SHOWA CORPORATION | Product Information | Motorcycle: Shock Absorbers (Front Forks)

Functions and Roles

The front fork is a key structural component of a motorcycle, holding the front wheel and providing the steering function. This vital part demands excellent ability to closely follow road contours through smooth operation and steady damping force, while retaining high rigidity. Front fork has improves ride quality and has a role to control the attitude of an automobile body and drive ability.

SHOWA's Approach to the Development of Shock Absorbers for Motorcycles

SHOWA Motorcycle shock absorbers are part of the frame and also functions as an element in the appearance of the product. It is therefore required to develop a shock absorber that not only provides high performance, strength, and durability, but also fulfills numerous functions and ensures a high degree of reliability. Based on the techniques accumulated through its continual involvement in motorcycle races throughout the world, SHOWA strives to develop products that meet the diverse needs of customers.

Types of Shock Absorbers

Upright telescopic type

	Free-valve type: Applied in a wide variety of vehicle types, this is the standard type of front fork adopted in a wide variety vehicles ranging from compact motorcycles to full-sized motorcycles.
	Cartridge type: Due to its excellent damping characteristics, this type has been adopted primarily in full-sized motorcycles.

Inverted telescopic type

	Cartridge type: Due to its excellent damping characteristics, this type has been adopted primarily in full-sized motorcycles.
	Separate pressure forks: With the fork oil and air separated from each other, this type provides stable damping characteristics in a diverse range of situations.