Exhibitor Spotlight at AIT | Öhlins’ Path to Breakthrough: From Racing Gold Standard to Comprehensive Market Solutions

In the hearts of performance car and motorcycle enthusiasts, Sweden’s Öhlins is a name that cannot be ignored. It is not only a perennial champion on professional racing tracks but also one of the key pioneers that has defined the evolution of suspension technology. 

Founded in 1976 by motocross rider Kenth Öhlin, the company has remained dedicated to the research and development of suspension systems. From helping Yamaha’s racing team win world championship titles in its early days to dominating premier competitions such as F1 and MotoGP today, Öhlins’ racing DNA stands as the ultimate testament to its product performance.

Since 2012, Gears Time has been the exclusive distributor of Öhlins in China, dedicated to bringing Öhlins products—born from professional racing—to a wider range of consumers.

1. Öhlins Brand Introduction  

Öhlins was founded in 1976 by motocross rider Kenth Öhlin, focusing on the development of suspension systems for cars, motorcycles, mountain bikes, and racing vehicles. After a period of contract manufacturing for shock absorbers, Öhlins began to concentrate on developing suspension systems specifically for motocross racing and established its racing division, Öhlins Racing AB.  

In 1981, British Yamaha rider Neil Hudson won the 250cc Motocross World Championship riding the MX250 motocross bike equipped with Öhlins suspension. Later, in 1983, Venezuelan Yamaha rider Carlos Alberto Lavado Jones won the 250cc Grand Prix on a Yamaha RR250, further cementing Öhlins’ reputation in the world of professional racing.

In 2007, Öhlins introduced the TTX system, derived from its racing shock absorber technology. The TTX series remains the most advanced suspension lineup under the Öhlins brand to this day. In 2009, Öhlins launched the Road & Track series, bridging the gap between everyday driving and professional racing. Over time, Öhlins suspension systems have been widely adopted by numerous high-performance motorcycles and automobiles, achieving a dominant presence in major motorsport events. Whether in F1 or MotoGP, Öhlins is a name consistently seen in the world’s top-tier racing competitions.    

Renowned worldwide for its outstanding suspension systems, Öhlins represents the pinnacle of suspension technology. From supercars blazing across racetracks to off-road motorcycles conquering rugged terrain, Öhlins continues to deliver unparalleled handling and performance for drivers and riders who demand nothing less than perfection.

2. Öhlins Booth Highlights

Automotive Suspension / Custom Suspension Solutions 

Gears Time is not only the exclusive distributor of Öhlins in China but also one of the few globally recognized partners authorized by the manufacturer with independent R&D capabilities. The company offers professional customized suspension services, giving customers the opportunity to obtain Öhlins suspension products tailored specifically for popular vehicle models in the Chinese market.

Motorcycle Suspension

In addition to automotive suspension systems, Gears Time also provides top-tier motorcycle suspension products. In fact, the Öhlins brand began its journey in 1976 with off-road motorcycle suspension and has since remained true to its core philosophy of being “Born from the Track.” Every Öhlins product inherits the same high-performance racing DNA and technical excellence, ensuring that professional-grade quality is delivered to every rider.

Mountain Bike Suspension

Since 2013, Öhlins has expanded into the mountain bike sector, focusing on the development of suspension systems for downhill and enduro riding. The brand also introduced the XC series, centered on high performance while balancing durability and precise handling. These products deliver a pure racing experience for riders across different cycling styles.

3. Technical Highlights

DFV (Dual Flow Valve) and TTX are Öhlins’ core patented technologies, widely applied across racing, street, two-wheel, and four-wheel products. 

The Road & Track series features Öhlins’ exclusive DFV technology, which is the key factor that sets Öhlins apart from other brands.

DFV: The All-Round Solution for Both Track and Street

Figure 1 (Compression): At low flow rates, the suspension oil primarily flows through the small holes on the shock core (lower dashed line). At higher flow rates, the oil passes through the valves on the piston (upper dashed line). Under extreme conditions, the oil can also overflow through the compression port in the DFV (middle dashed line), enhancing ride comfort.

