TECHNOLOGY | TOURATECH SUSPENSION

In just 14 years, Touratech Suspension has established itself as one of the most important suspension suppliers in the motorbike sector. Uncompromising quality, innovative spirit and a consistent focus on customer needs are the pillars of this success.

Touratech products are ‘Made for Adventure’. This is not just a marketing claim, but a way of life for the motorbike enthusiasts in Niedereschach. If you build your motorbike with Touratech Parts, you can be sure that you are perfectly equipped for your adventure.

Protectors, luggage system, seat and ergonomics – everything is perfect. However, anyone who is involved in the customisation of motorbikes knows that the most important step in refinement concerns the chassis. Components are used here ex works that represent a good compromise for a wide range of applications. But nothing more. Touratech Suspension filled this gap in 2012. ‘We had set ourselves the goal of providing adventure riders with the optimum material for perfecting their suspension,’ Touratech CMO Martin Wickert recalls. ‘For many years, we had adapted components with our partner Öhlins so that they were suitable for Touratech customers. And then suddenly the opportunity arose to do it ourselves. We combined our expertise from several decades of long-distance travel experience with the technical knowledge of renowned manufacturing partners,’ says the well-travelled manager. ‘On this basis, we developed a range of high-end suspension elements that are precisely designed to meet the requirements of demanding journeys with high loads in challenging terrain’.

The Touratech Cartridge Kit Extreme

The portfolio has been consistently expanded over the years. The core element continues to be the ‘Travel’ series shock absorbers for adventure bikes, which are available in four professionalism levels.

As a high-end solution for upgrading the fork, the Cartridge Kit Extreme is available with extensive adjustment options for numerous touring enduro bikes.

The shock absorbers in the ‘E1’ series cover an incredibly wide range of models from 80s enduro bikes to modern-day street bikes. They offer a technically superior yet inexpensive alternative to the standard shock absorbers.

Touratech Replacement Springs

Equally inexpensive and effective is the upgrade of the standard components with the progressive replacement springs from Touratech Suspension, which are available for the fork and shock absorber of countless models from the road and off-road segment of various model years.

Lowering kits, which are available for numerous spring element series including cartridge kits, play a major role in the Touratech Suspension portfolio. ‘This is a special challenge: lowering an adventure suspension and still achieving almost the same performance,’ explains Felix Knop, Head of Touratech Suspension. ‘We are certainly leading the market in this field.’

‘We are particularly proud of our semi-active ‘Plug & Travel’ suspensions for GS models with Dynamic ESA,’ admits Martin Wickert. ‘In these high-end components, we combine the performance of the ultra-robust ‘Travel’ suspension struts with state-of-the-art technologies centred around a patented electronic valve - for outstanding performance and robustness even under extreme conditions. And the best thing about it: the spring elements are simply replaced with the standard material and are operated as usual using the original switches - just plug & travel’.

And Touratech Suspension is not resting on its laurels. This is exemplified by the introduction of the new ‘Extreme 2’ class, which features numerous ground-breaking improvements over its predecessor, the ‘Extreme’ series. For even better performance when travelling and in off-road use.

TOURATECH SUSPENSION COMPONENTS

PLUG IN, READY, GO!

Touratech Suspension presents the latest generation of the semi-active Plug & Travel Extreme 2 suspension elements for the BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure models, which offer a previously unrivalled riding experience thanks to numerous technical improvements.

Sensitive response, robust enough for travelling the world and able to be fitted to the motorbike without modifications - the semi-active suspension elements in the Touratech Suspension’s Plug & Travel range are the tried-and-tested tech upgrade for the BMW models R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure with the DDC electronic suspension.

The catchy claim ‘Plug & Travel’ sums up exactly what these unique semi-active suspension elements are all about: during installation, the existing plugs are simply reused, and operation is carried out as usual using the switches on the handlebars. The key difference to the standard material lies in the uncompromising design of the suspension elements for use when travelling and in difficult conditions away from the tarmac - for safety and comfort right up to the limits.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO MINIMISE INTERNAL FRICTION

The basic concept of the electronic Plug & Travel spring elements has all the advantages of their conventional counterparts in the new Extreme 2 series, i.e. a separating piston design, 46-millimetre low-friction pistons and a Touratech setup especially for travelling with luggage. All in all, these innovative technical solutions result in an unprecedentedly sensitive response behaviour. Of course, the electronic suspensions are also fully serviceable.

The damping is automatically adjusted via the patented electronic DDA valve, which reacts in real time to the road conditions.

INTENSIVE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT ON A PROVEN BASIS

The latest generation Extreme 2 for the BMW models R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure now offers a multitude of high-calibre innovations for even more comfort and riding pleasure.

