International Dealer News IDN 136 April/May 2017 | Page 26

PRO GuIDe eXTRA

Öhlins for MX / Enduro, MT-07, Africa Twin and custom builds

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, Swedish suspension specialist Öhlins updated several of its product lines with new applications at EICMA last November and introduced brand-new products such as their TTX‘ Flow’“ radical” rear shock for MX and Enduro applications. First seen in IDN immediately after the show, it was developed for racers, but also delivers“ unrivalled bike stability and traction” whatever the surface. Based on their established TTX technology and patent-pending internal pressure regulation and allnew‘ spool’ check valve system for rapid response, it“ calms down the chassis” and delivers“ improved traction comfort and predictability”. Also seen here, Öhlins are regularly reconfiguring the valves, coatings and materials of their shocks for new applications, and the popular NIX 22 cartridge kit is now available for the MT-07( and XSR700), with the STX piggyback shock absorber technology now tuned for Honda’ s CRF 1000L Africa Twin. Designed to complement their STX rear shock absorber option and FSK 100 fork spring kit, the NIX
‘ Retro’ 43 front forks
NIX 22 cartridge kit
Robert Brinkmark, Öhlins Product and Marketing Manager, remarked:“ The custom motorcycle scene continues to grow from strength to strength, and our latest‘ Retro’ 43 fork offers bike builders the worldrenowned Öhlins performance in a stylish and sleek design. The NIX technology inside the fork ensures quick and simple adjustment to ensure the ride is as smooth as possible”.
ÖHLINS RACING Upplands Vaesby, SWEDEN Tel: + 46( 0) 8 590 025 00 info @ ohlins. se www. ohlins. com
TTX‘ Flow’
STX 46 piggyback shock
22 features compression damping in the left leg and rebound in the right. Said to be easily installed into the 22mm stock Yamaha MT-07 fork, Öhlins say it is a suitable upgrade for any road and track rider. For the Africa Twin Öhlins’ engineers have developed an STX 46 piggyback shock with remote spring preload adjuster for tuning of both the compression and rebound damping and adjustment from dirt to road and back again. Öhlins say that the improved traction and stability is very noticeable during acceleration and in cornering. Finally, EICMA also saw a debut of a new Öhlins 43mm conventional universal fork, the‘ Retro’ 43, aimed specifically at builders in the fast growing custom motorcycle market. The unit has been specifically designed for custom bike builders who want to give their machine“ highend suspension performance with a stunning custom look”. The kit has been developed in response to massive demand for Öhlins products from bike builders all over the world, including the legendary Roland Sands Designs team in the USA. On the outside, the‘ Retro’ 43 comes with the familiar Öhlins Racing design in either black or the wellknown gold version, whilst inside is the same NIX cartridge technology, bringing features such as the left leg compression and right side rebound damping adjustment to a custom-build fork for the first time. With suspension quality at a premium in one-off custom bikes, the 130mm stroke and 800mm length of the‘ Retro’ 43 offer stability, tunability and“ great bump absorption to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride”. For custom build versatility, the fork bottoms are delivered without brake caliper and fender mountings, enabling it to be easily adapted to custom configurations and any base model or donor bike.
“ Öhlins engineers regularly reconfigure valves, coatings and materials of their latest products for new applications, such as with the newly tuned NIX 22 cartridge for the MT-07”
26 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS- APRIL / MAY 2017