Springs allow a motorcycle wheel to move independently from the chassis, and dampers control and manage movement of the spring. Air springs and other types of suspension exist, which will be covered more in-depth in another article. The most common suspension systems found on motorcycles use a coil spring and hydraulic damper setup. Cruisers or dual sport motorcycles have vastly different needs than a dedicated sport bike.Īdjustability can include ride height (under load), fine tuning how quickly springs compress or rebound as well as preloading spring tension to accommodate differing weight for different riding styles, such as riding with a passenger and/or luggage. It works fairly well in a wide variety of circumstances, whereas more premium suspension is tunable to rider weight and intended riding type. Without suspension, any impact between a vehicle tire and a ground imperfection is at best uncomfortable, and at worst, the cause of a dangerous crash.īasic motorcycle suspension lacks adjustability. Off-road motorcycle suspension systems handle roots, rocks, jumps, ledges and more. On-road motorcycle suspension systems work to minimize the effect of potholes, bumps, cornering and acceleration/deceleration forces. Motorcycle suspensions use a spring and damper combination to isolate the chassis and rider from road imperfections. We can’t forget about braking, acceleration or cornering forces either. Without proper suspension, tires would lose traction when encountering bumps, dips or other ground imperfections. The primary goal of motorcycle suspension is to keep vehicle tires in contact with the ground.

Keep reading to learn all about motorcycle suspension systems and how this knowledge can apply to a career in the industry: Motorcycle Suspension Explained However, knowing how your suspension is set up, how it affects your riding and how to make adjustments is a great first step to fully understanding your bike and how to keep it in pristine condition. Today’s bikes are more complex than ever, and understanding how the suspension of your motorcycle works may seem like an intimidating task at first. However, with these new advancements come challenges for those who work on two-wheelers, whether it be as a hobby or for those who are full-time motorcycle technicians.

The motorcycle industry is constantly evolving, which brings exciting new features to the bikes we know and love.

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