PRO GuIDe eXTRA
TracTive electronic damping technology - " The Benchmark "
A pioneer of electronic suspension systems for motorcycle applications ( such as BMW ESA ), Dutch specialist TracTive is an electronic damping technology manufacturer with pedigree - among other achievements , it is a Tier 1 supplier to several OE manufacturers - including Italian manufacturer Marzocchi and Fox in the USA . Its active damping valve technology ( DDA ) is the benchmark for applications like the BMW S1000RR ( 2019 and up ). Based on its DDA technology , TracTive has become the only suspension company worldwide to supply full ' plug & play ' electronic aftermarket suspension for many BMW models . TracTive was founded in 2010 by a team of six WP Suspension engineers and technicians who chose not to " go with the furniture " when owner KTM decided to move the suspension business it had bought from founder Wim Peters in 1995 . Preferring to remain in the Netherlands rather than move to Austria , the company has now grown to 45 employees and assembles up to 10,000 shock absorbers and around 150,000 electronic damping valves annually . Initially , the company specialised in production for top-end customers such as Touratech for the larger adventure bikes , Rally Raid Products for light adventure and Aragosta for typical Japanese applications . Commercial Director Tom Glazemakers told IDN that " in order to fully support the growth of these private labels , we have started to develop an extensive range of TracTive products and a broad service dealer network worldwide . " We are very well known for our unique combination of high-end design , quality control and electronic valve technology , so now we will leverage this expertise and make our designs available to a wider audience as we establish the TracTive brand identity . " Our business model consists of three main plans . First and foremost , the in-house development of technology . Our R & D department is continuously challenged to develop new technologies and supply prototypes for a range of OE and Tier 1 customers . This is the best way of making sure we stay ahead in suspension technology . Sometimes we work on vehicles that will hit the market in just three years . " Some of the inventions by TracTive R & D , like the DDA
technology , are being manufactured in-house . In addition to the BMW S1000RR / XR / R models , our products can be found at several other vehicle manufacturers , such as the Can-Am Maverick , some hypercar brands like Pagani , Dallara , RUF Porsche and a number of smaller brands . With a production capacity of 200,000 pieces annually , we can guarantee a reproducible and robust function . These technologies form the basis for the largest part of our sales . " Our mission is to produce unmatched ' plug & play ' products that perform better than OE , with faster response times , improved handling , less weight and greater , indeed greatest possible safety . Nowadays , electronic suspension has become an integral part of a vehicle safety system , as crucial as ABS and stability control . While conventional shock absorber suppliers sometimes try to cancel electronic functions and therefore endanger the integral safety of the bike , TracTive firmly believes in enhancing the vehicle safety by using ' plug & play ' solutions . In motorbike and automotive applications alike , TracTive provides ' plug & play ' solutions for cars like Porsche and BMW that come off-factory with an electronic suspension system ."
eX-PERIENCE set for BMW R1250GS / R1250GS Adventure
TracTive has been supplying ' plug & play ' electronic suspension for all BMW R1200GS models from 2005 onwards in different versions - from stock replacement to hardcore adventure applications . For the R1250GS ( A ) with dynamic ESA and automatic spring preload , TracTive has developed a specific version that it says is " better suited to the different electronic damping modes and ride adjustment ". Full dynamic ESA functionality is maintained but with improved road and dynamic damping - the front and rear shocks have increased oil volume for thermal stability and additional compression adjusters for optimal tuneability . The front shocks have a 46 mm piston and 16 mm piston rod for increased durability , and the electric preload adjuster module is described as " really bomb-proof ". The shocks are available in different ride heights .
TRACTIVE SUSPENSION Cuijk , THE NETHERLANDS info @ tractivesuspension . com www . tractivesuspension . com
48 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 www . idnmag . com