Technology. You have to embrace it. It’s one of those forces that moves forward all the time. Just take the tech on our motorcycles, they now have everything from Tuning apps via your cellular device to cruise control. Rider modes, to lean angle sensors. Radar controlled Cruise control to collision warning sensors.
What’s next?
Maybe, it’s this electronic Clicker system by Hills Pro Suspension.
What is a suspension clicker?
A suspension clicker is a knob or screw on a motorcycle suspension system that allows riders to adjust the damping characteristics of the fork or shock. By turning the clicker, riders can control how quickly the suspension compresses (compression damping) and rebounds (rebound damping), affecting the bike’s handling and ride feel.
In the old days and on older models, it’s done with a screwdriver and you need to count the clicks so that you know what adjustment you have made.
More modern motorcycles are now tool-free operation and suspension manufacturers have made it all far more convenient so that you don’t need to go hunting for the screwdriver every time you want to make a change, but you still need to stop in order to make the changes and in racing conditions – and that takes time.
What’s the next step?
How about a simple switch on the handlebar that the rider can use, literally on the fly? That’s what the Hills system is all about.
We met up with Roger to discuss the innovative technology and came away thinking – “Well why has nobody thought of this?”
How it works:
It seems pretty simple. The Hills Suspension System incorporates a tiny electric motor that bolts into the top of your fork. The wires run to a button on the bars – and to the digital display neatly built into the motorcycle’s bar pad. You simply click up or down, literally while you are flying through the air or railing a berm. To top it all off, they are also busy developing an App that will allow your phone to communicate with the module on your bike.
Cool, huh?
According to the Hills bunch, the system will also give the rider a far greater range of clicks- so for example, say a standard clicker gives you a range of ten clicks, you can adjust ten extra times between each click so literally – adjustment at atomic levels right here…
Will it affect my suspension setup?
Not your pre-load, spring rate, oil density, ride height or any other part of the suspension apart from how quickly it compresses and rebounds. This switch is solely there to make clicker adjustment quick and convenient.
Applications?
Because of the Hills family’s involvement in MX, Roger and his team have developed the system on their MX bikes – but if you think about it, it should work anywhere. Think enduro where you want to adjust for the flatter, faster stuff while you ride from climb to climb.
Think rally where a bloke like Ross Branch is charging along on hard pack – and then hits a section of soft sand or a riverbed.
Adjust on the fly.
There’s also much opportunity in road application for track use – you can literally adjust your bike from corner to corner without needing to consult with your pit crew.
The sky is really the limit.
The system has taken almost two years to develop and is a mere week or two away from a fully fledged production model. Watch this space.
Vid Link: https://youtu.be/4HvJBmkO-TU
Interesting, proudly South African Technology right here!
More Detail: Hills Pro Suspension
