Motorcycle Shock Absorbers
What happens when you hit a bump while riding? Well, your tire
compress fractionally. However, you will still experience
bouncing. Basically, this is because they are not really shock
absorbers.
Motorcycle shock absorber comprises of oil-filled tube and a
piston that slides up and down the tube. One end of it is
connected to the bike's frame the other to the wheel hub. When
the wheel moves upwards, the piston is pushed through the oil.
It is now the oil that provides resistance to the movement of
the piston. Thus, kinetic energy is transformed to heat.
Rear wheel shock absorber seems to have bigger springs which are
mounted outside of the hydraulic tubes while the front wheel has
springs within the tubes. Those shocks in the rear part of the
bike are typically angled forward from the wheel to its frame.
On the other hand, those shocks in front are angled backwards.
These angles are mainly for the acceleration and braking in
connection with weight shifts.
Motorcycle shock absorber systems make the bike manageable.
Thus, every rider must check their shock absorbers as well as
other motorcycle accessories and parts - regularly. Better make
sure that the recommended oil changes are followed. Be informed
though that modifications are not advisable. However,
adjustments can be tolerated if it is to complement the change
in weight of the bike or the road conditions.
It is obvious that motorcycle shocks design is not that
wonderful to the feel. In fact, that is the very reason why we
feel great at times yet bumpy most of the time. The difference
may lie on the progressives. These are the sets of spring that
come stock on your bike. Choose the state-of-the-art quality
springs to make a difference. You can go to your trusted
motorcycle store to inquire and purchase such to make your bumpy
ride a little more convenient.
Progressives make the extremely annoying bumps soft and
comfortable. This is because they become more difficult to
compress. Lest, the shocks cannot be compressed, air can be.
Thus, some shocks are named air assisted.
There are cases when motorcycle shock systems are attached to an
onboard compressor. The latter are used to augment or diminish
air pressure as a result, the shocks become either harder or
softer without changing the compression of its springs in times
of weight shifts and road surface changes. To make the
compressor dawdle, some riders are increasing the weight of the
oil in the shocks.
There you go. Now, you can have a comfortable motorcycle ride.
Thanks to the shocks!