How can you get better performance by choosing the right oil?
In suspension, elasticity is obtained mechanically through springs, while damping is obtained through hydraulics, using a liquid that is forced to flow through calibrated passages while opposing considerable resistance.
The devices in question are the shock absorbers, which in the forks are "incorporated" into the stems, and the fluid is a hydraulic oil which, in order to guarantee excellent performance, must have adequate properties, one of which is viscosity, i.e. its resistance to sliding.
The functions are different from those performed by oils for engines and transmissions, here there is no combustion and the oil therefore does not have to deal with high temperatures or pressures similar to those reached between the gear teeth and in the contact areas between the cams and the tappets.
In the forks and shock absorbers of motocross motorcycles, temperatures can exceed 100°C. Here, the main function of FORK OILS is not only to lubricate moving components, but also to support the load and remove heat, as happens inside engines.
This is therefore a very different and very demanding function that requires the use of products designed and manufactured for this type of use, such as OHLINS OILS which guarantee professional use with high technical characteristics by totally reducing friction and promoting the smoothness of the forks.
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How important is oil viscosity?
Viscosity is a physical characteristic that should not be confused with density. Compared to water, oil flows more slowly due to its viscosity. If you put a more viscous oil in a shock absorber, the hydraulic braking will be more vigorous, or the opposite happens if you use an oil with a lower viscosity.
In the world of motorcycles, oils are referred to as kinematic viscosity. The unit of measurement used in the motorcycle industry for suspension oils and those intended for engine lubrication is the SAE viscosity class, an acronym that stands for Society of Automotive Engineers.
The viscosity of oils decreases as temperatures increase. In suspension systems, it is important that the oil provides stable braking performance as temperatures vary. In other words, the viscosity index of the fluid must be very high.
An engine oil with a given SAE grade, and for several years now practically all engine oils, have been multigrade, in other words, when cold they fall into a lower SAE viscosity class and when hot into a higher one.
The decrease in viscosity caused by the increase in temperature is significantly lower than that of single-grade oils. For suspensions, it is best to be rigorous in your choice. For this reason, a manufacturer like Ohlins reports the kinematic viscosity of each oil in cSt on the container.
Their OHLINS MX FORK OIL demonstrates technical qualities and a rich dose of additives, which allows for high anti-foam properties, resulting in consistent and sensitive adjustments, which remain the same even after kilometres and kilometres of even heavy use and at any temperature.
The Ohlins number does not correspond to an SAE, the Ohlins viscosity is measured in cST, equal to the number of seconds that the oil can flow through a calibrated hole, so the higher the cST the higher the viscosity, the lower the cSt the lower the viscosity.
If your goal is to make your shock absorbers top-level then you must choose OHLINS MX FORK OIL , cutting-edge technical features that allow a very high reduction of internal friction with unique smoothness.
MX FORK OIL / FORKS OIL MX OHLINS
And what about the shock absorbers?
As mentioned, Ohlins does not hold back when it comes to aiming for excellence, withOHLINS SHOCK ABSORBER OIL friction is completely reduced and the smoothness of the mono shock absorber is improved.
The technical features and the rich dose of additives allow for constant hydraulic adjustments, which remain the same even after kilometers and kilometers of use on the circuit and at any temperature, a particularly high-quality Ohlins oil, the result of research and development leading to a one-of-a-kind blend, one of the best products in the world.
OHLINS SHOCK ABSORBER OIL is suitable for all shock absorbers and is particularly suitable for new and old generation monoshock absorbers equipped with Ohlins or Andreani Group shims and pumping elements.
A real gem for your driving experience.
OHLINS SUSPENSION OIL
As you've seen, choosing the right oil can't be left to chance and you need to choose the right brand to get a quality product, but you have nothing to worry about because Ohlins always creates top-of-the-line products.
Until next time!
