Master’s in Racing Suspension Preparation Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in racing suspension preparation engineering, with 12 modules covering racing suspension, the suspension workshop, fork and shock overhaul, revalving, springs and preload, suspension dynamometer testing, trackside set-up, different disciplines, reliability and maintenance, and the technical service business, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Dismantle, inspect and reassemble racing forks and shock absorbers.
Modify damping by revalving shim stacks.
Select springs and preload according to rider and use.
Characterise suspension on a dynamometer.
Set up suspension at the track from rider feedback and telemetry.
Run a suspension workshop with quality and traceability.
Develop the complete suspension preparation for a racing motorcycle.
Who it's for
- Racing suspension technicians.
- Team suspension engineers.
- Suspension tuners.
- Track engineers.
- Suspension workshop managers.
- Technical advisers to riders.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join motorcycle racing teams.
What you'll work with
- FIM Grand Prix Regulations (MotoGP sporting and technical rules)
- FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championship Regulations (production-based racing rules)
- FIM Motocross Technical Rules (motocross technical requirements)
- ISO 9130 (motorcycle steering geometry vocabulary)
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary)
- ISO 6743-99 (lubricant classification)
- ISO 4406 (hydraulic fluid cleanliness)
- ISO 1219-1 (fluid power graphical symbols)
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- Shim ReStackor
- MATLAB
- AiM Race Studio
- SolidWorks
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Racing versus production components1.2Cartridge kits1.3Racing shock absorbers1.4Manufacturers and ranges1.5Technical regulations for suspension1.6Suspension in road racing and off-road1.7Maintenance cost1.8Role of the suspension technician1.9Relationship with the rider1.10Case study: suspension inventory of a team
2.1Suspension-specific tools2.2Presses and jigs2.3Workbench and cleaning2.4Hydraulic fluids and their viscosity2.5Oil cleanliness to ISO 44062.6Spare parts and consumables2.7Safety with nitrogen gas2.8Component traceability2.9Workshop organisation2.10Practical: organising a suspension workshop
3.1Dismantling an upside-down fork3.2Inspection of tubes and sliders3.3Bushings and seals3.4Cartridges and damper rods3.5Wear measurement3.6Oil replacement3.7Air bleeding3.8Oil level and air gap3.9Assembly and tightening torques3.10Lab: complete overhaul of a fork
4.1Dismantling the shock absorber4.2Shaft and piston4.3Reservoir and separator4.4Nitrogen charging4.5Bushings and spherical bearings4.6Oil change4.7Vacuum bleeding4.8Ride height and length4.9Assembly and verification4.10Practical: overhaul of a rear shock absorber
5.1Shim stacks5.2Compression configuration5.3Rebound configuration5.4Mid-valves5.5Stack preload5.6Shim stack simulation5.7Effect on the force–velocity curve5.8Common mistakes and how to avoid them5.9Documenting configurations5.10Workshop: revalving a cartridge
6.1Spring rate6.2Progressive and linear springs6.3Selection by rider weight6.4Preload and sag6.5Titanium springs6.6Bump-stop springs6.7Fork air chamber6.8Spring measurement6.9Spring fatigue6.10Practical: spring selection by rider
7.1How the dynamometer works7.2Velocity tests7.3Force versus velocity curves7.4Hysteresis and cavitation7.5Temperature during testing7.6Comparison of configurations7.7Curve databases7.8Measurement repeatability7.9Equipment maintenance7.10Lab: before-and-after characterisation
8.1Sag measurement8.2Reading the behaviour8.3Rider feedback8.4Suspension telemetry8.5Velocity histograms8.6Corner-specific adjustments8.7Weather-related adjustments8.8Change protocol8.9Set-up log8.10Case study: set-up session
9.1Circuit road racing9.2Motocross and jumps9.3Enduro and varied terrain9.4Supermoto suspension9.5Rally-raid suspension9.6Suspension for endurance racing9.7Suspension on classic motorcycles9.8Electric racing motorcycles9.9Motorcycles for young riders9.10Practical: comparison of set-ups across disciplines
10.1Maintenance intervals10.2Oil degradation10.3Seal wear10.4Failures during the race10.5Trackside maintenance10.6Emergency kits10.7Failure analysis10.8Hours-of-use logs10.9Service planning10.10Workshop: season maintenance plan
11.1Service for privateer riders11.2Quotes and lead times11.3Relationship with manufacturers11.4Product warranties and claims11.5Technician training11.6Customer communication11.7Service quality11.8Technical marketing for the workshop11.9Workshop profitability11.10Case study: business plan for a suspension workshop
12.1Definition of the motorcycle and rider12.2Initial suspension diagnosis12.3Component overhaul12.4Proposed revalving and justification12.5Spring selection12.6Dynamometer characterisation12.7Track validation12.8Final documentation of the work12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MoTeC i2 Pro, Shim ReStackor, MATLAB, AiM Race Studio and SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied through real procedures: complete overhaul and revalving of a cartridge fork, dynamometer characterisation before and after a modification, and trackside suspension set-up with a rider. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIM Grand Prix Regulations, FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championship Regulations, FIM Motocross Technical Rules, ISO 9130, ISO 8855, ISO 6743-99, ISO 4406, ISO 1219-1.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MoTeC i2 Pro, Shim ReStackor, MATLAB, AiM Race Studio and SolidWorks, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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