If you want mechatronic suspension for your motorcycle, Ohlins is working on your request.
Electronically controlled suspension has been available from the factory for Ducati’s Multistrada and BMW’s R1200 GS for a while now, but now Ohlins is building their suspension as an aftermarket system for other bikes, starting with Kawasaki’s 2011-2013 ZX-10R.
Why would you want mechatronic suspension? Here’s what it has to offer: In the Kawasaki’s case, the system is built around a TTX36 MkII shock absorber that’s been fitted with EC acturators that are wired to an Ohlins ECU. That ECU is then wired to the ZX-10’s ECU; using information from the Kawasaki unit, the system determines your suspension settings on the fly, based on throttle position, rpm range, wheel speed, and the like.
Ohlins’ press release says the system is also able to detect the Power Mode selected by the rider.
The new system isn’t cheap – Ohlins says it will cost $1,625 for the Kawasaki suspension in the U.S.; however riders will be able to upgrade the unit in the future, should new electronics become available, and the TTX36 shock is totally rebuildable.
I really don’t know if this will work out, but I guess we’ll see. The last thing I can imagine wanting in a race bike is inconsistent / ever-changing shock response. But perhaps I’m misguided.