What is the front suspension of a motorcycle? A motorcycle’s front suspension consists of 2 struts connecting the front wheel to the frame’s head tube. Also, What are the different types of bike forks? What are the different types of front suspension bikes? Let’s find out all the major types of front suspensions on a motorcycle.
How Many Types of Bike Front Suspension?
First of all, bike suspension is categorized into 2 parts. One of those is the front suspension. The other one is the rear suspension. There are many types of front suspensions. The most popular types include the likes of Telescopic Fork & USD Forks. Know all front suspension types below.
What Type of Front Suspension does a Motorcycle have?
Telescopic Fork
No doubt. the most common type among all the front suspensions. You would notice them in the majority of motorcycles. There is a pair of fork tubes being attached to the bike steering system. A triple clamp or yoke attaches the head bearings. Those tubes actually go through a pair of sliders. Meanwhile, those do have attachments to the front wheel spindle. The entire system has springs within. The telescopic fork system is able to provide an effective shock-absorption system.
USD Forks
USD refers to the Upside-down telescopic forks. Indeed, it is the more advanced version of the traditional telescopic fork. The sliders stay at the top in this system instead of its regular below-positioning. It is able to provide convenience with stronger & wider slider clamping onto the yoke. Indeed, it definitely offers more stability than its counterparts. Thus constructors do prefer this on high-performance-oriented bikes. The users also get adjustability in terms of pre-load & damping. But if there is a problem with the oil seal, the oil would leak and the machine won’t function as it does in the conventional fork system.
Saxon-Motodd Suspension
Another improvised type of motorcycle front suspension. Features a single wishbone that appends the frame with the twin telescopic sliders. The joint point is just above the wheel. Meanwhile, on the wishbone, there is a shock absorber. It is responsible for handling most of the suspension and braking forces. It facilitates with a lower un-sprung mass. Moreover, it detaches the steering function of the forks from the shock absorption. Thus, the Saxon-Motodd suspension decreases dive under braking and offers sheer stability and comfort. However, this type of suspension comes with its production complexity comparatively and is also more costly than the traditional one. Another issue is that it is not very durable as well.
Leading Link Front Suspension
One may also call it leading arm suspension. It is the exact counterpart of the trailing link suspension. The pivot point suspends the wheel ahead through a link. With the link leading the pivot point, it has obtained such a name.
Trailing Link Front Suspension
In other words, the trailing arm suspension. It is the complete opposite of the leading link front suspension. Comes with one or more arms, or links. Those are actually attached between the axle and pivot point. The link trails the point while the pivot point is ahead of the axle. Now, you may understand why they call it the Trailing Link suspension.
Hossack Suspension
It has earned a great reputation for perfectly separating the suspension from the steering. Appears with 2 wish-bones, an upright, and linkages. When the bike suffers under heavy braking, this suspension system reduces that impact on the wheelbase.
Girder Suspension
You could see them in the backdated bikes. Its setup includes a pair of upright legs. They have direct connections with the triple clamps. A spring attaches the short link pivot points on the legs. Constructors place this spring between the top and bottom of the triple clamps.
Springer Suspension
One may think that the Girder and Springer both are the same type. But they are different indeed. The type “Girder” has its leg fixed into the wheel. On the other hand, the type “Springer” offers two parallel legs. The bottom triple clamp attaches the rear leg. On the other hand, the wheel hub catches the leading link and also holds the other.
Hub-mounted Suspension
One of the most rare types. Consists of one or more swing arms that append the main chassis with the front wheel.
So, these are types of motorcycle front suspension types.
