Öhlins Racing have revealed an exciting new range of products for Hypersport, Adventure, Harley Davidson and Motocross machines at this year’s EICMA show in Milan. The iconic gold and yellow suspension units also featured on many of the ‘stars’ of the show, including the new Honda Fireblade SP.
The entire product range has been designed and developed using Öhlins years of experience – from offering maximum performance from the innovative MotoGP derived TTX GP shock, to providing ultimate comfort on the road with the new FKC 101 Fork Cartridge Kit for Harley Davidson’s; the new range continues to offer the quality expect from the Swedish brand.
With unrivalled success in the premier class of motorcycle racing, the MotoGP World Championship, Öhlins have used this knowledge to develop their latest hypersport and sport bike shock absorber, the TTX GP. Featuring a number of considerable developments over its predecessor, the shock enables an even wider range of compression and rebound damping adjustment, with additional improvements to both precision and consistency of performance.
A new damping adjustment needle offers improved guidance and modified flow restriction behaviour which provides a much improved chassis feedback while control and traction are also improved by a new main piston. The shock continues to use Öhlins proven twin tube design TTX, which allows the TTX GP to use lower gas pressures and eliminate the risk of oil foaming (cavitation). Both ride height and spring preload are fully adjustable, allowing ideal set up for every combination of rider and machine.
Öhlins have also announced a pair of advanced Suspension Control Units, designed specifically for two of the world’s most powerful Superbike machines, the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and the 2013-2014 MV Agusta F4 RR. Both units offer a ‘plug and play’ fitment, working with the bikes original electronically controlled equipment to further enhance the machines performance.
The ZX-10R unit will give racers and track day riders more confidence by modifying the steering dampers behaviour, allowing riders to apply the throttle with more confidence – particularly when accelerating hard out of slow corners. It is also designed to work with the Öhlins electronically controlled rear shock absorber to control it in a semi-active way, constantly varying the damper settings in real time to best suit the rider’s needs.
Similarly, the SCU unit works in co-operation with the MV Agusta F4 RR’s standard CAN-bus wiring system to transform the shock absorbers behaviour by giving it true semi-active functionality. The unit monitors rider input, and calculates a suspension damper setting ideal for that exact moment, resulting in permanently perfect support under braking, through corners and while accelerating.
Öhlins also unveiled an upgrade kit for any 2010-2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 owner. For machines that are fitted with Öhlins EC suspension as standard (Multistrada 1200 S), the new SCU is a simple ‘plug and play’ system that continuously optimises the motorcycles suspension by monitoring the speed, acceleration and other variable bike parameters. The SCU works with the existing riding modes (Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro), ensuring seamless integration and adds a semi-active function to the bike.
For owners of the base model of the Ducati Multistrada, Öhlins have also developed an upgrade kit that includes new forks, shock absorber, dashboard, and SCU and of course, everything required for installation, meaning they can receive the same benefits as the S model.
EICMA also saw the unveiling of an all-new Fork Cartridge Kit developed specifically for the Harley Davidson FLH/FLT Touring Bagger range. The FKC 101 kit has been specifically designed to offer high-end cartridge damping, ensuring riders receive maximum comfort and vehicle control, making riding on the road an ultra-smooth experience.
With Öhlins NIX technology, which features rebound damping in one leg, and compression damping in the other to maximise the damping that is available. The system is easy to install for an Öhlins trained technician and with a number of optional spring rates available, the FKC 101 kit is suitable for every biker, regardless of rider weight, preference, riding style or motorcycle use.
It was not just road products being unveiled at EICMA, as Öhlins revealed two exciting new Motocross applications for 2014 – the updated TTX44 rear shock, which has been developed in MXGP and Supercross, and a new cartridge kit for 85cc future stars.
The TTX44 shock has been designed to cope with the most varied terrain of any motorsport, and is available through the entire Öhlins distributor network. Featuring the renowned Twin Tube system TTX, the shock has a fast, efficient flow rate, while the new rebound adjuster give better precision and a more ‘rigid’ feeling. Adjustment comes in the way of a three level high speed adjuster, rebound and a highly effective low speed compression adjuster. Within the world of Enduro, the ever popular KTM ‘Enduro’ shock for the all conquering EXC/XC models has been revised and updated for 2014, giving riders increased performance and all event long durability.
Based on the TTX22 cartridge kit, the new 85cc system is available for all the major mini-MX models, and as one of the most powerful and feature packed products on the market, the new kit will offer high-end performance. It has been designed to rise very low above the fork legs, allowing for lower bikes for the smaller riders in the class.
As the most exciting and exotic machines were launched at EICMA, several standout models featured Öhlins equipment. The appearance of a limited edition Honda Fireblade SP surprised many industry insiders, this new ultimate trackday or National class racer features Öhlins NIX30 forks and TTX shock. Other machines benefiting from the Öhlins tune-up include the new Ducati Monster 1200S and ultra-exclusive Superleggera.
Speaking immediately after EICMA, Ola Lennström, Öhlins Marketing Manager commented, “The EICMA show has once again been a fantastic event for Öhlins as we unveiled our full range of new products for 2014 with massive public interest.
Some of these will provide the ultimate in sporting performance, built from years of experience at the top of international racing, while others will perform equally as well on the road, giving riders an ultra-smooth ride.
The days of only focusing on the Superbike market are long gone and although we have exciting products for this sector, we have developed a full range for riders of Adventure, dual purpose and Cruiser machines.”
For more info on the full line-up of Öhlins products visit www.ohlins.com
Öhlins can also be found on Facebook under ‘Öhlins Racing AB’
