helps!
akrievins
New member
I ended up getting a 2003 blue viper. Some posts say that the recall was on 02's only, and some say that it was fixed for 03. Is there anyway I can look at my shocks to know if they have been changed?
03 vipers ride fine, no need to change the shocks. if you want to make it work better, go to the faq section and read how to make it better and not break.
Had the replacements put on in 02.
Just bought an original (stiff) set and put them on...there were numbers stamped into the shocks just below the lower bolt hole....not sure if that is a way to tell the dif. or not.
BUT,...one thing that is visibly different is the center shock spring.
the replacement set has a center shock spring that has the coils evenly spaced, while the stiff set will have a tightly coiled section 1/3 of the way and then the coils get wider @ the top...dual rate???
the front springs are stiffer on the originals, but you'd have to have both sets to see that because they look the same.
Just bought an original (stiff) set and put them on...there were numbers stamped into the shocks just below the lower bolt hole....not sure if that is a way to tell the dif. or not.
BUT,...one thing that is visibly different is the center shock spring.
the replacement set has a center shock spring that has the coils evenly spaced, while the stiff set will have a tightly coiled section 1/3 of the way and then the coils get wider @ the top...dual rate???
the front springs are stiffer on the originals, but you'd have to have both sets to see that because they look the same.
Viper-Rules!
New member
I bought an 03 viper blue!
I totally disagree with you guys. In 2003 there were two setups. Red vipers had the soft marshmellow shocks and the blue ones had the super stiff shocks that were put in the 02 vipers. Yamaha did this to give people a choice in 03. I weigh 175 Ibs and had to have the shocks switched in my 03, since they were way too stiff for me.
I totally disagree with you guys. In 2003 there were two setups. Red vipers had the soft marshmellow shocks and the blue ones had the super stiff shocks that were put in the 02 vipers. Yamaha did this to give people a choice in 03. I weigh 175 Ibs and had to have the shocks switched in my 03, since they were way too stiff for me.
yox185
VIP Member
Viper Setup
The 03 Vipers all had the updated shocks. And the ER model did come in blue.
The 03 Vipers all had the updated shocks. And the ER model did come in blue.
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Canuck
New member
The 03 ER's had the soft shocks like the 02 update shocks. The non-ER 03's had revalved shocks that were softer than the original 02's but a bit firmer than the update shocks. Hope that makes sense.