The Problem
The Tryphonos system was designed to overcome the shortcomings of the telescopic fork, which has become commonplace on high-performance sports motorcycle. The fork suffers many disadvantages over the new Tryphonos system, these include: relatively high weight, poor rigidity, stiction of sliding parts and limited geometry. Under heavy braking the fork flexes unduly and binds resulting in an ineffective suspension system for the front wheel and not allowing full use of the front brake.

As modern motorcycles run ever steeper steering angles the flexing and stiction problems are further aggravated sometimes causing wheel chatter under severe braking also during braking the high leverage loads are fed directly to steering bearings and frame through the long forks. The alternative hub-centre steering system provides improved frame rigidity, reduction in weight, unlimited steering geometry and efficient front suspension that works consistently, regardless of heavy braking and high angles of lean.

The Solution
Michael Tryphonos designed the new system in 1990 as a final year thesis of an engineering degree at London's South Bank University.

By 1993, two prototypes existed the first of which was tested by Jon Doran of Superbike magazine who was more than impressed by the handling over conventional systems. The second prototype based on sports 750cc Suzuki engine was exhibited at London's Motorcycle Road Race show and then test ridden by respected journalist Roland Brown in 1995 generating worldwide interest and excitement in the new technology. That year the motorcycle was sent to the Isle of Man TT races to compete against the world's best production racing machinery. Despite a limited budget an impressive 11th1th position (from field of 86) was achieved in the hands of Sean Harris lapping at average speeds of 117 mph.

Valuable lessons learnt from the grueling TT races led to the development of the 937 TT version which has been extensively track tested by Canadian Superbike star Peter Wilson.

The new machine was ridden by Andy Ibbot of Motorcycle News who could only compare it to Formula One machinery and claiming "Hub-centre steering Tryphonos handles so well it could leave Japanese sports bikes for dead!".

"Hub-centre steering Tryphonos handles so well it could leave Japanese sports bikes for dead!"

Further to this test and subsequent exposure at INTERMOT 98 in Munich (the world's largest ever motorcycle show), the best-selling German periodical Motorrad tested the cycle at Donington circuit. Motorrad was so impressed that they required additional test time for back-to-back comparisons with Ducati's world beating 996 and BMWs alternative Telelever system, at Calafat circuit in Spain. The new Tryphonos 900 was favored by all five test riders.

Markus Barth, the World Superbike rider, test rode all three and lapped a second quicker on the Tryphonos than on the Ducati 996.