Submitted by
ChiliPepper1
a Downhiller
from Space Coast, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2009
Strengths: Simply put, this is a bomb proof frame and has handled anything I have thrown at it, from gnarly fast and furious DH run to hucking it off 15' to 20' drops. Mine was custom built by a pro racing mechanic so it did not have all the stock components. I elected to go with a single crown 180mm travel fork, but do have the heavy 203mm travel 888 dual crown fork (not a Boxxer fan). If you want reliability and a great ride without the hefty coin, then this is the ride for you.
Weaknesses: None that I have noticed, but of course I never had the stock components either.
Bottom Line:
Handles anything you throw at it and rides just as great as the Sunday!! Single pivot design is a rock solid performance on this sled. Awesome price for such a great rig. Too bad they did discontinue this design.
Favorite Trail: Santos (anything rough and extreme)
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Purchased At: Racing buddy of mine
Similar Products Used: IH Aniki, Sinister R9
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Submitted by
neil the weak
a Downhiller
from scotland
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008
Strengths: This is a review of the 06 (blue) bike.
Suspension action. The bike gives a truly fun engaging ride, the right amount of feedback through the single pivot, while remaining supple and it jumps and unweights easily.
Low(ish) BB height - feels stable and corners well, it loves tighter technical terrain.
Relatively light frameset, can easily be built into a lighter racier bike down the line though though if you wait for the stock components to wear out, you could be waiting a while.. Seems tough too, I've crashed mine a fair bit and it's still holding together so far.
Weaknesses: Stock fork is by all accounts, not great (jnr T) though I traded mine out right at the start.
Stock spring would probably be too soft for larger riders (300lb), but was perfect for me and hey, it's a cheap change.
Stock wheelset that came with mine was Super heavy, though in fairness, also indestructable.
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike about a year and a half now, and get more and more impressed with it as time goes on. I'm a smalller (70kgish) rider and mainly use it for out and out downhill at innerleithen, fort william etc, but have also taken it on more enduro downhill type rides in the past and with lighter wheels and tires it feels more than up to that type of riding too. It's great fun to ride, feels easy to throw around and seems almost perfect for UK type downhilling through more technical wooded courses.
There probably are better bikes for super high speed descending and big drops, but I've had mine down the new Fort Bill in 6 and a bit minutes and it handles all the drops at inners just fine, it's always me that's the limiting factor rather than the bike so far. Similarly, I suspect something on a fancy linkage might feel a little more plush or track a little better, but I really like feel of the single pivot not to mention the simplicity and reliability of the system - still have not had to replace bearings on mine and it shoud be easy when i finally do.
Big hit Freeriders might do better to look elsewhere, but if you prefer speed to hucking, you'd struggle to do much better at the price I think.
Strengths: The bike as a whole is pretty much indestructible. The parts list that comes with it is great. After numerous hard falls and tumbles down mountains, all I have to do is pick the bike up and keep riding. SRAM drive train is a huge plus! Simple effective 3.thirteen chain guide that will not break no matter how many times I hit it.
Weaknesses: I'm not a real big fan of the swinger 4 way, its a good shock to keep the price of the bike down, but it just doesn't seem to have the right feel to it, even after being set up by professional riders. The Hayes brakes aren't the best, I broke one of them in a crash and the other in a different crash.
Bottom Line:
For my first down hill bike, this was by far the best bargain. Every one at the local club loved the bike and components and how it rode. The single pivot design is simple and effective.
After owning it for over a year the swinger 4 way seals have gone bad and it leaks air.
The wheel set is great too, very strong, stay true, and spin for ever!
I picked this bike up and was hoping to race in the spring of this year. I placed first in a couple local races and did well at Sea Otter. Only being 42 pounds is nice, and it'd be easy to get it under 40. Defiantly a bike I will have for a long time to come
Bike Setup: Switched out the pedals for soljam vipers, put ODI lock ons on it, switched the tires out to 2.35 nevegal up front and a 2.35 minion in the back, every thing else is stock.
Strengths: This is the best bike ever for the money. The frame soaks up everything that you throw at it. It's weight is hefty at about 46 lbs but its for DH not XC. The chain has never come off with the super light lg1 chainguide and the rear suspension is great. Nothing has ever broken. even after many crashes -corners and handles like a sunday, really!
Weaknesses: i dont like the boxxer so i got a 888rc2xVA and its a little heavier but is much more plush -x7 is really bad-
Weaknesses: 1.5 headtube, because it pain to find a good reducing headset, reducer cups creek a lot, and either wy if you need a new headset, it will cost a lot
Bottom Line:
great frame, im not sure about the components, but from what i know about them, they are very good, some of them ive ridden or own, and they are great
Strengths: Cheap, good parts spec, simple design, perfect geometry, great company.
Weaknesses: Bearing play issues (resolved with some help from IH, see thread in the forum), Swinger 4 way.
