TFX Suspension Technology in the Netherlands was founded in 2010 by Hans-Dieter Fischer and Alex Meijs. Hans-Dieter Fischer has his suspension roots in Dutch suspension manufacturer Technoflex which closed down in 2009.
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| Advanced piggyback shock |
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| Emulsion shock |
TFX is a completely new and separate business, and while it offers servicing for Technoflex products, in the five years since they have completely altered the designs and manufacturing technology, improving durability and performance and introducing a modular design and assembly principle.
This allows the company to build every shock absorber or front-end product ordered by their dealers precisely for the model concerned, and specifically for the weight, riding style and load characteristics of each individual customer's motorcycle and their riding habits - urban, touring, off-road or racing.
All TFX shock absorbers can therefore be retrofitted with the latest features and improvements, sold with a 5-year guarantee, and built to install without modifications to the bike. This also allows them to offer a custom suspension service, with shocks and springs of any length, and setting and adjustment options in any combination.
This is why, for example, they have been able to jump into the new 'Africa Twin' so quickly, indeed Hans-Dieter told IDN that "for us responding to new model launches is no problem. We had application packages developed within days of Ducati's launch of the Scrambler and the appearance in showrooms of Yamaha's new bikes. Our dealers know that they can contact us straight away if they want to upgrade the suspension on new models as soon as they are launched, and if they want to improve the handling and performance of any customer's new or pre-owned bike".
For the 'Africa Twin', TFX is able to offer a choice of replacement shock absorbers, springs, front fork springs and hydraulic pre-load adjustment.
Their "entry-level" shock absorber is the gas charged single tube TFX 140 emulsion shock, which is available with or without a separation piston (depending on the model) and features adjustable rebound damping, which stiffens compression and rebound simultaneously.
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| Front fork springs |
Like all their range, it is made from heavy-duty materials for strength and durability in all circumstances - urban cycle or long-distance touring. Two preload adjustment rings mean it can be tuned to the riding circumstances - solo, two-up, luggage - and a low-friction seal that is supported by a Teflon back-up ring. This ensures that the seal doesn't deform, and eliminates the static friction on the shaft, which leads to better performance, durability and stability.
Hans-Dieter Fischer says: "These are some of the best quality OE replacement shocks available on the market today, and we work hard to continue developing them, so they stay that way".
The TFX 142 is an advanced piggyback shock that offers adjustable high-speed and low-speed compression damping, a remote fluid reservoir, adjustable rebound damping, superior floating piston technology and low-friction seals, "which all adds up to a highly refined shock that can be tuned with precision to meet the riding style and handling characteristics", says Hans-Dieter.
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| Shock absorber springs |
They come in different styles depending on the kind of top mount needed for the motorcycle - 'Pisol', where the reservoir comes straight out of the back, 'Quer,' where the reservoir can be placed left or right and 'Straight' where it goes straight down, with a top mount completely CNC manufactured from 7075 aerospace grade aluminium alloy. "This shock absorber is for the rider who wants high performance, durability, control and refined tuning options. It is an ideal choice for racing, off-road riding or extended trips".
TFX offer a wide range of high quality fork and shock springs for road and motocross applications. Their progressive and linear front fork springs are manufactured from "the highest quality materials to provide a spring that will match the rider's requirements. They can be soft enough at the start of travel to absorb small road bumps and provide a more ‘comfortable’ ride, yet still offer the firmness at the end of the trip to handle the big bumps and potholes, major loading under braking and prevent bottoming out.
"For road racing, TFX springs can help you brake later, get on the gas sooner and increase your lean angle by maintaining cornering clearance and preventing excessive dive under braking. At the same time it can help maintain proper chassis geometry under acceleration, increasing confidence levels at the limits of traction.
"For the street riders, TFX springs are vital to tailor the machine to the exact weight, riding style and preferred riding conditions, delivering a stable, compliant ride, improving cornering clearance, and reducing dive, squat and bottoming. In many cases, using the proper, stiffer springs (front and rear) actually improves ride quality while it takes handling to the next level of performance".
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| Pre-load adjuster |
"Next to the tyres, proper suspension choices are the most important decision a rider can make for safety, performance and enjoyment and, especially with dual purpose bikes such as the new 'Africa Twin', the stock suspension set-ups are a compromise - we have the technology and versatility to allow dealers to offer optimised suspension set-ups for every one of their riders".
TFX also offers one of the most advanced suspension technology programmes available in Europe for Quads and ATVs (and side cars), so working with MX models/off-roaders and adventure sports models such as the 'Africa Twin' is core competency that is driven and made possible by their modular all-purpose customised shock manufacturing concept.
TFX SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY
www.tfxsuspension.com
