2013 KX450F gets air spring forks!!!

[Marc.com]

Spring in 1 leg & dampening in the other isn't new, trials bikes have run like that on & off most of this century & possibly in the 90s as well

Thats what they are running at the moment isn't it.

[Gerard De Ruyter (Twistandshout)]

The early test writeups are very positive about the low speed and high speed capabilities of the 'new' fork design. But I read an interview with some US MX suspension expert who said the very latest designs of the separate function forks are way better still, and the top SX/MX guys have been amazed, and he's sure they'll be the norm in three-four years.  ie, their ability to be plush on low-med speed bumps and take the big/massive hits no worries too.  and easier/faster to work on, hand adjustable preload, more tunability for compression and rebound damping etc.

[Simo63]

You’ll have to forgive the skeptics here as anyone that has seen a few decades pass by will have remembered all sorts of innovative gizmo’s come and go including Yamaha’s air forks of 76.

Next thing they will release will be an anti-dive front end 

[maico police]

As I say. Kawasaki must be kicking themselves that they didn't ask the 'experts' first.....

[vmxrider]

What happens to air forks if they get a leak?, must be something in the technology to stop 'em going "flat" quickly. Could be ugly on a hard landing.   

[John Orchard]

What happens to air forks if they get a leak?, must be something in the technology to stop 'em going "flat" quickly. Could be ugly on a hard landing.   

My RM forks are 35 years old, I put in 20lb 4 months ago; hasn't lost 1lb yet.  Yeh I was amazed lol

[GMC]

My RM forks are 35 years old, I put in 20lb 4 months ago; hasn't lost 1lb yet.  Yeh I was amazed lol

I'd like to apply that technology to my wheels

[tugger]

The 2013 ktm have the same fork. i think.

[evo550]

...and in a few years we'll have a "new" air shock...been there done that.

[matcho mick]

i'm surprised Pancho hasn't mentioned 48 Velo mac's yet,their air forks lasted 2 seasons before getting binned,(went to internal springs),

[pancho]

i'm surprised Pancho hasn't mentioned 48 Velo mac's yet,their air forks lasted 2 seasons before getting binned,(went to internal springs),

You beat me to it!

[head]

Honda CRF450 as well.
 * Fork. The CRF450 will now come with Kayaba’s all-new Pneumatic Spring Fork (PSF). This design doesn’t use main springs, which reduces unsprung weight by 1.7 pounds. It also lowers fork friction to allow quicker reaction from the front wheel over bumps and keeps the front end planted. Air replaces the main springs, making it easy for a rider to easily adjust the stiffness of the fork by adding or dropping air pressure by way of a Schrader valve on top of the fork cap. Adding or dropping 2 psi equates to a different spring rate. It’s worth noting that the PSF that comes on the Honda is developed specifically for the CRF450 (meaning that it’s not the exact same fork as what comes on the 2013 KX450F).
* The Pneumatic Spring Fork is the next thing in suspension technology (although it too is old techonolgy that every 1970s racer or Yamaha owner will remember). For 2013 the 2013 KX450F also uses Kayaba’s PSF design, and Showa has their own air fork design. Will fork springs suffer the same fate as the carburetor? They didn't the last time this was tried, but technology often moves forward by looking backwards.

[Simo63]

So you would then guess the rear spring will go the same way as well and they will produce a rear mono-airshock as standard equipment

[head]

 I was very surprised by the Kayaba PSF fork performance. The fork action seemed more consistent over a broader range of track conditions. The front end also maintained better contact with the ground. I swore that I was losing my mind, but then I reconfirmed my thoughts when I jumped back and forth between 2012 and 2013 models. Let me sum this answer up by saying that I can’t wait to try out this fork design on a very rough track where front end traction is pivotal. One track, perfectly prepped for a press intro, is not the end-all be-all of test tracks.

[John Orchard]

Yeh I read that in CRF450R test by MXA also.