Fake Yonex Black Bg80 Power: Identifying Authentic Strings & Rackets

If your Yonex BG80 Powers are flimsy with a smooth texture, chances are they’re fake. Fake products tend to break more quickly, and having durable strings and equipment in badminton is crucial. If your strings or racket turn out to be fake, it can reduce your performance and be the difference between a win and a loss. To help you figure out how to identify fake BG80 Powers, we’ve put together this article. Read on to learn how to identify fake Yonex rackets, learn why the pros prefer the BG80, and more.

Fake Yonex Black BG80 Power: 5 Signs It’s Fake

Packaging: The package doesn’t have a dedicated opening.
Texture: Smooth and soft strings are an indicator that your BG80 Power is fake.
Colors: Your BG80 Power is colored in a shade that’s not featured on the website.
Branding: The ‘YY’ and ‘YONEX’ branding is misplaced and misshapen.
Sticker: The holographic sticker on the racket is easy to pull off.

Section 1 of 8:

Signs of Fake Yonex Black BG80 Power Strings

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On authentic Yonex Black BG80 Power strings, the strings tend to be hard and rough with a grippy feel. Fake Yonex Black BG80 Power strings tend to feel smooth, similar to a fishing line or optic cables. So, if your strings are flimsy and smooth, they’re most likely fake.^{[1]
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The package housing real Yonex Black BG80 Power strings have a dedicated opening for the strings, while the package for fake Yonex Black BG80 Power strings does not. If you’re forced to rip open your package because there’s no actual opening, there’s a good chance it’s fake.

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Color that isn't actually sold by Yonex. Many counterfeit BG80 Power strings are sold in colors that aren’t sold by Yonex. Check their website to make sure the color that you’re looking to get your hands on is actually available. If it’s not sold by them or a reputable retailer, the product may be fake.
- Some Yonex string colors are only available in certain regions.
- Asia has a larger selection of colors because there is a larger demand for strings in the region.
Yonex products tend to be on the more expensive end, so coming across a listing that has BG80 Power strings for $5 or $10 is a strong indicator that the product is counterfeit. Suspiciously low prices or prices that seem too good to be true are often counterfeit, especially on sites with third-party sellers.^{[2]
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Pay attention to the seller’s reputation by checking their page and other sold items. Look for typos, misspellings, or improper labeling, as they’re all indicators of a fake product. If their products have poor reviews or the seller doesn’t have a history of selling products, be wary, as the BG80 Power that you’re looking at may be fake.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 8:

Signs of an Authentic Yonex Racket

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Check the Yonex website and make sure the price of the racket you’re looking to purchase has a price similar to that of authentic Yonex rackets. New Yonex rackets tend to go for anywhere from $200 to $300, so if you see a listing that advertises a new Yonex racket that’s going for $60, chances are it’s too good to be true.
The butt cap of an authentic Yonex racket always comes in a forest green shade. Compare the shade of your racket to one that you know is authentic. Counterfeit rackets come in lighter and darker shades of green, so make sure the racket colors match up to avoid buying a fake.^{[4]
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Counterfeit logos tend to be blurry and printed in the wrong place. The ‘YY’ lettering on the butt tends to be misplaced with smaller outlines, while the ‘YONEX’ & ‘YY’ lettering on the shaft are often misplaced and tend to be thinner than the authentic Yonex branding.^{[5]
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Laser engraved serial number. Genuine Yonex rackets feature two serial numbers: one on the shaft and the other on the cone. The number on the shaft increases with every racket that’s manufactured. The number on the cone has the production date in DDMMYXCC format. Check that both numbers are there and laser engraved to verify the authenticity of your racket.
- Inauthentic serial numbers are typically bright white and look printed onto the racket rather than engraved.^{[6]
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- The DD and MM represent the date and month your racket was produced.
Underneath the factory grip, there should be a product barcode that lists the racket’s model code, weight, and grip size. Check that the barcode lists the proper information to verify its authenticity.^{[7]
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Genuine Yonex rackets come with hologram stickers that are usually located on the butt. These hologram stickers are tough to peel off, thanks to the glue that is used. Counterfeit models have a hard time replicating this glue, so if your hologram sticker is tough to peel off, chances are you’re holding an authentic product.^{[8]
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Section 3 of 8:

Are fake Yonex rackets good for beginners?

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The quality difference between real and fake Yonex rackets is massive. They are both functional when it comes to delivering a birdie across the net, but fake rackets are quick to break and fall apart. Since you’re still learning the game, go with a lower-end name-brand racket rather than a fake racket to avoid risking quality.^{[9]
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Section 4 of 8:

What’s the difference between the BG80 Power and the BG80?

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The BG80 Power adds more power to soft hits than the BG80 does. The BG80 Power is a bit softer than the BG80, providing more repulsion power, so softer hits are still powerful. The BG80 Power typically withstands higher tensions than the BG80, making it a bit more versatile in that regard. The BG80 Power tends to be more forgiving for players, assisting them through the repulsion power.^{[10]
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- The BG80 Power is a 7 on the durability scale, while the BG80 is a 6.

Section 5 of 8:

Why do so many pros use BG80?

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The BG80’s hard feeling gives a sharp crack when you hit a feather. The hard feeling of the BG80 makes it ideal for pros who are looking to emphasize the strength of their hit. The lack of repulsive string makes the BG80 easier to control than other rackets, which also makes it useful for people who play at a higher level. It is used by pros like Lin Dan, Viktor Axelsen, and Yugo Kobayashi.^{[11]
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- If you string your BG80 over 6, it isn’t going to last very long.

Section 6 of 8:

How long does BG80 Power last?

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There are various factors at play, but the BG80 typically lasts 2-3 months. How long your BG80 lasts depends on how often you use your racket, how hard your hits are, the string tension, and other factors. However, typically, the BG80 lasts for two to three months. While the durability of the BG80 is fair, it is lower than other Yonex models.^{[12]
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- Playing with sliced strokes can cause your strings to break faster.
- Storing your racket in a cold or dry place can shorten the strings’ lifespan.

Section 7 of 8:

How to Maintain Your Racket & Strings

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Restring your racket every few months and avoid bending or throwing it. As you play badminton matches, your strings will become worn and lose tension. As your string loses tension, you will lose control and your hits will become less powerful. To maintain your strings, restring your racket once or twice a year if you’re a casual player, every 3-4 months if you play regularly, and every 1-2 months if you play competitively. Avoid being careless with your racket. Don’t bend or throw it, as that can damage the frame.^{[13]
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- Stringing your racket to a high tension will cause it to degrade faster.
- If your string breaks, get it restrung immediately.

Section 8 of 8:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Immediately get in touch with Yonex or the retailer from which you bought your racket and tell them the details. To avoid counterfeits, purchase your racket from a reputable retailer.
Yes, Yonex rackets have a specific color on the butt cap. Authentic models are always forest green, while fakes are usually a lighter or darker tone of green.
Yonex rackets have two specific serial numbers. The first, located on the racket’s shaft, increases with each racket that’s produced. The second, located on the cone, displays the date, month, and year of production. If either of these numbers are off, that can indicate your racket is fake.
No. While high-end Yonex rackets are manufactured and tested in Japan, lower-end models tend to be produced in Taiwan and manufactured in China.