International Dealer News IDN 148 April/May 2019 | Page 46

PRO GuIDe Matris SDK/SDR steering damper designs Italian suspension specialist Matris has been manufacturing some of the "best speed- sensitive dampers in the world for a long time" with a design that reacts to sudden movements by automatically increasing their damping without restricting movement at slow speeds. The short wheelbases and high-performance engines of modern sportbikes, by their nature, are more inclined to "nervous, twitching movement", regardless of frame or suspension design. Matris' new steering damper design improves the control the rider has of the front axle, damping all the oscillations and the rapid setting changes. The SDK and SDR SDK SDR dampers are said to reduce shaking of the front wheel and provide greater safety at high speeds. Matris steering dampers "offer 13 or 16 'active', fully adjustable, hydraulic damping options with calibrated holes and micrometric points of resistance and hardness - Matris' 'speed-sensitive' progressive hydraulic damping system". The twin tube system with titanium external cylinder and aluminium alloy coaxial internal cylinder and high tensile alloy steel single piston rod, hard chrome coating and lapped finish with PVD TIN (Titanium Nitride) surface treatment effectively delivers "zero" stiction - the friction which tends to prevent stationary surfaces from being set in motion. They have an external tank for controlled heat compensation of fluid expansion, pressurised with nitrogen gas for greater stability at high operating temperatures. HM Quickshifter Auto Blipper Noted British specialist HM Quickshifter, "a world- renowned leader in gear shift technology", has developed what it describes as a "cutting edge 'Quickshift-Auto Blipper' for the latest generation superbikes, delivering more accurate and consistent gearshifts". Although the system can have a significant effect on race times for both racers and track day enthusiasts, road riders can enjoy also a slicker, more accurate feel going both up and down the gearbox. Quickshift-Auto Blipper was proven in the highly competitive Pirelli National Superstock Championship by the Tyco BMW team, helping Keith Farmer to a hard-fought title. Developed as a direct replacement for bikes which have an 'up and down' quickshifter as original equipment, the HM version offers "vast improvements over the OE fitment". The crucial difference is the use of an ultra-sensitive 'strain gauge', as opposed to the simple OE switch and spring. HM Quickshifter's owner Gareth Hopkins said that "the OE systems have in many cases been shown to be unreliable, whereas the HM unit has no moving parts for mechanical failure. Riders of all levels also report that the OE design has a lack of 'feel' for positive upshifts and downshifts, losing much of the benefit of a quickshifter, while the replacement HM unit is fully adjustable for sensitivity". Developed to simply 'plug and play', the device fits directly into the existing Quickshifter port, suitable for both road or race gear shifting (standard or reverse 46 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL/MAY direction); it also fits standard and aftermarket rearsets. Varley went on to say that "we're excited to be able to offer the benefits of HM Quickshifter 'strain gauge' technology to riders of the most sophisticated superbikes and exceed the qualities of the original equipment. Racers can save tenths every lap, track day riders can concentrate on their lines, whilst road riders can enjoy smoother gear changes and maximise their riding enjoyment, so it's a 'win-win' for all types of riders!" Available for BMW S1000RR (2015 and up), Ducati 1299 Panigale (2016 and up), Ducati V4 (2018 and up), Honda CBR1000RR (2017 and up), Kawasaki ZX10R (2017 and up), Suzuki GSXR1000R (2017 and up), Yamaha YZF-R1 (2017 and up). Bikes without auto blippers but with ride by wire throttles can use the company's SBAS (Stand Alone Shifter Blipper). HM QUICKSHIFTER Sittingbourne, Kent, UK Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.hmquickshifter.com MATRIS S.R.L. Camisano Vicentino (VI), ITALY Tel: [phone] [email protected] matrisdampers.com Tiger 800 XR/C rear hugger British bodywork specialist Skidmarx has updated its rear hugger for the Triumph Tiger 800 to include the XR and XC models from 2018 on. Made in the UK from GRP glass fibre in a high- quality gloss black finish, it features an integral chain guard and fits neatly round the adventure sportbike's 17" rear wheel, shielding the rear shock absorber and suspension linkage from the dirt and debris thrown up by the back tyre. It is designed as a direct replacement for the OE chain guard; the hugger is supplied with a tailor-made fitting kit. For riders who want to keep weight to an absolute minimum, a carbon fibre version is also available, weighing approximately a third less than the GRP version. Skidmarx, UK; www.skidmarx.co.uk www.idnmag.com