Figure 2 (Rebound): At low flow rates, the suspension oil mainly releases through the small holes on the shock core (lower dashed line). At higher flow rates, the oil is released through the valves on the piston (upper dashed line). Under extreme conditions, the oil can also be released through the compression port in the DFV (middle arrow), maintaining tire contact with the road.

Figure 3: When the vehicle encounters a large impact from the road, causing the vehicle to bounce during suspension rebound, the suspension oil cannot flow quickly through the piston, which may result in the tires losing contact with the ground.

Figure 4: The DFV technology can quickly adjust the internal oil flow paths within the shock core based on road feedback. When encountering a large impact, the Dual Flow Valve (DFV) allows the oil to rapidly pass through the piston, absorbing the impact energy and keeping the tires firmly in contact with the ground at all times.

Figure 5: During the operation of the suspension, the temperature of the suspension oil continuously rises, which can affect the damping control. As the internal temperature of the shock increases, the valves inside the shock expand with the heat, altering the oil flow rate and ensuring consistent damping performance under all conditions. 

Therefore, whether for daily driving or on the track, DFV technology provides a balanced sporty and comfortable driving experience, which is the essence of the Road & Track series.

For dealerships, DFV technology represents an almost flawless solution for customers seeking the “best of both worlds,” covering the full spectrum of needs—from everyday commuting to track-day performance.

TTX: Track-Born Advanced Technology 

The core principle of TTX technology is to generate damping force by increasing oil pressure on one side of the piston while applying gas pressure on the other side. In traditional mono-tube shock absorbers, oil pressure on the piston side often drops, whereas the TTX system maintains oil pressure consistently above gas pressure, effectively preventing cavitation. 

Cavitation occurs when pressure inside the shock decreases, causing bubbles to form in the oil, which severely impacts damping performance. With TTX shocks, drivers and riders can experience unmatched handling stability and smooth damping under any operating condition. 

Additionally, TTX technology allows the oil flow adjustment of the compression valve and rebound valve to operate independently, meaning compression damping and rebound damping can be tuned separately.

TTX represents the pinnacle of Öhlins technology, serving as a “hard currency” for dealerships to cater to top-tier enthusiasts and establish a professional reputation.

4. Market Development 

How Gears Time Integrates Öhlins into China’s Aftermarket 

Since 2012, Gears Time, the exclusive distributor of Öhlins in China, has not only been responsible for the brand’s marketing and sales but has also undertaken a crucial mission: promoting localized Öhlins customization.

Custom Automotive Suspension:Gears Time is one of the few partners worldwide recognized by Öhlins with independent R&D capabilities. This means they can develop exclusive Öhlins suspension products for popular domestic models that do not have corresponding performance versions overseas (such as certain popular Japanese and German vehicles). This capability opens up a broader customer base for dealerships.

Full Product Coverage:From motorcycles—the brand’s starting point—to mountain bikes, Gears Time offers the complete Öhlins product lineup, enabling full-service performance dealerships to achieve “one partnership, multiple applications.”

5. Industry Insights 

 What Does the Öhlins Model Bring to the Aftermarket?

In the increasingly competitive automotive aftermarket, the collaboration model between Öhlins and Gears Time offers a valuable approach:

1. Technology is the ultimate brand barrier. When homogeneous competition leads to price wars, only core technologies that cannot be easily replicated can continuously earn recognition from high-end customers.

2. “Localization” is the key to unlocking growth. By developing products tailored to specific models in the Chinese market, a premium brand can expand from serving a niche enthusiast segment to the broader performance market, creating new business opportunities.

3. Dealerships need “solutions,” not just “parts.” Öhlins provides more than suspension systems—it delivers a complete performance upgrade package that balances street comfort and track performance, greatly simplifying dealerships’ efforts to communicate value to customers.

Öhlins’ journey of advancement proves a simple truth: no matter how the market evolves, the pursuit of ultimate performance and commitment to technological innovation will never go out of style. For performance dealerships aiming to upgrade, transform, and build a professional reputation, partnering with a brand like Öhlins is undoubtedly a trump card for accessing the high-end market.

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