A close up shot. The difference is in the vertical ports and the tension in the shim stack. The Gold Valves allow much more oil to flow through them and that means the tension in the shim stack plays a bigger part in controling the damping (that's how they explain it in their video tape which is included with the kit). There was not a hugely dramatic improvement with the Gold Valves but the bike did handle better and it was worth the time and expense (I mean it's just not like night and day). Part of the reason there wasn't a bigger improvement (for me) was that I went one notch stiffer than normal on the shim stack (for the go-fasty racer effect) and added more oil to the forks to increase the airspring rate. So now I have a slightly stiffer ride than I would like when riding solo in anticipation of the times when I will be riding 2 up with gear. If I had left the stiffness at the normal setting, I think I would have felt the improvement was greater as I didn't get a super plush ride AND better handling, I just got the better handling.