Race Tech Suspension
Race Tech Suspension designs, manufactures, and services high-performance suspension components and precision engine services for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles, selling direct and through a global Race Tech Centers dealer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersCorona, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Race Tech Suspension does
Race Tech Suspension is a privately held manufacturer of high-performance suspension components and precision engine services for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles, founded in 1984 by Paul Thede and headquartered in Corona, California. The company's core technology centers on proprietary Gold Valve damping kits — customizable valving systems with over 900 variations — combined with a Digital Valving Search (DVS) computer system that calculates personalized setups from over 300,000 possible combinations. Product offerings span revalving kits, complete replacement shocks (G3-S), forks (G6), cartridge kits (G2-R), high-performance springs, TNK fork tubes, specialized tools, and lubricants. A parallel engine services division provides top-end rebuilds, blueprinting, and dyno testing, supported by staff with 65+ combined years of championship-winning engine development experience.
Race Tech monetizes through custom-built-to-order hardware sales, professional suspension and engine services performed at its Corona facility, paid educational seminars ($400–$800 tuition), and a published reference book (Motorcycle Suspension Bible). Distribution occurs via direct-to-consumer shipping, an authorized global Race Tech Centers dealer network for local installation, and an e-commerce storefront with online configuration tools (Product Search, Spring Rate Search, DVS, TNK Fork Tube Search). Customer segments span motocross/dirt bike riders (primary), street motorcycle riders (primary), ATV/UTV owners, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, snowmobile riders, professional suspension tuners, and engine builders. Premium pricing reaches $2,999–$3,299 per custom fork set, with customized products being non-returnable and prepayment required, indicating a specification-driven, high-touch sales motion rather than off-the-shelf retail.
The company emphasizes content-driven authority marketing through its published Motorcycle Suspension Bible, an in-house seminar curriculum, technical support infrastructure, and a rider sponsorship program that lends credibility via professional racing results (AMA Supercross/Motocross, Vance & Hines XR1200 series, WERA Endurance Championship). Founded as a bootstrapped, founder-owned entity with no disclosed external funding, acquisitions, or public-market activity, Race Tech has operated continuously for over 36 years under Paul Thede's ownership and leadership.
Race Tech Suspension firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Race Tech Suspension
- Legal name
- Race Tech Inc
- Website
- https://racetech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Race Tech Suspension designs, manufactures, and services high-performance suspension components and precision engine services for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles, selling direct and through a global Race Tech Centers dealer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Race Tech Suspension industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Motorcycle Suspension Components
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Powersports Chassis, Suspension, Steering & Braking Systems Manufacturing (IMACAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension) (IMACAIAA)
Keywords
Where Race Tech Suspension is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Corona
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Race Tech Suspension business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Suspension Products: Sale of custom suspension components including Gold Valves, G3-S Custom Shocks, G2-R Cartridge Kits, G6 Custom Forks, Hi-Performance Springs, and TNK Fork Tubes. Products are custom-built to order for individual applications.
- Suspension Service: Rebuilding and revalving services for stock and aftermarket suspension components. Customers ship components to Race Tech for service.
- Engine Services: Precision engine services including top-end rebuilds, blueprinting, and optimization using flow bench, dyno, and track testing.
- Suspension Seminars: Educational seminars covering suspension theory, shop skills, shock dyno, advanced applications, and engine building. Tuition ranges from $400-$800.
- Suspension Tools: Wide range of tools for suspension installation, service, and maintenance including fork tools, shock tools, and shop tools.
- Lubricants: Ultra Slick Suspension Fluid and other lubricants for suspension systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | G6 Custom Forks - Standard Chrome Tube |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | G6 Custom Forks - Premium Inner Tubes |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Suspension Theory Class |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Shop Skills Class |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Shock Dyno Class |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Advanced Suspension Class |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Engines Seminar |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Custom Powder Coating (single) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Custom Powder Coating (pair) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Non-Standard Custom Colors |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cleaning/Stripping Fees |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Race Tech Suspension product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Race Tech designs, manufactures, and installs high-performance suspension components for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. Core offerings are built-to-order Gold Valves, Hi-Performance Springs, G3-S Custom Shocks, G6 Custom Forks, G2-R Cartridge Kits, and TNK Fork Tubes, supported by professional suspension rebuilding, precision engine services, suspension tools, lubricants, and paid educational seminars.
Product overview
Race Tech Suspension offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance suspension solutions and engine services for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. The core product line centers on Gold Valves (custom valving kits), RT Hi-Performance Springs, G3-S Custom Shocks, G6 Custom Forks, G2-R Cartridge Kits, and TNK Fork Tubes. These components work together as an integrated suspension upgrade system: Gold Valves and Cartridge Emulators replace stock damping components, Hi-Performance Springs provide proper rate support, and the G3-S/G6/G2-R products offer complete replacement solutions for both shocks and forks. The company complements its product portfolio with professional suspension and engine services, a global network of Race Tech Centers, specialized tools, lubricants, and educational seminars. The Digital Valving Search system enables personalized setup calculations for individual riders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gold Valves: Custom valving kits designed to surpass limitations of stock damping designs, including Fork Gold Valves and Shock Gold Valves
- Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators
- G3-S Custom Shocks
- G2-R Cartridge Kits
- G6 Custom Forks
- TNK Fork Tubes
- Digital Valving Search (DVS)
- Race Tech's Motorcycle Suspension Bible
Products and services
- Gold Valves Custom valving kits for forks and shocks designed to replace stock damping components, reducing harshness and improving bottoming resistance, traction, and control for individual rider applications.
- Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators Emulators that retrofit damping rod forks to deliver cartridge-style damping curves with adjustable compression damping for motorcycle and off-road applications.
