Ohlins Motorcycle Shocks

The Ohlins story is another one of those “guy starts company in garage” tales that serve as inspiration for entrepreneurs of all stripes all over the world.  For Ohlins, the “guy” was Kenth Ohlins — an experienced motorcross racer — and the “garage” was his father’s workshop near Stockholm, Sweden.   In 1976 Kenth started offering a variety of motorcycle related products and by the early 1980’s Ohlins, though successful, was stretched pretty thin with so many product lines.  Kenth made the decision to scrap everything else and focus strictly on shock absorbers.  They began with motorcycle shocks but over the years they have applied their innovative suspension technologies to the Automobile, Atv, and Snowmobile markets.  Unlike many successful smaller companies that sell out to the big boys, Ohlins remains a family owned business.  Although Yamaha acquired a 50% interest in the company in 1987, Kenth later bought back most of the stock and now Yamaha’s interest is only 5%.

600rr-1000rr-ohlins-ttx-shock-30mm-cartridge-kit-combo-cbr600rr-cbr1000rr 600RR 1000RR OHLINS TTX Shock, 30mm Cartridge Kit Combo CBR600RR CBR1000RR
US $2,250.00
yzf-r6-r1-ohlins-ttx-shock-&-30mm-cartridge-kit-&-springs-combo YZF R6 R1 OHLINS TTX Shock & 30mm Cartridge Kit & Springs Combo
US $2,250.00
848-1098-1198-ohlins-ttx-shock-30mm-cartridge-kit 848 1098 1198 OHLINS TTX Shock, 30mm Cartridge Kit
US $2,250.00
daytona-675-ohlins-ttx-shock-30mm-cartridge-kit-combo Daytona 675 OHLINS TTX Shock, 30mm Cartridge Kit Combo
US $2,250.00
rsv4-factory-ohlins-ttx-shock-30mm-cartridge-kit-combo-rsv-4 RSV4 Factory OHLINS TTX Shock, 30mm Cartridge Kit Combo RSV 4
US $2,250.00
bmw-s1000rr-ohlins-ttx-shock-30mm-cartridge-kit-combo-s-1000rr BMW S1000RR OHLINS TTX Shock, 30mm Cartridge Kit Combo S 1000RR
US $2,250.00
gsxr600-gsxr1000-ohlins-ttx-shock-30mm-cartridge-kit- GSXR600 GSXR1000 OHLINS TTX Shock, 30mm Cartridge Kit
US $2,250.00
zx-10r-zx10r-ohlins-ttx-shock-30mm-fork-cartridge-kit-combo-kawasaki ZX-10R ZX10R OHLINS TTX Shock, 30mm Fork Cartridge Kit Combo Kawasaki
US $2,250.00
ohlins-shock-ttx-gsxr1000-su638 OHLINS SHOCK TTX GSXR1000 SU638
US $1,808.07
ohlins-ttx-shock-absorber Ohlins TTX Shock Absorber
US $1,681.95
ohlins-ttx-rear-shock-suzuki-gsxr-1000-k7-2007 OHLINS TTX REAR SHOCK SUZUKI GSXR-1000 K7 2007
US $1,634.10
ohlins-shock-cbr1000rr-ttx OHLINS SHOCK CBR1000RR TTX
US $1,587.53
ohlins-shock-gsxr1000-ttx-su788 OHLINS SHOCK GSXR1000 TTX SU788
US $1,587.40
10-11-bmw-s1000rr-ohlins-ttx-shock-absorber-rear-new 10 11 BMW S1000RR Ohlins TTX Shock Absorber REAR New
US $1,474.95
ohlins-ttx-shock-absorber Ohlins TTX Shock Absorber
US $1,474.95
2011-2012-suzuki-gsx-r1000-ohlins-ttx-shock-absorber-new 2011 2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Ohlins TTX Shock Absorber New
US $1,474.95
07-08-09-10-11-honda-cbr600rr-ohlins-ttx-shock-absorber-rear-new 07 08 09 10 11 Honda CBR600RR Ohlins TTX Shock Absorber REAR New
US $1,474.95
09-12-yamaha-yzf-r1-ohlins-ttx-shock-absorber-rear-new 09-12 Yamaha YZF-R1 Ohlins TTX Shock Absorber REAR New
US $1,474.95
2002-2003-2004-2005-2006-honda-rvt1000r-rc51-ohlins-46prxls-shock-absorber 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Honda RVT1000R RC51 Ohlins 46PRXLS Shock Absorber
US $1,474.95
2003-2004-suzuki-gsx-r1000-ohlins-46prxls-shock-absorber 2003 2004 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Ohlins 46PRXLS Shock Absorber
US $1,474.95

Ohlins shocks are primarily aftermarket offerings, but they also are an OEM supplier for many major automobile manufacturers, including Ford, Volkswagen, Volvo, Audi, and Mercedes Benz.  Still located in Sweden, Ohlins now has a United States distribution and service center in the heart of Nascar country — Hendersonville, North Carolina.   Ohlins shocks have been used by racers winning more than 200 International Racing Competitions of all types.  Their products aren’t cheap — you get what you pay for, many believe — but it is their series of breakthrough technological innovations that make them worth the price.  Each of these technologies has its own special logo, to identity its inclusion in a particular shock.  Let’s take a look at a few of the technologies that make Ohlins shocks so special.

Ohlins Technology:  Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CES)
At the heart of this innovation is the CES valve, a hydraulic pressure controller that receives electronic impulses from sensors that monitor changes in road and handling conditions.  As a car begins a turn, the sensors “sense” this and signal the CES valve to adjust the pressure to maintain optimal handling during the turn.  Right now CES is only available to OEM automotive manufacturers.

Ohlins Technology:  Twin Tube Technology (TTX)
The use of two tubes allows better balance between the compression and rebound stroke of the shock.  There is continuous gas pressure applied to the low-pressure side, allowing the needed pressure for both the compression and rebound stroke.

Ohlins Technology:  Chassis Stability Control (CSC)
CSC keeps the vehicle’s chassis stable during the ride.  It is actually an adjuster that monitors and modifies damping force to maintain optimal balance between the compression and rebound side.

Finally, if you question the idea that quality justifies price, consider this.  Ohlins shocks are so durable they are actually available used.  Check out Ebay and you’ll find folks who have upgraded and are selling their Ohlins.