BMW Motorcycle Suspension & Steering

There are several parts that make up the suspension and steering systems on your motorcycle. Most are located at the front end, and they can vary.

A telescopic fork is the most common. This is made of sliding steel tubes that feature long springs inside. Hydraulic fluid contained within is used to damp the shock absorbers. With this type of set-up, the angle of the forks' rake determines the steering's controllability. The more vertical the angle, the more agile the handling. The more horizontal the angle, the more relaxed the steering.

With hub center steering, which is much rarer, the forks run horizontally to the center of the front wheel. A series of pushrods then turn the wheels.

Steering dampers can be spotted on sportier BMW Motorrad models, including racing bikes. They're similar to telescopic forks in that they dampen the effect of bumps in the road. Since they're velocity-dependent, they tend to restrict steering motion at speeds.

Then there are the rear shocks. They're generally available in three forms: dual shocks, monoshocks, and softail monoshocks. Dual shocks place a shock absorber on either side of the wheel. A monoshock, which is often seen on modern motorcycles and sports models, is positioned at the front of the swingarm and above the swingarm pivot bolt. A softail monoshock places the shock horizontally in front of the swingarm but below the swingarm pivot bolt.

How to Spot Suspension and Steering Issues

Rough road surfaces and wear and tear can eventually degrade your suspension and steering system parts. Signs of trouble include:

• Bumpier-than-normal ride
• Leaking hydraulic fluid
• Clunking. clanking, or squealing noises
• Your tire treads show uneven wear
• It takes longer for your brakes to work

Genuine OEM Suspension and Steering Parts Perform Best

If your ride's gotten progressively more uncomfortable, examine your steering and suspension systems. When you find the faulty part, replace it with your best option. For you and your motorcycle, that means buying the genuine BMW Motorrad suspension and steering parts sold right here in our online catalog. They're guaranteed to fit right while also delivering the quality performance you expect. Buy today and we'll get your order shipped right out!