215.VM2.K5 VIBRATION CANCELLATION FLUID

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

What is it? – The SMART Performance 215.VM2.K5 is a highly engineered suspension liquid to be used as a complete fluid replacement for many hydraulic damping based suspension systems. The fluid exhibits and sustains a unique quality that cancels and compresses high frequency vibrations (chatter) and also stabilizes piston flows. This leads to a smoother ride with more control and can dramatically reduce problems associated with “blow-through” (over-oscillation) and high frequency chatter common with factory suspension systems. Blow-through is the most common contributor to reducing forward speed, as well as being the primary cause of short and long term internal damage. Suspension chatter is the primary cause of arm-pump and excessive rider fatigue.

 

The key benefit with 215.VM2.K5 is that it achieves its state without the use of polymer type additives, which shear from the abuse common in off-road applications. When polymers shear, the viscosity radically diminishes and the fluid is permanently degraded. This shearing will occur with even the highest-grade (high-viscosity index or VI) polymer based fluids, starting with many 5W products. Lower-grade fluids can often experience complete and irreversible failure within 20 minutes of heavy abuse.

 

Additionally, the inherent properties of the 215.VM2.K5 blend cause the molecules of the fluid to bind or wrap to the metal and rubber components within the suspension, which not only reduce static friction (“stiction”) but also prevents the fluid from “shaking-off” during ultra high-speed strikes. This is achieved without the use of Teflon or PTFE.

 

Where to use it – The 215.VM2.K5 was designed and intended for use in modern motocross suspension designs, forks and shocks. The product has not been tested for use in street applications or non-Japanese suspension designs, (but we are working on it).

 

When to use it – The 215.VM2.K5 should be used in suspension systems that exhibit excessive vibrations or chatter that begin in the wheel (un-sprung weight) and are transmitted into the bike and rider (sprung weight). Additionally, 215.VM2.K5 should also be used for suspension designs in which ideal damping curves are achieved but excessive blow-through or chatter is still present. The most significant benefits (returns) are with unmodified factory forks and shocks but additional tuning with 215.VM2.K5 may be beneficial.

 

How to install – The 215.VM2.K5 fluid SHOULD NOT BE MIXED with other suspension fluids or any other products. Therefore, the suspension should be fully serviced so that all residual fluid and contaminants are fully removed. The use of residual free non-toxic solvents, (*see footnote) clean lint-free towels and moisture free compressed air should be the benchmark for any suspension rebuild. 

 

The bottom line – 215.VM2.K5 can radically increase the performance of the suspension system. A bike that chatters and bottoms excessively, or one with a suspension that tends to blow-through, (mostly seen on jump landings) can often be tamed with nothing more than a simple service. Riders have reported significant reductions or complete elimination of arm pump, fatigue and blisters, and note that the bike feels more planted, stable and responsive to input, particularly as speeds increase. Safety is also significantly enhanced in cases of flat landings and jump casings due to radical shifts in the damping rates associated with end-of-stroke oil locks (all modern twin camber and air-oil-separate forks).

 

My manual calls for a specific type of fluid? Don’t the manufactures know what’s best? – Factory replacement racing fluids are often very high quality fluids that are manufactured in large quantities, (in other words, you get a lot for your money). The higher grade high-performance Showa and KYB replacement fluids (not to be confused with what your bike came with) are some of the best on the planet. We have actually found that these fluids are superior to all aftermarket fluids that we have tested in the 2.5 to 7.5-weight range.

 

That said, when you design an aftermarket fluid you have to make sure that the fluid delivers everything that the compounds that are used in the suspension system require. This is sort of like getting your daily multi-vitamin. In other words, some materials (as used in seals and bushings) require certain chemicals in order for them to offer their highest performance and greatest longevity. Additionally, you cannot have any chemical compounds in a fluid that would cause a negative reaction with the materials used within the design of the suspension. For example, you want your seals and bushings to be slippery and flexible, but never dry out from reacting to the fluid. Oxidation on aluminum is another good example of this. 

