Some of us may be guilty of ogling Öhlins suspension components to the exclusion of all others. Dazzled by the preponderance of the Swedish company’s springs in MotoGP, World SBK, and top-class racing across the world, it’s easy to get wooed and googly-eyed and overlook other makes. If suspension component upgrades are on your to-do list for this winter, check out these other fantastic brands we scoped out at AIMExpo.
Nitron is a British-based company that's been building exceptional suspension components for over a decade. As you'd expect, it's not uncommon to see them on BSB and roadracing machines, though they'll probably be rarer at your local trackday. Nitron makes a full range of components for street and ADV applications, including monoshocks, twin shocks, cartridge kits, and forks. Expect meticulous attention to detail, high performance, and admiring glances at your next bike night.
North Carolina-based JRi Shocks builds shocks for a broad range of applications, including drag racing, roadracing, and off road. It also builds non-adjustable and single-adjustable (preload) shocks for Harley-Davidsons, a product range that is performing well for the company.
In certain circles, Race Tech is synonymous with building high-performance fork cartridges, but it also makes shocks and forks for most two-wheeled applications. Take, for instance, its G6 custom forks, which are made-to-order units that feature 25mm fork compression and rebound valves. Race Tech’s G3-S series rear shocks are also custom built to suit the individual riders needs with available remote, piggyback, or pistol reservoirs. Like JRi, Race Tech shocks are built in the USA and built to last.