Batman got Robin, Sherlock Holmes had Dr Watson and The Phantom had Guran by his side at all time to stay out of trouble… and for all sport bike enthusiasts Öhlins has created the perfect watchman. The 30 mm Cartridge Kit.
This product is unique and perhaps the most cost efficient product in terms of bucks/performance in the whole Öhlins range out of all shock absorbers, front forks, steering dampers and kits!
So, what’s up with this product?
Just The Bare Essentials
For a start it had a very unique and untraditional birth. The engineering team took into account all experience and facts emanating from decades of racing service and poured it into the project. But it didn’t stop at this point. The team took it to the next level by stripping the new cartridge down to the bare essentials.
The quality and performance was still core pillars in the project but the team added light weight, racing front fork characteristics and an extreme serviceability for the end user.
The Damping Technique
First of all the team separated the compression and rebound functions into separate cartridge legs (rebound in the right leg) to really get the full flavour when setting up the bike. Second of all the engineering team decided to leave the pressurized technique behind to create a damping system that was easy to revamp without any time consuming workshop.
Instead of a pressurized system the team designed a sealed, one cylinder piston chamber causing the oil to escape nowhere but through the shim stack on the piston when compressed. This solution turned out to be a real jackpot as the whole cartridge gives immediate response as the powerful 30 mm piston generates an optimal pressure all the way through the damping sequence.
A Confidence Booster
Öhlins test riders and AMA racing teams riding on the system have all concluded that the cartridge kit works out of the box and the fantastic thing is that it works as a perfect narrator, telling about every little thing that the front wheel is up to. This is a tremendous confidence booster making the rider wanna go even faster.
But hey… the kit is not just for AMA and Super Stock teams! A bunch of 600cc and 1000cc street bikes can get a real taste of being a pro as well.
From Wet To Dry In Minutes
The cartridge kit targets racing teams in series with tight rules concerning the change of front forks. Without breaching the rules a team can now boost their bike to perfection, rubbing down seconds on the track.
And, as mentioned above, the kit is extremely easy to install and revamp. A trained crew can easily change the characteristics of the cartridge kit from dry to rain settings within a couple of minutes in case Mother Nature decides to make the affair just a bit more exciting… this is a big no-no when having a pressurized system.
Ready For Mechatronics
You’ve probably heard it or read about the fact that Öhlins is moving rapidly into the area of electronically controlled suspension systems, called mechatronics. Already in the end of 2010 street bike applications will be launched and all products that are being designed at Öhlins is constructed to accommodate a mechatronic system and the 30 mm cartridge kit is no exception.
Spring Time
A trimming detail of vital important, according to the engineering team, is the spring and that is why the kit is sold without any standard springs.
A myriad of factors ends up in a spring that fits the rider such as riding style, weather situation, rider weight and model to mention some key factors. Öhlins have provided a wide range of springs so the dealer and rider can find the perfect match.
Team up with the 30 mm cartridge kit and fight against the ruthless stopwatch on the track.