Virtually a month in the past now YT offered an all-new Jeffsy, redefining their fashionable all-mountain motorcycle as a path motorcycle. Apparently, in a time of motorcycles getting slacker, extra modern & longer trip overhauls, the brand new third-generation Jeffsy in truth dials again its trip only a tiny bit to create a extra delicate mountain motorcycle, higher suited than ever for all-around path using. Shred native singletrack daily, nonetheless with sufficient in reserve to have amusing whilst you challenge into larger mountains or catching the occasional uplift…
Assessment: 2023 YT Jeffsy Core 5 CF carbon path mountain motorcycle
Simply prior to the legit Jeffsy release, I were given to spend a excellent little bit of time using in a couple of several types of rainy terrain in the United Kingdom on YT’s top-spec ultra-high modulus carbon path motorcycle construct – the Jeffsy Core 5 CF, at a claimed 14.8kg (32.6lb). And I got here away pondering that is about as shut as you’ll get to the ‘one motorcycle for all’ very best for the way numerous fashionable mountain bikers experience. My best query is whether or not I’d somewhat have a posh carbon motorcycle construct or the super-affordable alloy possibility?
Using impressions, aka why a path motorcycle must be your mountain motorcycle
The brand new Jeffsy is a unconditionally succesful path motorcycle. It pedals uphill as simply as you’ll hope for, with company improve at its rather deep 30% sag. And the remainder of the 145mm of 4-bar trip feels masses succesful for descending one of the most roughest trails you’re more likely to come upon. The one actual trick then, is dialing within the 150mm fork to supply the similar stability of flexibleness and improve.
That is the motorcycle YT thinks is the most efficient have compatibility for the way maximum mountain bikers in truth experience. And I will be able to undoubtedly see the place they’re coming from. We used to easily name them mountain motorcycles. Then, perhaps path motorcycles and after that, all-mountain motorcycles. However it kind of feels we’re all coming again round to path motorcycles once more. And I’m absolutely on board.
I’ve stated it prior to and it bears repeating. For those who don’t race cross-country or marathons, you most likely don’t want an ultralight XC motorcycle. For those who aren’t continuously racing enduro, you most likely don’t desire a gravity sled, both. In between are mountain motorcycles for mountain bikers. On occasion we race speedy tracks, occasionally we race difficult technical tracks. However most commonly we simply experience mountain motorcycles for amusing, and with buddies.
And Jeffsy needs to be your pal. If you will experience only one mountain motorcycle, it is a lovely cast motorcycle to achieve for.
So what’s new and why does it subject?
Whilst this third-generation Jeffsy has 5mm much less trip than gen 2, it makes up for that small aid in two tactics.
First, the path motorcycle will get some other geometry tweak, rising body Achieve by means of 5mm and transferring to a point slacker 65° headtube perspective. The remainder of Jeffsy’s geo is largely unchanged, and you continue to get the easy-to-use decrease surprise mount flip-chip to tailor the motorcycle for your private personal tastes.
The result’s a experience this is with a bit of luck strong using tough tracks, and glad to be pointed downhill.
2nd, YT’s V4L suspension has been considerably up to date with some refined transforming of its linkage to extra dramatically trade persona all through the surprise’s stroke. The suspension really feel may be very cushy and supple within the first quarter of trip. Then at 30%, it stiffens up moderately somewhat to 105% anti-squat to supply a supportive really feel that doesn’t bob underneath your weight at sag. Subsequent, a speedy lower in anti-squat lets in the motorcycle to transport via its trip with minimum pedal kickback. And after all, somewhat extra end-stroke development rises again to offer that bottomless sense the place you all the time really feel like there’s somewhat extra trip left in reserve for larger hits.
The result’s a motorbike that feels planted at the path, floating easily over the small bumps, pedaling simply, and in a position for larger hits. It’s a handy guide a rough, poppy experience really feel the place you kinda simply omit how a lot suspension there’s out again.
