Shock absorbers consists of spring which determine posture and cushioning buffer action and a damper which suppresses vibration.
On 2-wheeled vehicles, shock absorbers are separated into the categories of the “front fork” and “rear cushion”.
The front fork:

• Front fork serves as rigidity component just like a frame. Vehicle specific rigidity given to present run out while braking and changing the direction of a wheel though handle operations.
• Maintain balance of vehicle frames stability and secures straight running stability as well as rotationality of the vehicle.
• The front fork prevents excessive weight on the front wheel during drastic sudden applications the break, softens bumping when driving on rough road surfaces.
• The front fork maintains proper damping through traction with the road surface.

Upright telescopic type

Free-valve type Construction is relatively simple, with stable performance. Applied widely from small scooters to large-sized cruiser types.

Inverted telescopic type

SHOWA's Approach

SHOWA develops its technology for stock motorcycles based upon feedback gathered from data for 2-wheeled vehicle road races and motocross races.

Thanks to recent improvements in dynamic performance, the gripping power of the tires, improvements in the efficiency of the brake system, the increased control of sudden frontal subduction when breaking, as well as increased absorbency of road surface gaps along with a compatible riding comfort, SHOWA has been able to develop its Big Piston Front Forks for road models. By striving to achieve further improvements to the rear cushion and in tire traction, we have also succeeded in installing the B.F.R. system in bikes for road racing as we aim for mass production.
With the large diameter front forks used in off-road models, and with regard to the weight trends of highly rigidity, we have been able to achieve significant weight reductions in our S.F.F. construction designed to enter the mass market. Through feedback from stock models utilizing performance and functional improvements cultivated from the limits of racing, SHOWA aims to provide shock absorbs that have achieved:

• A high level of driving safety
• Exceptional riding comfort
• Weight reductions