What is the difference between shock absorbers with and without gas reservoirs?
2 Answers
There is basically no difference. The height of a motorcycle's shock absorber can be adjusted. When carrying heavy loads, you can appropriately raise the shock absorber spring. Below is relevant information: Shock Absorber Replacement: Generally, motorcycle manuals recommend replacing the shock absorber oil every 3,000 to 6,000 kilometers, but in practical use, this is not necessary. For domestic motorcycles, they are usually replaced when oil leakage occurs, along with the shock absorber oil seal. Daily Maintenance: Pay attention to regular cleaning and dust removal for the shock absorbers to minimize the causes of oil leakage. Especially for shock absorbers with structures like the RX125 model, where the working stroke section is mostly exposed and directly contacts dust, it is very necessary to effectively remove dust from the working stroke section with a soft cloth before each ride.
As someone who frequently takes long road trips with my family, I've found that shock absorbers with gas cylinders perform better on rough roads. Simply put, the gas cylinder is a small canister that stores compressed gas to help dissipate heat and reduce the buildup of vibration-induced heat during driving. This means even on continuously bumpy highways, the vehicle's damping won't soften and lose control. In contrast, shock absorbers without gas cylinders are more prone to overheating and softening, making rear passengers uncomfortable. However, those with gas cylinders are usually bulkier and have installation limitations, so you need to be mindful of ground clearance. When I drove my friend's SUV, which had this design, it felt more stable on rainy mountain roads. But for regular city driving, shock absorbers without gas cylinders are sufficient—it really depends on road conditions, so don't blindly upgrade and waste money.