The highlight is the newly designed electronic spring preload, which is integrated into the suspension strut housing. This compact design without an external pump makes installation even easier.

The revised, two-part expansion tank ensures a constant oil temperature even under extreme conditions thanks to its enlarged surface area and additional oil volume. For precise individual set-ups, the compression damping can now be adjusted separately in the high and low-speed range over a huge range of up to 30 clicks.

EXTREME 2

While the rider is enjoying the ride, the suspension elements are working hard. With extreme frequencies, they have to compensate for even the tiniest bumps in the road surface to enable precise wheel steering. In off-road use, there are also enormous loads when driving over edges or on jumps. Standard material is quickly overwhelmed by the range of these requirements.

Touratech Suspension has developed the new Extreme 2 suspension struts for all riders who insist on an outstanding riding experience, reliability and maximum safety even under extreme conditions. And these conventional suspension elements with a whole bundle of high-end technologies are now also available for the BMW R 1300 GS.

The surface of the piston rod is not only extremely resistant to scratches, but also impresses with noticeably less friction in the seal. The 46 millimetre thick damper piston also boasts extremely low friction thanks to its ‘Low Friction’ piston band. The separating piston of the damper also has an additional guide, which supports low-friction sliding. All in all, these innovative technical solutions result in a previously unrivalled sensitive response behaviour.

NEW PDS FOR MAXIMUM PENETRATION RESISTANCE

The Extreme 2 series also sets itself apart from conventional suspension struts in terms of puncture resistance thanks to its superior technology. The enhanced PDS function has a newly designed hydraulic stop that works even more precisely and reliably prevents bottoming out. The two-part reservoir has also been enlarged and therefore offers more oil volume and an optimised cooling surface. The noticeable result is constant damper performance right up to the extreme range.

PRECISE FINE TUNING OVER A WIDE RANGE

While the rebound damping on the Extreme 2 elements is also adjusted in the usual way at the base of the shock absorber, the compression adjustment on the reservoir now offers a significantly larger adjustment range with 30 clicks each for the separately adjustable rebound and compression damping for precise and reproducible individual set-ups.

SERVICEABLE LONG-LIVE COMPONENTS

Like all suspension elements from Touratech Suspension, the Extreme 2 suspension struts are of course fully serviceable.

MAKING NEW FROM OLD

Motorbike journalist and ACT scout Jon Bentman was looking for a mid-weight adventure bike at a reasonable price. He didn't find what he was looking for in a current brochure, but on the second-hand market - in the form of a 34-year-old Dominator. What the bike lacked was a modern chassis.

Back then, in 1990, as a recent university graduate, I was eagerly pursuing an amateur career in road racing while gaining professional experience. At the same time, I had to pay off the monthly instalments for my first house. And then there was the desire for a Honda NX650 Dominator. But there was simply no room for this fantastic bike in my situation at the time.

34 years later, in January 2024, a classified advert for a 1990 Dominator caught my eye: in a pitiful condition, but almost complete and apparently ready to ride. The price is tempting, but after a technical inspection I realise that the bike needs a thorough overhaul. So I knock another quarter off the price - and the ‘Domi’ is mine.

Surprisingly - and fortunately - the engine is the healthiest element. An oil and filter change is all it needs. It runs mechanically quiet, its exhaust fumes are smokeless and it is amazingly economical.

The age of the Domi was particularly evident in the chassis. The original suspension strut was buried under layers of dirt and rust, and the bell cranks had excessive play. The fork was still tight, but had far too much sag.

Completely dismantle and rebuild: The Dominator from 1990.

This is where Touratech came into play. The Touratech Suspension division supplies high-quality replacement fork elements to order for many neo-classic trail and adventure bikes. With progressive fork springs including the appropriate oil and model-specific shock absorbers, the best possible material is available for restoring old treasures.

After I managed to find an intact Pro-Link lever on the second-hand market, I can start with the suspension upgrade. The elegant appearance of the shock absorber with the golden elements on the precision-manufactured housing inspires me.

The shock fits perfectly and can be replaced 1:1 with the original. The spring stiffness is designed for my weight and riding style based on the Touratech Suspension Check, so I only have to adjust the preload. Replacing the fork springs and changing the fork oil is also child's play.

With the new spring elements, the Domi's seat height is immediately back at the right level. And after I fitted a new pair of Mitas tyres and serviced the rear brake, the bike feels 34 years younger. The handling on the road is impeccable, and on the trail the old lady masters technical passages with such ease that even riders of modern adventure bikes are amazed.