Öhlins has released its new...
Öhlins has released its new semi-active aftermarket upgrade suspension for the BMW R 1200 GS. A similar system for sportbikes is surely not far behind.
As expected based on the spy shots shown in our story here, Öhlins has released its aftermarket semi-active electronic suspension system for the BMW R 1200 GS in Europe. Interpreting data from the bike’s sensors via its CAN bus line, the suspension is able to vary its damping rates according to the motorcycle’s speed. Utilizing two TTX-style shocks with modified damping circuits (the R 1200 GS’s Telelever front suspension uses a conventional shock to control spring and damping rates) electronically adjusted via motors controlled by the system’s own ECU, the Öhlins system monitors the bike’s speed and changes it to the next stiffer setting in the BMW ESA Modes when required. For example, when speed exceeds 80 kph (50 mph) while riding in Comfort mode, the Öhlins ECU switches the suspension damping to a firmer Normal setting. If speed then exceeds 120 kph (75 mph), the system switches to the even-firmer Sport setting. As speeds decrease, the system reverts back to the softer settings—making the Öhlins suspension setup the first “intelligent” semi-active motorcycle suspension available to the public.
With Öhlins demonstrating on the Ducati Multistrada 1200S that it can do the same thing with a conventional telescopic fork, you can bet it’s only a matter of time before the company extends its offerings to include the latest sportbikes that come equipped with the required sensors.
The Öhlins TTX36 shock is...
The Öhlins TTX36 shock is fitted with electronically controlled motors to adjust rebound and compression damping.
The following is the Öhlins press release:
Öhlins has become the first company to offer an upgraded electronic suspension system, replacing the electronically adjustable suspension on the BMW R1200GS and interacting directly with the bike’s ECU and existing user interface. The Öhlins system also has a semi-active function, automatically adjusting the bike’s damping in relation to its speed.
Öhlins has been at the forefront of development of electronically adjustable suspension and has a whole department dedicated to this rapidly advancing technology. Labeled under the heading ‘Mechatronic’, which is an amalgamation of the words mechanical and electronic, this department helped create one of the World’s first production electronic suspension systems, found on the Ducati Multistrada. Now Öhlins is offering BMW R1200GS riders with ESA the chance to upgrade their suspension without sacrificing its electronic adjustability.
Developed using Öhlins’ unrivalled experience in damping gained through considerable MotoGP, World Superbike and multi-discipline Off-Road Racing successes, the R1200GS ESA replacement package consists of Öhlins EC front and rear shocks as well as an ECU that allows the entire system to plug directly into the BMW’s own user-interface. The Öhlins system allows the rider to choose between BMW’s multiple driving modes and damping levels, along with various spring pre-load settings on the rear shock. That’s not all, the Öhlins system adds a level of intelligence to the BMW’s suspension.
In Comfort mode, the Öhlins ECU monitors the bike’s speed and when it exceeds 80kph automatically alters the suspension’s damping to a firmer ‘Normal’ setting. When the speed exceeds 120kph the damping is further increased to ‘Sport’ mode, creating a more accurate ride. When the speeds decrease, the damping reverts back to its original settings through the intermediate ‘Normal’ mode. This feature makes Öhlins’ ESA replacement system the world’s first intelligent aftermarket suspension system.
As well as the extra ride quality offered by Öhlins suspension, the system also allows riders to customize the spring rate on their bike through fitment of new springs as well as have their shocks fully serviced and maintained by one of the many specialist Öhlins Centers.
The Öhlins BMW R1200GS ESA replacement system will be available in November 2011 from any of the network of specialist Öhlins Centers with an expected price of approximately £2,500 plus VAT.
Ola Lennström, Marketing Communications Manager, Öhlins Racing commented, “BMW is a brand in the ascendancy and the GS model of bike is extremely popular with its customers, which is why we decided to launch our Mechatronic system on it. The GS proved a suitable challenge for our engineers as its supension had to cover a wide range of applications, both on and off-road. We believe that owners will instantly feel the benefits of the Öhlins suspension to the motorcycle’s ride and the addition of the ‘Smart’ speed adaptive feature raises it to another level. No other motorcycle on the market has suspension that responds to the vehicle’s speed, this is yet another World first from Öhlins and a further demonstration as to why we are the premium brand in suspension and trusted by riders all over the globe.”