The Wilbers LDC in detail

• The Wilbers LDC shock absorber is a fully automatic hydropneumatic leveling system which is self-activated based on the well-known technology of the ZF Nivomat system.
• The rider does not have to manually adjust anything in this system.
• The main advantage of the Wilbers LDC is its unique combination of the self-leveling function and the progressive action of the gas-spring and damping.
• The leveling, the adjustment of the damping and the gas-spring are all housed in one unit. Activation and control of the unit happens mechanically and hydraulically.
• The Wilbers LDC is activated and ready to go from the start.

This video shows how the shock automatically pumps itself back up to adjust for the weight of the passenger. The captions are in German, but you can clearly see how it works.

The principle

1. The bike will sag to a pre-defined level after the rider is seated.
2. The bike will sag more than the pre-defined level after extra weight (Passenger/ Luggage) is added.
3. After driving a distance of approx. 300 meters/ 1000 ft the bike raises back up to the pre-defined level.

How it works

1. The LDC Nivomat system is pre-set in a way that it reaches the pre-defined position for solo use immediately. This is approx. 1/3 of the total shock travel. In this condition the system operates on a reduced spring rate and damping compared to a conventional shock absorber and as such provides maximum comfort for solo riders without the rebound bounce.
2. Adding a passenger and/or luggage causes the bike to sag and to negatively affect the vehicle geometry. In this case it would normally be necessary to preload the spring on a “standard” shock absorber, but this only adjusts the overall level. The necessary adjustment of the spring rate and damping does not take place.
3. After driving a distance of approx. 300m/1000 ft with the rider, passenger and/or luggage, the LDC shock raises the vehicle back to the pre-defined level. The inner pump rod has pumped oil from the low-pressure to the high-pressure chamber. Due to the increased high pressure, the vehicle is lifted to the pre-defined level. At the same time the gas spring rate has been adjusted to the load as well

The adjusted level position, vehicle geometry, spring rate and damping are all kept constant during the entire ride, ensuring maximum comfort and driving safety.

This is a longer video that shows the installation process and a test ride and review of the LDC shocks by Matt Laidlaw of HD Laidlaw in California. Scroll down to see a 1 hour video of unboxing and installation of the LDC shocks at Arsenal Harley Davidson.

What is the LDC Nivomat?

The LDC shock absorber consists of two separate oil chambers, one large diameter piston rod, a mechanical pump with a pressure valve and a short external suspension spring.

With the oil chambers, a distinction is made between external low-pressure and internal gas-assisted high pressure chamber. When weight is put on the shock, the rod automatically pumps the oil from the low- into the high-pressure chamber. At the same time the piston rod is pushed out of the damper. This pumping process takes only as long as it takes to balance the bike. The shock absorber settles to the correct level after driving about 300 m/1000 ft.

The low-pressure-chamber is located on the outside, the high-pressure-chamber on the inside. When extra load is applied to the bike, the rod pumps oil from the middle of the low-pressure-chamber to the high-pressure-chamber – the shaft rebounds and the spring rate increases progressively.

With the LDC Nivomat Twin Shock system, the system functions are divided into two individual components. The Ecoline shock absorber is equipped with a spiral steel spring and takes over part of the overall damping. The Nivomat provides the level control and adjusts the spring rate and the additional, variable damping required depending on the load. The rider doesn’t need to manually adjust anything.

This is why the two shocks look different in the twin shock set up. But if you have a bagger, then no one can see that they are different. And if you don’t have a bagger, then it can be an interesting topic of discussion with your riding buddies. There is also a single shock option for some mono-shock bikes.

Wilbers LDC Nivomat Powered by ZF Ordering Information

LDC Nivomat Mono Shock Motorcycle Suspension

After intensive testing we are able to tell you that the LDC Nivomat can be used individually or in the combination of LDC Nivomat with ZERO friction fork springs and ZERO friction fork oil. The vehicle weight and luggage weight is not required with the order as the LDC system automatically compensates for any weight fluctuation.

1. LDC Nivomat Monoshock – $1,422.00
2. LDC Nivomat Mono Kit including 1 set of ZERO friction fork springs and 1 liter ZERO friction fork oil – $1,622.00
3. LDC Nivomat Mono Kit including type 630 road front shock – $2,233.00

Available for many touring and sport touring motorcycles. Check our online store for availability.

LDC Nivomat Twin Shock

The Twin Shock Kit is a LDC Nivomat system combined with a Wilbers Ecoline shock absorber. The shock absorber comes in the color Nightline and of course the necessary ZERO Friction fork springs and ZERO friction fork oil are part of the kit. When ordering, the LDC system automatically compensates for any weight fluctuation.

LDC Nivomat Twin Shock Kit – including 1 set of ZERO friction fork springs
and 2 liters ZERO friction fork oil* $ 2,338.00
– with 1 spring, 2 liters ZERO friction fork oil* $2,233.00
*depending on the vehicle model

Detailed Unboxing and Installation Video

Above is a detailed video from Arsenal Harley Davidson in Waterford, Michigan. At 1 hour and 10 minutes long, it covers the whole installation process in detail with excellent commentary by the Service Manager, and bike owner, Dale Archambault at the end.

LDC Nivomat for Big Enduros

It was only a matter of time until rally racers like Marc Collins or Valentin Müller (Valle on Tour) asked us to develop an authentic rally-spec suspension. We are still in development, but the professionals are already enthusiastic. The highly durable LDC system at the rear with a WESA shock absorber in the front keep the bike level at all times. Large, demanding tours through the desert, or around the globe, are no longer a technical challenge with our solutions.

In these cases the maximum spring travel is proven to absorb all of the terrain, meanwhile protecting the hydraulic parts.

In order to ensure maximum spring travel and keep the design of the system streamlined, we have housed the low-pressure chamber in an external container.

The LDC Nivomat for big Enduro’s is the current highlight of our developments, namely “Wilbers Powered by ZF”!