Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF

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Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF
BMW

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF

7th pictures

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF
BMW

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This is how potholes can disappear: The semi-active chassis system from ZF brings more calm to the motorcycle set-up, and thus more safety.

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF
BMW

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CDC technology sets the optimum damping force for each wheel in a fraction of a second. This enables maximum stability even in critical situations.

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF
BMW

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The heart of the CDC system: The suspension elements have semi-active damping, which ensures stability and comfort while driving.

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF
BMW

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Safety First: In the event of high spring movements, ZF’s own system automatically adjusts and increases the damping, which means more driving safety.

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF
BMW

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For more comfort, safety and agility: With the semi-active chassis from ZF, motorcycles can actively dampen each wheel and thus eliminate the disruptive effects of the road surface on the driving style.

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF
BMW

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The electrical control valves are designed for speed and theoretically allow up to 500 switchings per second, but in practice they need significantly less.

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF
BMW

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CDC technology is also available as an optional extra in the BMW F 850 ​​GS under the name “Dynamic ESA”.

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landing gear & Spring elements

Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF

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ZF makes potholes disappear
Safe on the move with semi-active chassis

ZF has been at home in motorcycle technology for 14 years. Nine different two-wheeler brands now use the semi-active chassis components from ZF ex works. This makes ZF a standard supplier for models from well-known manufacturers.

04/09/2019

ZF develops and produces, among other things, the suspension elements for sporty superbikes as well as for models from the touring and enduro segment. Many racing machines drive a little safer in competition, on the circuit or off-road, primarily because springs and dampers are installed by ZF. Semi-active suspension components are suspension elements that have automatically adjustable damping. ZF was the first on the market with this technology back in 2013. Since then, this technology has been contributing to greater driving safety and driving pleasure in motorcycling through new methods of chassis tuning.

With active response over bumps

The semi-active ZF damping unfolds its specific advantages, especially when bumps, bends or road steps occur, thereby ensuring a particularly safe journey. With the Continuous Damping Control System (CDC) ZF sensors continuously record the most important dynamic parameters on the motorcycle. From this, the ZF system always calculates the currently ideal damper rate. This variable setting prevents the machine from springing down uncontrollably up to the stop on bumps, for example, and from rolling down when cornering.


Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF


BMW

The electrical control valves are designed for speed and theoretically allow up to 500 switchings per second, but in practice they need significantly less. “.

This system is optionally available for individual wheel axles – for example for the rear axle on many touring machines. The CDC technology, however, offers particularly smooth adaptation to the prevailing road surface conditions for both axles. With this system, the damping of the spring elements at the front and rear is adjusted via electrical control valves. The control is designed entirely for speed and theoretically allows up to 500 switchings per second, but in practice it takes significantly fewer steps. Thanks to the significantly improved contact between the road and tires, the system provides a previously unattainable feeling of safety.

The ZF system is very popular with motorcyclists. In the BMW R 1200 GS, which has been the best-selling motorcycle on the German market for years, CDC technology is available as an option on more than 90 percent of the machines delivered under the name “Dynamic ESA”.

Suitable for the ride and the load

With the CDC, the driver can individually pre-select the basic setting for the damper characteristics and the load condition. To do this, he chooses between the levels of comfort, standard or sport, depending on the payload and the planned driving style. Naturally, the soft comfort setting offers the highest level of driving comfort, but with compromises in terms of steering precision and handling. If critical values ​​for the spring movement are reached with this setting, the system switches directly to high damping levels – including those that are stored in the map for the “Standard” or “Sport” settings. This coordination follows the premise “Safety first”. In such a case, the system only quickly switches back to “comfort” when the wheels are quiet again. Luigi Lobasso, Engineering Project Leader at ZF in Italy: “The motorcycle literally eats up the bumps in the road”.


Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF


ZF

This is how potholes can disappear: The semi-active chassis system from ZF brings more calm to the motorcycle set-up, and thus more safety.

The system works even more ingeniously in its further developed version, in which, in addition to the CDC system, an interaction with the ABS system and traction control can come into operation. Here, the adjustable chassis can be used both when braking and when accelerating to increase driving safety. The driver also benefits from being able to switch to the “Rain” position on a wet road, for example. On the often irritating road surface influences on unpaved roads, he uses the “Enduro” or even “Enduro Pro” setting when he needs more dynamic progress on gravel and bumps.

Although enduros naturally require the greatest range of uses for varying the road surface, the CDC system from ZF also improves handling when driving on the road or on the racetrack. The semi-active chassis of very sporty road models also includes the data on the steering angle and lean angle in the adaptation. This way of working is currently being tested at several racing championships. Accordingly, the tool can be further compared in direct comparison with the experiences of the active racing pilots. This leads to a further improvement in driving safety in top-class sport.


Safe on the move with semi-active chassis from ZF


BMW

For more comfort, safety and agility: With the semi-active chassis from ZF, motorcycles can actively dampen every wheel and thus eliminate the disruptive effects of the road surface on the driving style.

The system, which BMW offers under the name Dynamic ESA “Next Generation”, enables additional compensation for the suspension height in all driving situations, regardless of the load, thanks to an electrically adjustable spring base on the rear shock absorber. Here, the semi-active systems from ZF help to keep the damping always in a suitable correlation to the position of the coil spring.

ZF supplies control elements

Also originate Switches and controls for modern ZF motorcycles. From standardized individual switches to circuit carriers developed specifically for the customer, ZF implements all requirements, even for very complex functional groups. The spectrum ranges from the simple horn button on the handlebar grip, which can optionally be heated with ZF technology, to multi-stage adjustment selector switches for the chassis tuning, to the rotary control for the cruise control.

ZF Aftermarket expands product range

In addition to suspension systems and control electronics, ZF is increasingly expanding its portfolio for the two-wheeler sector. Sells beyond the existing range of spare parts and accessories for brake technology from TRW the ZF Aftermarket division also Sachs motorcycle clutches. The modern carbon clutch systems for current Formula 1 drives are also produced there. The existing know-how flows equally into the aggregates of tourers, superbikes, choppers, scooters, enduro, trikes and quads. The range includes brake components, clutches, handlebars, brake and clutch levers, footrest systems, raising and lowering kits and accessories.

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