Bottom Line:
Perfect first race bike. This is probably the best value in DH. Even going used you're going to have trouble finding a race worthy rig for 1500, and you don't get a warranty. If you're looking to be the only guy at the mountain with your particular bike, look elsewhere. If you want a cheap bike that can compete out of the box, that is low, slack, long and rips twisty trails like a guided missile, pick one up. It was my first season racing and I ended up placing 1st in the series for beginners. I've been very happy with mine, and it's a damn shame that IH has discontinued the model.
Strengths: Solid as hell. Take crazy corner like nothing.
Weaknesses: Not real fond of the Boxxer front shock. Sucks to get front tire off and on. Wish it had a little bit lower gear for the small climbs at the park.
Bottom Line:
Great bike worth every penny. Can't beat components for the price.
Similar Products Used: Giant faith 2, Specialized rock hopper,
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Tim
a Downhiller
from Roanoke Virginia
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2007
Strengths: The frame, the drive train, the E13 chain guide, the cranks, the Wellgo pedals, the RAM shifters, the Hayes Hydraulic brakes, the wheelset...all stock stuff and work really well...you'll see the same stuff on bikes that cost double what this one runs
Weaknesses: The biggest gripe I had was the seat...just way uncomfortable..a Bel Air "I beam" type seat and dedicated post. I've heard these are fairly price-y, but I switched it out with a specialized seat and standard type post. The grips were pretty crappy too, they're gone. The wtb tires weren't bad, but I like Intense FRO's that's what I put on it. The stock fork was a Marzo Super T, and that was switched to a Fox 40 RC2 that was on Bullit that I sold.
Bottom Line:
I've owned the bike now for about 3 months and it just gets better with age. As other reviewers have pointed out, the faster you go, the better it handles, and I totally agree.
Obviously, it's not a V-10, or an Intense M3, but it is without a doubt a full-on DH rig for sure. Rips through rough rocky sections with ease, very stable in the air, takes big hits like a champ. It is a single pivot, but brake jack basically isn't there.
It rails turns and just loves to go fast. This is just my second season of DH, and I'm riding faster than ever due the confidence inspiring handling of this bike.
It will make you a better rider, and you will still have enough money for lift tickets! You simply will not find a bike that comes close for this kind of money.
Yes, some of the pivot bolts work loose, and the bolt that holds by cranks together tends to "back out" during hard DH riding, but they are minor issues.
It's nice and heavy with a nice steep rake. The 45" wheelbase is great. It's a dedicated gravity machine, so XC and "all mountain" fans need not apply. The only way it goes up hill easily in on the lift chair behind you!
You will see a lot of elite class racers on them nowadays...theytotally rock and cost 80% less than a high-end DH bike!
Similar Products Used: Kona Stinky Primo, Kona Stab Deluxe, Specialized Bighit, Specialized Demo 9, Santa Cruz Bullit.
Bike Setup: Please be advised, this review is for the Yakuza Kumicho DH, not the type R. The type R has the same frame but with slightly higher end components...basically the same bike though.
Strengths: TONS of travel and a nice parts spec for the price. It is so easy to go fast cause it inspires so much confidence and it is bullet proof.
Weaknesses: A little heavey (my large is 45lb), but hey its a downhill bike. Im goin to get hurt doing crzy things on this bike
Bottom Line:
This bike is sick!!period. Though its heavy, it catches air so easily and makes the gnarliest rock gardens feel like silk. As said below the faster you go the better it feels. It is great for riders like me who aren't quite ready to spend $3000 and up. This is a great bike bar none!
Bike Setup: stock, but im goin to change out the pedals realy soon
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Submitted by
Clay
a Downhiller
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2007
Strengths: Beefy, plush, incredible parts spec, and light.
Weaknesses: Pivot hardware issues.
Bottom Line:
This is the best deal in downhill at the moment. It rails corners, eats rocks, and inspires confidence. The faster you go the better it feels.
8x8, 41lbs, slack, low and slick.
The pivot hardware often comes too long so the bearings dont get loaded properly. It is an easy fix if you know how to use a file, but just make sure there is no play after every ride. Same goes for any bike, and the Yakuza is made easier cause there is only 1 bolt to check.
I can feel myself getting faster riding this bike. Sections where I once grabbed handfuls of brake I can float right through.
This bike has plenty of seat tube so it can be pedaled on flat, but it DOES NOT CLIMB. Be prepared to push, but trust me, its worth it.
Strengths: Frame, Fork, Brakes, and the whole package in general. The rims are also very nice, I hammer mine over rough rock sections and have yet to mess a rim up. Also the hubs are amazing, they spin so well its amazing
Weaknesses: Maybe the rear shock, would've liked something a little different, but its still a great set up. grips need to be replaced. The placement of the rear deralliure cable is a little goofy and needs to be moved to the out side, but thats easy
Bottom Line:
After searching around for 3 months, this is the best bike for the money you'll spend. My whole club was suprised when I rolled in on it, they though I payed 1600 for the frame, not the whole deal. This is my first DH bike, but its a great bike. Easy to use, tune, keep clean, and will always come back asking for more
