Course on telescopic and alternative suspensions
Online course of 300 hours in telescopic and alternative suspensions: 6 modules covering suspension dynamics, the telescopic fork, alternative front-end systems, rear suspension, and setup and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the suspension dynamics of a motorcycle.
Analyse the internal operation of the telescopic fork.
Compare alternative front suspension systems.
Design the leverage ratio of a rear suspension.
Carry out setups based on travel data.
Diagnose handling faults attributable to the suspension.
Design a suspension system for a specific use.
Who it's for
- Suspension technicians looking to broaden their technical knowledge.
- Chassis engineers who want to master front and rear suspension design.
- Race mechanics responsible for suspension setup.
- Test engineers working on motorcycle handling.
- Suspension component designers.
- Motorcycle tuners and preparers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join motorcycle manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- ISO 2631-1:1997 (human exposure to whole-body vibration)
- ISO 8608:2016 (road surface profiles)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014 (construction requirements for L-category vehicles)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014 (functional safety)
- ISO 6725:1981 (motorcycle dimensions)
- ISO 8855:2011 (vehicle dynamics, vocabulary)
- MATLAB
- Adams
- Microsoft Excel
- 2D Datarecording
6 modules
1.1Functions: comfort, grip and control1.2Sprung and unsprung mass1.3Natural frequency and critical damping1.4Spring rate and preload1.5Static sinkage and sag1.6Load transfer under braking1.7Road profiles and excitation1.8Comfort according to transmitted vibration1.9Damper force-velocity curves1.10Practical exercise: spring calculation for a given weight
2.1Conventional and upside-down forks2.2Open and closed cartridges2.3Hydraulics: compression and rebound2.4Coil and air springs2.5Oil level and viscosity2.6Friction and bushings2.7Stiffness of fork tubes and triple clamps2.8Semi-active forks with electronic control2.9Maintenance and seals2.10Workshop: oil change and level adjustment
3.1BMW Telelever parallelogram3.2Duolever and Hossack3.3Bimota Tesi front swingarm3.4Hub-centre steering3.5Leading-link forks on classic motorcycles3.6Anti-dive advantages3.7Drawbacks in feel and weight3.8Racing applications3.9Comparison of stiffness and friction3.10Case study: Telelever versus upside-down fork comparison
4.1Monoshock and twin shock4.2Progressive linkages and leverage ratio4.3Shock absorber with remote reservoir4.4High- and low-speed compression adjustment4.5Shock absorber height and length4.6Semi-active electronic suspension4.7Maintenance and nitrogen4.8Interaction with chain pull4.9Setup for passenger and load4.10Lab: leverage ratio curve
5.1Measuring static and dynamic sag5.2Baseline setup procedure5.3Symptoms and diagnosis of setup faults5.4Travel potentiometers5.5Velocity histograms5.6Shock absorber dyno5.7Setup for track, road and off-road5.8Communication with the rider5.9Setup logging5.10Practical exercise: setup diagnosis with travel data
6.1Definition of the motorcycle and its use6.2Selection of the front system6.3Selection of the rear system6.4Spring and damping calculation6.5Linkage design6.6Baseline setup plan6.7Test plan6.8Comparison with alternatives6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, Adams, Microsoft Excel and 2D Datarecording, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: spring and damping calculation, shock absorber dyno testing and setup diagnosis with potentiometers. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: ISO 2631-1:1997, ISO 8608:2016, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014, ISO 6725:1981, ISO 8855:2011.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB, Adams, Microsoft Excel, 2D Datarecording, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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