International Dealer News IDN 147 February/March 2019 | Page 50
PRO GuIDe
Showa HeightFlex -
Electronically Equipped
Ride Adjustment system
Suspension specialist Showa continues the
development of its aftermarket programme
with the EICMA launch of Showa EERA -
Showa’s Electronically Equipped Ride
Adjustment control technology that drives
its new HeightFlex system.
The motorcycle height is automatically
lowered when the motorcycle comes to a
stop, so the rider can reach to the ground
easily. The vehicle height is automatically
optimised during travelling regardless of
the weight of the rider or load being
carried.
Described as “the world’s first height
adjustment technology that combines a
self-pumping function with an electronically
controlled hydraulic valve that controls the
oil supply to the shock absorber.
“With no motor used, the product is light,
compact, power-saving and very
competitive. If you ride bikes such as high
adventure models, it can be difficult to put
your feet on the ground. While some
manufacturers offer motorcycles designed
with shorter suspension stroke to solve this,
we have taken a different approach.
“One that maintains the quality of the
suspension’s performance while riding – the
HeightFlex system delivers good shock
absorber travel performance on rough roads
while also providing easier ground reach –
two often competing
objectives.
“The stroke sensor detects
the vehicle height during
riding, to optimise the front
end height, and, when the
vehicle comes to a stop, the
stationary height is
automatically lowered.
“While some large tourer models use a
motor to supply oil to change the spring
preload, the Showa EERA HeightFlex uses a
hydraulic jack with a self-pumping system
that is operated by oil supplied through the
extension/compression stroke of the
damper to change spring preload. It is
therefore a light, compact and power-saving
system that can be offered at a very
competitive price”.
In effect, HeightFlex is using the oil flow
generated by the damper strokes instead of
using a motor. The electronically controlled
hydraulic valve provided in the oil passage
changes the oil flow to release the oil inside
the hydraulic jack into the reservoir tank to
lower the motorcycle height, just before the
bike comes to a stop. To raise the height
after starting to travel, the oil is fed into
the jack to increase spring preload.
During travelling, when the optimal height
needs to be maintained, the electronically
controlled hydraulic valve is on/off
controlled to keep the hydraulic jack in the
fixed position, and the oil flows back and
forth between the damper body and
reservoir tank as normal in conventional
dampers.
This system is designed so that the height is
lowered just before the rider’s feet reach to
the ground, which takes about a second.
The height is raised completely after
travelling several hundred meters from start
on normal paved roads.
HeightFlex was first shown at EICMA 2018
and will be available for Adventure and
conventional Touring models, plus as a
lowering technology for cruisers and
custom bikes.
SHOWA UK
Aberdare, Mid Glam, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1684 885 800
www.showa1.com
ARC GTX - “a new standard in
laminated motorcycle jackets”
Belgian specialist Richa has a new 2019 collection
available, and among the updates is what the
company says is a “new standard in direct
laminated jackets” that features “sporty
touring styling with ergonomic, pre-curved,
slim-fit sleeves”.
The ARC GTX is one of Richa’s top-of-the-
line textile jackets, made in 2-layer
Gore-Tex laminated textile fabric with
D3O impact protection at the shoulders,
elbows and back (it is also pre-
prepared for D3O chest protection),
has 3M reflection and a detachable,
warm winter liner jacket.
Riding apparel made with 2-layer
Gore-Tex fabric is durably
waterproof, windproof and highly
breathable. In the ARC GTX, a Gore-
Tex membrane is bonded to an outer
shell material, then combined with a
free-flowing lining, which results in a
soft, lightweight all-weather jacket that
keeps riders dry and comfortable without
constraining movement.
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INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
RICHA NV
Oudenaarde, BELGIUM
Tel: +32 (0)55 423435
[email protected]
www.richa.be
www.idnmag.com