YSS Fork Cartridge Kit Review: Upgrading the Honda CRF300L Rally’s Suspension

The Honda CRF300L Rally’s stock suspension is notorious for its soft rear shock, which causes the bike to bounce off its kickstand and topple over every time the rider dismounts. That issue was solved by swapping in a YSS MG456 reservoir shock sprung for 220 pounds, installed nine months ago.

Now, the front end gets the same treatment with the YSS Fork Cartridge Kit CO208-900TRC-01 from Thailand, supplied by EPM Performance in New Jersey. This $689 kit replaces the stock damper rods with a fully adjustable active damping system.

Specially designed fork caps let riders tune spring preload, rebound damping, and compression damping, while fork springs are matched to the rider’s weight. The kit is specific to the Honda CRF300L and CRF300L Rally and raises the front of the Rally by about half an inch, increasing the already tall seat height.

Installation is not trivial: it requires separating the fork tube from the axle lug, a process that even experienced suspension shops found tricky. Honda does not condone this separation, and the risk of stripping threads on the fork tubes is real.

One installer in Portland, Oregon, ended up scraping off half an inch of threads on the left fork tube, forcing a $600 replacement. Once installed, the benefits are clear.

Front brake dive is dramatically reduced, making the bike feel more planted under hard braking. Off-road, handlebar buffeting is smoothed out, deflecting off rocks becomes easier, and the front tire tracks more precisely in rough terrain.

Low jumps land with control, without bouncing or bottoming out. On twisty roads, the front end feels stable with no delay or sloppiness.

Even at freeway speeds of 70 mph, the Rally feels surprisingly stable, with three hours of riding feeling nearly as composed as the Ultimate Motorcycling Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike. The kit’s $689 MSRP plus installation costs is justified for riders who push the CRF300L Rally hard in rough terrain or spend long days off-road.

For commuters or casual gravel riders, the benefits may not outweigh the expense and installation risks. For those serious about suspension performance, pairing the YSS Fork Cartridge Kit with the YSS MG456 reservoir shock transforms the CRF300L Rally into a far more controlled and predictable machine.