Motorcycle Fork & Shock Lowering Suspension Springs

When most riders talk performance the first thing they think of is POWER - but if you're smart, that's the last on the list. Shoving grunt into a chassis that can't cope builds a scary bucking bronco. First steps are basics - make sure your bike is properly maintained, clean, no leaks, fresh oil, good clutch setup. Remove any extra weight. Fit grippy tyres. You've got the perfect starting point! Quality suspension comes next & Teknik Motorsport are motorcycle suspension tuning experts.

Stock suspension heights don't suit everyone. Shorter riders can use rear tricks like lowering links or internal stroke reducing spacers inside the coilover. Front fork tubes can often be slid up inside the triple clamps (well, till they hit the underside of the handlebars). But a skilled DIY garage tuner or mechanic can combine another way - performance aftermarket lowering springs. These are easy to install by yourself with a fork spring compressor or one of our shock spring compressors - but they often use a progressive rate to combat harshness over the reduced suspension stroke, so are best paired with valving changes to keep a smooth comfortable ride.

If you are after standard height springs - try our Fork Springs section or Shock Springs section - both of which are available in linear rates (where you can search our whole database by length, diameter and rate) or progressive rates. Please contact us if you need advice for your setup.

Progressive rate springs have coils that are wound closer together at one end and further apart at the other - so they are soft at the beginning of the stroke, becoming much stiffer near the end. With matching damping, they can help keep your suspension plush on small bumps while still providing enough force for a big thump. They don't feel consistent enough for some riders though; how hard you attack a corner doesn't directly equal how hard the suspension pushes back because of that ramp-up.

Linear rate springs have evenly spaced coils - so one millimetre of compression at the beginning increases force the same amount as adding an additional millimetre near the end. With the wrong suspension setup a linear spring can be too harsh at the beginning or run out of strength at the end - but it gives very stable & predictable feedback to a rider pushing hard.

Watching racing videos, do the winners look like they're being kicked around? That circuit star can lean further, without braking dive, sailing over cornering bumps that push you off line. That motocross hero hooks up on loosest dirt, turns quicker after landing jumps, floats over whoops that rattle you roughly. Are they more skilled? Maybe. But their motorbike is predictable & controlled, giving confidence to push grip further & time to concentrate on faster laps.

Tuned suspensions aren't just for the track though. Riding on potholed tarmac or offroad trail adventures improves too - a smooth ride, comfortable saddle no longer absorbing corrugations & vibration, longer endurance. Keeping safe tyre contact with the road under all conditions gives more grip & acceleration.

So now you've built up some skills & experienced riding a competent bike, how about setting up your gearing for better lap times & ridability? You're finally ready to turn up the wick with a screaming tuned engine & a blasting aftermarket muffler - but have a think about it first.