Magical spring that improves stability and retains performance

Hyperpro is a Dutch spring manufacturer. The company has developed its own "Constant Rising Rate" springs and offers a wide range of springs suited to the characteristics of the bike. In this article, we will explain how the Constant Rising Rate spring differs from regular springs and what advantages it offers. Particular attention was paid to the "lowering" of the bike, which can be achieved without sacrificing performance, to improve the suspension. Hyper Pro offers a lineup of lowered springs that dramatically improves the suspension while maintaining driving performance by taking advantage of the constant-rising rate characteristics. The lineup covers approximately 250 vehicle models, and the company plans to increase the lineup in the future. Active, which develops and produces various parts including suspension systems, has been dealing with Hyper Pro springs since 1994, and is currently developing a unique Japanese shock absorber called "JapanSpec", The company has been focusing on the potential of constant-rising rates since early on. We interviewed Mr. Tomonori Uda, who plays a central role in the Hyper Pro business at Active, about the advantages of constant rising rates, focusing on Hyper Pro's low-down springs.

Active with full-time staff

Mr. Uda is a full-time staff member of Hyper Pro at Active Co. He joined Active in 2009 after gaining experience at a mass parts retailer and a custom store. He says, "I learned about Hyper Pro when I was working at a mass retailer and was amazed by its features, so I was actively selling it. I have ridden and set up various types of vehicles, and I use this experience to propose the creation of bikes that are not only fast, but also comfortable to ride," says Uda.

What is "Constant Rising Rate"?

Among the many suspension manufacturers, Hyper Pro specializes in springs. Springs can be used in many types of vehicles as long as the free length (overall length of the spring) and diameter are matched, but Hyper Pro has developed and prepared springs specially designed to match the characteristics of each vehicle model. The variety of springs is vast, and of course the development cost is high, but Hyper Pro has dared to develop a lineup of springs specifically for each car model in order to provide a comfortable ride for many riders. In pursuit of the possibilities of springs, Hyper Pro's unique "Constant Rising Rate" spring was born. Unlike ordinary springs, this spring has a structure in which the pitch of the winding gradually increases. Hyper Pro front springs. Constant Rising Rate is a spring whose rate (a numerical value that expresses the hardness of the spring) changes smoothly depending on the situation," says Uda. There are two types of springs: single-rate and progressive-rate. Single-rate springs have a fixed rate, while progressive-rate springs have two or, in recent years, three different rates. These two or three rate springs are often used in stock vehicles. The reason for this is that the lower rate range is used for straddling and low-load driving, while the higher rate springs are used for high-load situations such as cornering and going through gaps. Constant Rising Rate rear springs. The finer pitch is on the upper side to cover lower load areas.Comparison of normal spring (above) and Hyper Pro. The normal spring has an abrupt change in pitch around the right third of the spring, while the Hyper Pro spring spreads out toward the left (bottom). The Hyper Pro spring is classified as a progressive rate spring, but the rate increases gradually rather than in stages. "Hyper Pro springs are classified as progressive rate springs. The constant rising rate is also characterized by a slower rate of spring extension, which prevents unpleasant vibrations from being picked up. This prevents the springs from picking up unpleasant vibrations and reduces fatigue while touring. Comparison between the stock suspension and Hyper Pro springs (lowered) on a V-Strom250SX. The free length is slightly shorter on the lowered spring, but the difference is obvious when riding. The wire diameter of the springs is slightly thicker on the Hyper Pro.

Low-down spring with the advantage of constant rising rate

The most common method of lowering the vehicle height is to change the linkage of the single rear shock. However, this method changes the lever ratio, which changes suspension movement, body characteristics, and body posture. This has the demerit of making the ride less comfortable and changing the handling. However, HYPER PRO has a lineup of springs that maintain suspension performance while also providing a lowering effect. While standard springs are developed to enhance comfort and driving performance, the lowered springs are designed to add extra stability to the vehicle. Standard springs are available for about 900 models, and lowered springs are available for about 250 models. ( Click here to search for low-down springs) Standard (above) and low-down types of Hyper Pro springs for the V-Strom250SX. The lowered one is slightly shorter, but it is not just shortened, and the performance has been well maintained through testing Footprint comparison of the V-Strom250SX. The V-Strom250SX has a higher spring rate and more thrust, so the footing and ride quality is much improved. Mr. Uda continues, "The Hyper Pro springs are designed to be more stable and comfortable to ride. The Hyper Pro spring has a low rate in the early stages of sinkage and a high rate in the high load range. Therefore, the effect of lowering can be achieved without reducing the free length of the springs. The ride height is not lowered much when only the vehicle weight is on the bike, but when the vehicle is in the riding position, the lower rate spring sinks in, making it easier for the driver's feet to reach the vehicle. However, if you use Hyper Pro springs, you can lower the bike without changing the length of the springs significantly. In fact, Hyper Pro's low down spring for CB400SF (twin shock) is also very popular. Comparison of suspension of CB400SF. Many models with twin suspension are also supported. Comparison for GSX-S1000S Katana The lineup also includes a spring for Harley's only mid-size vehicle, the X350. Low-down springs are available for both the front and rear, but when replacing only the rear, for example, the front forks must be pushed out (i.e., the front forks must be shifted downward) in order to maintain the vehicle's stance. Since the movement of the springs will be different for the front and rear forks, the ride quality will change, and it is desirable to replace the front and rear springs at the same time in order to experience the lowering effect and maintain ride comfort. Active also offers a combination kit that includes front and rear springs and fork oil, but because it is developed specifically for a particular model of vehicle, it also includes data on the appropriate oil level (amount of oil in the front forks) and the amount of fork protrusion for that model. This is a combination kit that includes front and rear springs and fork oil. There are a number of normal length springs as well as lowered springs. Spring replacement requires some tools that the average user does not have, and requires a certain amount of skill. Thankfully, Active offers a rear spring replacement service. The front springs are not too difficult to replace at a motorcycle store, but the rear springs are difficult to replace on some models. In this case, you can send the springs and shock absorbers you purchased to Active and have the springs replaced in about a week. (For details of the rear spring replacement service, see here.Service for general users and special vehicles that do not have special tools.

Japan Spec, a suspension unit unique to Japan

While springs are important when discussing Hyper Pro, the suspension unit that can be exchanged as an assembly is also noteworthy. The "Japan Spec" suspension unit was assembled in Japan to maximize the benefits of Hyper Pro. The Japan Spec suspension unit is not only high in performance, but also uses a highly rigid and heat-dissipating body and is equipped with a variety of adjustable mechanisms that contribute to a comfortable ride in all conditions. This suspension, a collaboration between Active's dedicated staff including Mr. Uda and Hyper Pro, was developed based on the concept of "full-situation suspension," and has a wide range of settings to cover everything from touring to winding roads and circuit driving. It has a wide range of settings to cover everything from touring to winding and circuit driving. Both the front and rear shocks are available in multiple models, with settings for different vehicle models. The "Street Box," which includes front springs and rear shocks as a set, is also available. The company also offers a "Street Box," a set of front springs and rear shocks that comes with a vehicle-specific setting manual. The suspension with this sticker on it is the proof of Japan Spec.Image Gallery (20)

Magical spring that improves stability and retains performance

2026.2.12

Hyperpro is a Dutch spring manufacturer. The company has developed its own "Constant Rising Rate" springs and offers a wide range of springs suited to...