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P. 20
LHR MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE 20 REVIEW
Gold Standard: What's So Special
About Öhlins Suspension?
GOLDEN TOUCH · BMW R1200GS with Öhlins
By Ian van der Merwe
ESA-compatible cartridges
INTRODUCTION There's no mistaking an Öhlins
product. The iconic gold finish is Across all tests, feedback was
In the world of motorcycles, few consistent:
names carry the weight and prestige more than just branding—it reflects
of Öhlins. The Swedish suspension the company's use of high-grade · B u m p s a re a b s o r b e d
manufacturer is synonymous with materials and anodizing processes. w i t h o u t w a l l o w o r
gold-anodized forks, precision Key components include: harshness
damping, and motorsport dominance. Mid-corner line holding
· Aluminum alloy bodies for ·
But for riders not chasing MotoGP weight savings improves significantly
podiums, the question often arises:
What makes Öhlins suspension so · Hard-anodized coatings for · B r a k i n g s t a b i l i t y i s
s p e c i a l ? A n d p e r h a p s m o r e corrosion and wear resistance enhanced
importantly, is it worth the high price · P r e c i s i o n - m a c h i n e d · Confidence grows in both
tag for everyday riders? internals for consistent wet and dry conditions
From sportbikes to adventure damping ADJUSTABILITY: DIAL
machines, naked streetfighters to · Monotube and piggyback IN YOUR RIDE
race-prepped track beasts, Öhlins designs for heat management
components are often touted as the Unlike some mass-market suspension This is where Öhlins truly shines.
best you can buy. But what separates brands, every Öhlins product is hand- Most OEM suspension setups have
them from the competition? Is it just assembled and dyno-tested before b a s i c p r e l o a d a n d r e b o u n d
marketing and motorsport clout—or leaving the factory. Tolerances are adjustments. Öhlins gives you much
are there tangible benefits that justify incredibly tight, and quality control is more:
the premium? · Preload (spring tension)
world-class.
In this deep-dive review, we unpack · R e b o u n d d a m p i n g
the Öhlins difference. We look at (extension control)
engineering, history, adjustability,
· Compression damping
ride quality, and real-world (bump absorption)
testing—including insights from
South African riders using Öhlins · H i g h / l o w s p e e d
across different terrains and compression (on top-end
models)
motorcycle categories.
A LEGACY OF PRECISION These allow you to tailor the
suspension to your riding style,
Founded in 1976 by Kenth Öhlin, the weight, gear load, and terrain. Riders
company began by building doing long trips into the Cederberg or
motocross shocks in a small Swedish off-road routes into the Karoo benefit
workshop. By the 1980s, Öhlins had RIDE QUALITY: MORE immensely from the ability to adapt
entered the world stage through THAN JUST COMFORT their damping settings quickly.
Yamaha's factory racing efforts. Since Öhlins suspension doesn't just make
then, their components have won your bike softer or stiffer—it makes it Some models even support remote
championships across MotoGP, more composed. Riders often hydraulic preload adjusters—ideal
World Superbike, Dakar, and MXGP. describe the sensation as “planted,” for two-up riding or instant changes
Today, Öhlins is owned by Tenneco, “predictable,” and “confidence- mid-ride.
yet its R&D and manufacturing still inspiring.” R A C I N G D N A : F R O M
take place in Upplands Väsby, We tested a range of motorcycles with M O T O G P T O Y O U R
Sweden. Every part—from entry- Öhlins upgrades in Cape Town and GARAGE
level shocks to full race forks—is the Western Cape: When MotoGP legends like Valentino
d e v e l o p e d u n d e r t h e s a m e Rossi or Marc Márquez push through
· KTM 1290 Super Duke R
commitment to performance and a corner at 200 km/h, they're relying
quality control. with Öhlins NIX30 forks and
TTX shock on suspension that can react instantly
and predictably. That s ame
· Yamaha MT-09 with STX46
BUILD QUALITY: THE technology filters down to consumer
rear shock