 

To address both of these matters, we had to make sure that when we formulated 215.VM2.K5 to have all the compounds required, and to not have any that were known to cause complications.

 

Are my service intervals effected? – Yes and no. Because 215.VM2.K5 will withstand extreme heat and the hammering abuse of off-road riding better than anything we have found, you could in theory go longer between service changes. There will also be less surface tension between seals and shafts, so oil loss, air entry and drops in nitrogen will be less than with conventional fluids. However, service is not just about changing oil, it’s about assuring that all of the components within a suspension are in full and safe operation. With this, many top riders will tear down their suspensions after each race but reuse the 215.VM2.K5 until excessive contamination occurs.

 

What effects does heat have on 215.VM2.K5? – The fluid will not experience a molecular change until temperatures reach 340F/171C. If you decide to place your shocks or forks on a barbeque, this may present a concern. If not, we have yet to see a shock or set of forks reach this temperature.

 

What is the actually viscosity of 215.VM2.K5? – We don’t publish this information but do keep in mind that the fluid will not be in the same state that you see it go in once it reaches operating temperature. This means a slight warm-up will be required before a rider can operate at full speed or evaluate any necessary changes. Additionally, the 215.VM2.K5 is able to do what it does since the behavior of the fluid is different or unique at various suspension velocities. It is, in effect, an intelligent fluid able to react and response to each condition that comes into the bike. 

 

 

Will 215/VM2-K5 cure arm pump? – The short answer is yes. In fact, most riders will report that after they install 215.VM2.K5, arm-pump is completely eliminated. The bigger question is…why?

 

To understand this, you have to understand that arm-pump is a condition, or more appropriately, a reaction. Since we don’t get arm-pump while sitting on the bike while in the pits, it’s easy to assume that something changes when you head out on the track or trail. The difference is vibration and all vibrations can be measured by their frequencies (how fast they are moving (oscillating) given the time in which they are measured).

 

So the short story is that vibrations cause arm-pump (or better put, vibrations that resonant our bones and tissue). This is why things like grips, gloves, handlebar bumpers and inserts help to alleviate the vibrations coming into the body by canceling or decreasing the frequency in which the vibration occurs. And of course anything we do to help ease the pain (Advil, Tylenol, surgery…not holding on so tight) doesn’t really reduce the cause of arm-pump, it just makes the problem less painful. By the way, the reason why some of us get arm pump and other don’t is the resonance that each of our bodies have. In other words, our bones and muscles all sing a different tune when various vibrations come into them, (some cancel it out better than others).

 

One of the greatest vibration creating systems on a dirt bike is the suspension, or better put, the vibrations that are generated and transmitted by the suspension and into the rider originating from the stuff we roll over. A suspension system, in theory, should keep this from happening but in many cases it makes matters worse as long vibrations (non-painful) are converted into much shorter ones. However, without this conversion process winning a race or riding fast and safe would not be possible.

 

How 215.VM2.K5 works as a “vibration cancellation fluid” (you knew we were coming to this) is that it cancels out the vibrations or frequencies that the suspension system generates when converting big movements into smaller ones. It other words, the 215.VM2.K5 transmits and/or captures the oscillation of a high frequency vibration back into the suspension before it has a chance to reach the bike and rider. This is sort of like placing your hand or finger on a vibrating guitar string – the vibration is stopped and withheld even when the string is struck over and over.

 

Are there any guarantees? Yes – for all unmodified factory Japanese suspensions, and nearly all re-valved suspensions, we do offer a full money-back guarantee. We will even offer up the necessary replacement fluid and if we did the service for you, we will make all necessary corrections and cover the cost of shipping. However, if you are running modified pistons, please make us aware of this at the time of your order.

 

Need more info? – Contact us at 408-406-2089 or at info@smartperformanceinc.com.

 

* - There is no such thing as a residual free non-toxic solvent. Seldom are “residual-free” solvents residual free, and seldom is any fully evaporating solvent non-toxic. Use caution or follow our solvent guidelines when choosing and using cleaning agents.