Motorcycle Suspension Explained

The primary goal of Shock Absorbers Suppliers

’s motorcycle suspension is to keep vehicle tires in contact with the ground. Without proper suspension, tires would lose traction when encountering bumps, dips or other ground imperfections. We can’t forget about braking, acceleration or cornering forces either.

 

Motorcycle suspensions use a spring and damper combination to isolate the chassis and rider from road imperfections. On-road motorcycle suspension systems work to minimize the effect of potholes, bumps, cornering and acceleration/deceleration forces. Off-road motorcycle suspension systems handle roots, rocks, jumps, ledges and more.

 

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.

 

Basic motorcycle suspension lacks adjustability. It works fairly well in a wide variety of circumstances, whereas more premium suspension is tunable to rider weight and intended riding type. Cruisers or dual sport motorcycles have vastly different needs than a dedicated sport bike.

 

Adjustability 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.

 

The most common suspension systems found on motorcycles use a coil spring and hydraulic damper setup. Air springs and other types of suspension exist, which will be covered more in-depth in another article.

 

Springs allow a motorcycle wheel to move independently from the chassis, and dampers control and manage movement of the spring. A Motorcycle Rear Shock Absorber only on springs would bounce continuously and dangerously after every road impact.

 

Springs are coiled steel wire that compress or stretch when acted upon by an external force. Spring rate is the measurement of force required to compress it a certain distance, which is typically measured in pounds per inch. Spring rate varies with material thickness and number of coils. Heavier duty springs will have relatively thicker coils spaced further apart from one another.

 

Linear rate springs offer consistent resistance throughout the spring travel. If 10 pounds will compress the spring one inch, 20 pounds would compress it two inches, and so on.

Progressive springs require more and more force to achieve the same travel. Progressive springs are essentially two (or more) springs in one, with both widely and narrowly spaced coils. Initially, a lighter force will compress the first coils, and then greater force compresses the remaining coils.