Damper rod forks, emulators, intminators and progressive springs

**AllanB** · 13th June 2011, 20:55

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

The sexy scandinavian suspender left Stockholm yesterday!

It's like being 6 years old again and waiting for Christmas!

**SWERVE** · 13th June 2011, 22:32

THE PERFECT EMULATOR
How much would it take to machine this kind of unit to say trial it on a set of damper rod forks. Or is it just too involved.

**gatch** · 13th June 2011, 23:42

Originally Posted by SWERVE

THE PERFECT EMULATOR
How much would it take to machine this kind of unit to say trial it on a set of damper rod forks. Or is it just too involved.

Anything can be done with enough $$

**bogan** · 14th June 2011, 10:04

Speaking of which, I'm eagerly anticipating the writeup on semi-active suspension (ohlins CES).

Öhlins Racing’s vision is to realize the business mantra – “Make the world go electronic on suspension”.

http://www.ohlins.com/About-the-company/This-is-Ohlins/

**davebullet** · 14th June 2011, 13:11

Combining with electronic suspension.... Why don't suspension manufacturers predict the road surface and prepare the bike accordingly? This would involve scanning the road ahead on the line being taken. When combined with speed measurement would allow clever suspension internals to proactively move in anticipation of the surface change, rather than react to it. Or maybe this isn't a new idea....

**Robert Taylor** · 14th June 2011, 20:29

Originally Posted by davebullet

Combining with electronic suspension.... Why don't suspension manufacturers predict the road surface and prepare the bike accordingly? This would involve scanning the road ahead on the line being taken. When combined with speed measurement would allow clever suspension internals to proactively move in anticipation of the surface change, rather than react to it. Or maybe this isn't a new idea....

There is much that is already technically possible but its also about when the market is ready for it. You may be ready for it but is the market at large ready to accept it? Would you pay a premium because production volume is small or would you rather wait until the numbers that can be easily sold are significantly higher, in turn bringing the end cost down substanially? Given the broken world we have at present Id say its for very good reason that some releases of new product have been stalled.
Notwitstanding also that when Ohlins raced briefly with electronic suspension fitted to the WSB Yamahas ( and won ) the cavemen that are rulemakers promptly banned it
Electronic suspension aids also got banned right here in Enzed 3 years ago. We turned up at Pukekohe race track with an R6 for Sam Smith that had new and very effective fork components inside it, making it fast enough to stick it on pole and win a race. But at the same time we had somewhat elaborately machined up some dummy electronic servos that looked exactly like those on the WSB Yamahas. Craig Shirriffs( bless his heart ) colluded in our big charade and let on to another team manager that we had electronic suspension fitted. In line with the dark side of human nature this individual thought it highly unfair ( among a few others ), spat the dummy ( at our dummy ) and it was subsequently banned by MNZ.

**Robert Taylor** · 14th June 2011, 20:33

Originally Posted by bogan

Speaking of which, I'm eagerly anticipating the writeup on semi-active suspension (ohlins CES).

http://www.ohlins.com/About-the-company/This-is-Ohlins/

After my next trip to Stockholm!

**F5 Dave** · 15th June 2011, 09:25

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

T. . . . But at the same time we had somewhat elaborately machined up some dummy electronic servos that looked exactly like those on the WSB Yamahas. Craig Shirriffs( bless his heart ) colluded in our big charade and let on to another team manager that we had electronic suspension fitted. In line with the dark side of human nature this individual thought it highly unfair ( among a few others ), spat the dummy ( at our dummy ) and it was subsequently banned by MNZ.

ok that's hilarimouse.

**Rcktfsh** · 15th June 2011, 17:05

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Electronic suspension aids also got banned right here in Enzed 3 years ago. We turned up at Pukekohe race track with an R6 for Sam Smith that had new and very effective fork components inside it, making it fast enough to stick it on pole and win a race. But at the same time we had somewhat elaborately machined up some dummy electronic servos that looked exactly like those on the WSB Yamahas. Craig Shirriffs( bless his heart ) colluded in our big charade and let on to another team manager that we had electronic suspension fitted. In line with the dark side of human nature this individual thought it highly unfair ( among a few others ), spat the dummy ( at our dummy ) and it was subsequently banned by MNZ.

You did a pretty good job on dummying that up.

**slofox** · 15th June 2011, 18:53

My opinion, for what it's worth.

I had an SV650S. I had Race Tech emulators fitted - largely as a result of what Robert had to say. Fitted by the local agents under advice from Robert (thanks Robert).

Big improvement over the original forks.

Then I sold the SV and bought a GSXR.

Which was from a different planet again. I doubt I'd ever buy another bike with damper rod forks no matter how modified they were.

**Robert Taylor** · 16th June 2011, 20:50

Originally Posted by Rcktfsh

You did a pretty good job on dummying that up.

In fact when Ohlins release for production their electronically assisted suspension the bodies of the electronic units will look just about the same as our fake versions, only a lot neater! Its also exciting to report that retrofit of these units will be available to fit existing TTX36. So those who already have such a shock will not neccessarily have to purchase a whole new shock, just an upgrade kit.
Thats probably a very relevant point to consider when you are purchasing a new aftermarket shock and considering alternatives, how future proof is it? And how much pedigree and experience does the company have in electronic suspension control ( if at all, as is likely ) Ohlins started with electronic suspension way back in 84 with their CES valves and have built in excess of 1 million units to supply such brands as Audi, Volkswagen, Ford, Volvo, Ferrari etc.
When the WSB Yamahas briefly ran the electronically assisted TTX36 ( before it was banned ) it was clear that it was a huge leap.
Bring it on!!!