- RT Hi-Performance Springs Fork and shock springs available in over 600 designs with precise rates, heat-treated and shot-peened construction, targeted at riders needing correct spring rates to match weight and application.
- G3-S Custom Shocks Custom-built-to-order replacement shocks for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and specialty vehicles, integrating Gold Valves and Hi-Performance Springs valved to individual rider specifications.
- G6 Custom Forks Built-to-order custom fork legs for street and road race motorcycles featuring compression and rebound Gold Valves, lightweight springs, and aircraft-grade billet aluminum construction.
- G2-R Cartridge Kits 25mm cartridge kits that replace stock fork dampers with high-performance valved cartridges, custom built to application and rider specifications, including mid-valve and top-out spring technologies.
- TNK Fork Tubes OEM-quality fork tube replacements offered in multiple colors with titanium-nitride coating on colored variants, sold as a less expensive alternative to original equipment.
- Suspension Services Professional suspension revalving, rebuilding, and installation services for stock and aftermarket suspension components, performed by Race Tech technicians on customer-shipped parts.
- Engine Services Precision engine services and engine parts that optimize flow and velocity using flow bench, dyno, and track testing, targeted at engine builders seeking championship-validated development support.
- Suspension Tools Specialized tools for suspension installation, service, and maintenance, including fork tools, shock tools, shop tools, dyno mounts, and engine tools sold to professional tuners and DIY riders.
- Lubricants Ultra Slick Suspension Fluid and related lubricants sold for use in motorcycle and powersports suspension maintenance and performance tuning.
- Suspension Seminars Paid multi-day educational seminars covering suspension theory, shop skills, shock dyno operation, advanced suspension applications, and engine building, taught by Paul Thede and Race Tech instructors for mechanics, tuners, and enthusiasts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Bottoming resistance increased while harshness decreased - proven in testing
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Race Tech Suspension
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Race Tech Suspension technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Race Tech Suspension partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Race Tech Suspension competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Works Performance Products: Works Performance is a US aftermarket motorcycle suspension and shock manufacturer. It competes with Race Tech in street and cruiser motorcycle suspension, with a smaller catalog focused primarily on shock absorbers and related components.
Direct peers
- Fox Racing Shox: Fox is the leading aftermarket and OEM motorsports suspension manufacturer for motorcycles, mountain bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. It directly competes with Race Tech in the motorcycle and powersports suspension aftermarket with broader scale and OEM relationships.
- Öhlins Racing: Öhlins is a premium Swedish manufacturer of motorcycle, automotive, and motorsport suspension. It competes directly with Race Tech in the high-end motorcycle suspension aftermarket and is featured as a competitor on Race Tech's own website.
- Penske Racing Shocks: Penske Racing Shocks designs and manufactures high-end suspension for motorcycle, automotive, and powersports racing applications. It competes with Race Tech in the professional and amateur racing suspension segment with premium custom-built products.
- Progressive Suspension: Progressive Suspension is a US aftermarket motorcycle suspension specialist producing shocks, fork springs, and lowering kits. It competes with Race Tech in cruiser, touring, and street motorcycle suspension markets with strong distribution in the V-twin segment.
- Marzocchi: Marzocchi is an Italian motorcycle and mountain bike suspension manufacturer with deep motorsports heritage. It competes with Race Tech in motorcycle fork and shock aftermarket, particularly in motocross and off-road segments.
- WP Suspension (KTM Group): WP is the premium powersports suspension brand within the KTM/Pierer Mobility group, serving motocross, enduro, and street motorcycle segments. It competes directly with Race Tech in aftermarket and racing-focused suspension for motorcycles and powersports.
- Elka Suspension: Elka is a Canadian manufacturer of aftermarket shocks and suspension for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. It is a direct competitor to Race Tech in the same powersports aftermarket categories with similar custom-build positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Showa: Showa is a Japanese OEM suspension supplier for major motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki). Its aftermarket offerings overlap with Race Tech's motorcycle suspension products, particularly in OEM-replacement and upgrade categories.
- KYB: KYB is a major Japanese OEM and aftermarket suspension manufacturer supplying motorcycles and powersports vehicles globally. It competes with Race Tech across both OEM channels and aftermarket replacement products, with substantially greater scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Race Tech Suspension social profiles
Digital presenceRace Tech Suspension financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Race Tech Suspension leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Race Tech Suspension funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Race Tech Suspension M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Race Tech Suspension
What does Race Tech Suspension do?
Race Tech designs, manufactures, and installs high-performance suspension components for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. Core offerings are built-to-order Gold Valves, Hi-Performance Springs, G3-S Custom Shocks, G6 Custom Forks, G2-R Cartridge Kits, and TNK Fork Tubes, supported by professional suspension rebuilding, precision engine services, suspension tools, lubricants, and paid educational seminars.
Is Race Tech Suspension a public or private company?
Race Tech Suspension is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Race Tech Suspension founded?
Race Tech Suspension was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Race Tech Suspension based?
Race Tech Suspension is headquartered in Corona, United States, in the North America region.
How does Race Tech Suspension make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Custom Suspension Products are the primary driver. The others are suspension Service, engine Services, suspension Seminars, suspension Tools and lubricants.
Who are Race Tech Suspension's main competitors?
Works Performance Products is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Fox Racing Shox, Öhlins Racing, Penske Racing Shocks, Progressive Suspension, Marzocchi, WP Suspension (KTM Group) and Elka Suspension. Broad incumbents are Showa and KYB.
Does Race Tech Suspension have an API?
No public API is recorded for Race Tech Suspension.
What industry is Race Tech Suspension in?
Race Tech Suspension's product category is Motorcycle Suspension Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAEAK, Powersports Chassis, Suspension, Steering & Braking Systems Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMACAIAA, Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension). Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.