Press Information

November 4, 2014

New Product with World-First Front Fork Technology Released at EICMA 2014
A lineup of products based on technologies, which have been thoroughly conceived and
developed, using our experience from motorsports
Balance Free Front Fork

Dual Bending Valve Front Fork

Inline piston unit installed on front fork

Free valve and disc valve incorporated as a unit

SHOWA CORPORATION has released its Balance Free Front Fork using world-first
technology consisting of a balance-free structure with an inline piston unit and a Dual
Bending Valve Front Fork employing a dual-bending valve structure at EICMA 2014, held
in Milan, Italy, from November 4 9, 2014. These technologies are Showa-original
designs and developments.
While accepting the challenges at the worlds pinnacle of motorsports in MotoGP, the FIM
Superbike World Championship, and the Dakar Rally, Showas motorcycle components
division has also developed a wide-range of shock absorbers and drivetrain components
adopted by motorcycle manufacturers around the world.
At the EICMA 2014 Showas first-ever appearance in this show we will exhibit our
latest technologies, which have been thoroughly conceived and developed, using our
experience from motorsports:
- "High Performance"
products, which satisfy the requirements of our most demanding customers
- "Innovative Technology"
technologies for the future
- "Racing-derived Technology"
products, which take technology directly from the race track to the customer
for a widespread market application
Visitors to EICMA 2014 will be able to take a close look at Showas products in Hall 14,
Stand M32 and see machines equipped with these products in the race categories of
MotoGP, Superbike World Championship, and , Dakar Rally.
Showa is in the process of developing further innovative products with the European
market in mind.

Sample technologies exhibited at the Showa booth:

High Performance

Innovative Technology

Racing-derived Technology

"High Performance" products, which satisfy the requirements of our most

demanding customers

Product name: Balance Free Front fork and BFRC lite

(Balance Free Rear Cushion - lite)
Conventional dampers suffer from the weakness that the pressure balance tends to
fluctuate, but this new product uses a hydraulic circuit that will not generate such
fluctuations. Also, concentration on the outside of the cylinder of the damping force
generation mechanism on the compression and rebound sides has enabled smooth and
optimum oil flows. The resulting improvement in damping force responsiveness enables
outstanding traction and absorption properties. Furthermore, the excellent controllability
when a motorcycle starts to move has helped achieve a high level of the conflicting
qualities of ride comfort at low speeds and stability at high speeds.
Using Showas unique technology of a balance-free structure with an inline piston unit
(a world-first technology)
Improved damper responsiveness compared with conventional products
State-of-the-art technology used in the 2014 seasons of MotoGP and Superbike World
Championship
BFRC lite gives full play to its performance on supersports and cruiser models alike
and saves 200 grams of weight

"Innovative Technology" technologies for the future

Product name: Dual Bending Valve

With the free valve structure, there is a limit to how much the compression damping force
can be reinforced. Therefore, the simple structure achieving a performance level
equivalent to that of a cartridge has been created, which enables Showa to offer the
innovative technology at a competitive price.
Uses the Dual Bending Valve structure, an original technology developed by Showa (a
world-first technology)
Linear damping characteristics in accordance with the stroke speed
Weight reduced by 250 grams per unit compared with a conventional cartridge structure

"Racing-derived Technology" products, which take technology directly from the race
track to the customer for a widespread market application

Product name: SFF-BP lite

(Separate Function front Fork with lite design Big Piston)
This high-performance inverted front fork from our Southeast Asian production facility
makes it possible to offer the product at a competitive price.
Concentrating the damping force generation mechanism in one tube reduces the number
of parts and the complexity.
Appearance and quality equal to existing high-performance inverted front forks
Dividing functions between right and left has created a simplified structure and reduced
the number of parts
Product name: SSIF
(Showa Smart Inverted front Fork)
For small motorcycles for recreational use in Southeast Asian markets, which we expect
to grow further in the near future, we have developed a small inverted type front fork with
improved quality in its performance and appearance.
Popular-priced front fork utilizing Showas unique big piston technology
Appearance and quality equal to existing high-performance inverted front forks
Product name: SFF
(Separate Function front Fork)
SFF has a structure with its spring reaction and damping force generation concentrated
in tubes on either side, thereby reducing the number of parts and the complexity as a
result. Using only one spring reduces by half the sliding resistance with the inner tube,
thus improving responsiveness and ride comfort.
The product has been developed for light motorcycles and small commuter models with
engine displacement of 150 cc or smaller.

For any further inquiries, please, contact:

Showa Europe R&D:

Showa Europe Sales:

Christoph Rust, M: +49 162 2727 400

Akio Tamura, M: +34 607 303 530