I additionally really feel just like the relatively much less trip is a greater have compatibility to the 150mm forks. With such a lot of fashionable mountain motorcycles getting extra succesful because of often delicate lengthy and slack geometry, it’s clean to outpace what forks of the similar trip can deal with. If the brand new Jeffsy had saved 150mm of rear wheel trip with those refinements, it almost certainly would have had to cross as much as no less than a 160mm fork, and almost certainly larger stanchions, too. That may have driven it even nearer to YT’s enduro motorcycle. And if you happen to in reality want an enduro motorcycle, why now not cross all-in and get a Capra.
New main points
In fact, we will’t omit the truth that it provides an interior glove field. In-frame garage is en style nowadays, and YT’s new Jeffsy will get in on that development. I’m individually partial to strapping a multi-tool and tire-repair spares on my path motorcycle so I will be able to experience with out the rest on my again. So, on-frame and in-frame garage are super additions in my e-book.
And the carbon Jeffsy will get it each. Out of doors, a easy pair of bolts underneath the entrance of the toptube approach you’ll mount a spares strap or a mini bolt-on instrument bag – to both the carbon or alloy Jeffsy body.
In-frame is easily thought-out too, with a safe and waterproof door that allows you to slide a few nylon & neoprene sausages full of chocolates into the body. I really like that YT’s answer is break free the bottle cage. And the usage of one bag that is going up and person who is going down within the body, there’s quite a lot of room for sporting no matter you wish to have for trailside maintenance. Plus, it by no means made any damn noise whilst using. And after I discovered the glovebox door’s latch, it was once clean to perform and stayed securely locked.
Talking of that bottle cage, why does the Thirstmaster 6000 cage go out out to the left? And why am I so conversant in pulling a bottle out of my motorcycle with my proper hand (leaving my left hand to carry onto the bar)?
YT did it to allow them to get the bottle (an the 620g of water weight) extra-low within the body. So it wanted a left go out to stay your fingers clear of the chainring, particularly whilst pedaling alongside. I’ve to confess on my massive check motorcycle, it’s farther down than I’m used to attaining on my private mountain motorcycles. And it could require getting somewhat extra versatile to get used to it.
Need to know extra in regards to the new Jeffsy mk3? Learn my complete launch-day breakdown right here.
All-new YT Jeffsy v3 parting ideas
My best actual fear with the 2023 YT Jeffsy Core 5 CF that I check rode is its worth. At $6500 / 6000€, this top class ultra-high-mod carbon motorcycle isn’t precisely inexpensive. Even supposing this can be a decent worth for a motorbike with a brand new direct-mount wi-fi SRAM X0 AXS transmission construct, Fox Manufacturing unit-level suspension, and worry-free Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro alloy wheels with speedy 90 POE Trade 9 hubs. However the attractiveness this is, the brand new Jeffsy circle of relatives is going all of the method all the way down to an entry-level-spec $2800 / 2500€ type with an aluminum body. And that alloy type options all of the suspension & geo tweaks that make the brand new Jeffsy wish to be your very best pal.
If carbon is pricing you out of a brand new do-it-all carbon path motorcycle, my private exchange pick out will be the $3300 / 3000€ Jeffsy Core 2 AL. That’s actually 1/2 the cost of the carbon motorcycle I examined, and nonetheless will get a super efficiency construct package that I wouldn’t trade the rest on. Plus, it’s actually best 700g heavier (the load of 1 complete water bottle & cage), you’ll by no means must plug it in to stay transferring, and it is available in a beautiful great-looking Frost Blue. Cross high-spec if you wish to have, however you wouldn’t do badly with a less expensive Jeffsy both.
Extra delicate as a path motorcycle as a substitute of an all-mountain motorcycle, the brand new Jeffsy is almost certainly, in reality, extra succesful than ever. It appears like a motorbike that’s faster when pedaling at the residences and uphill, but it obviously keeps its gravity-inspiration.
It’s extra of an on a regular basis mountain motorcycle, but it surely in reality remains to be probably the most amusing to experience when going downhill. And that’s kinda simply how I would like each and every mountain motorcycle to really feel.
