What is an air triple clamp? Good question. The Neken SFS (Smooth Feeling System) air triple clamp has tiny air shocks, with oil damping, hidden under the clamp to suspend the handlebar mounts. Ryan Dungey has been running the Neken SFS air triple clamps on his bike since the start of the 2014 Supercross season.

Available for all modern motocross bikes

. Historically there have only been three reasons why racers change their triple clamps. First, to switch to solid or rubber bar mounts. Second, to mount oversized bars. Third, to change the offset. Now there is a fourth reason—to add suspension travel to the handlebars for more comfort in the chop.

(2) System. The Neken SFS air triple clamps are totally unique. At first glance the Neken top clamp looks conventional. But close examination reveals on Schrader valve on the side of the clamp. A closer look discloses that the steel threaded bar mount bolts have been replaced with miniature aluminum air shocks. The Neken bar mounts have 10mm of adjustable suspension travell.

The air pressure is routed to the twin shocks through the bar mount.

(3) Performance. The biggest surprise with the Neken SFS triple clamps is how absorbent they were. We experimented with different air pressures and for fast riders or Supercross tracks we ran 75 psi, while slower riders or smoother tracks worked best at 65 psi. Amazingly most test riders reported not only less vibration and reduced chatter at the bars, but a more accurate feel in the front end because of the calmed-down steering response. Unlike handlebars that flex or rubber-mounted bar mounts, the SFS clamp combines the bars, clamps and air shocks into one unit. There is no rocking of the handlebars, no wiggling in the whoops and the bars move in unison as opposed to one side moving more than the other. Plus, the movement is adjustable via simple air pressure changes.

(5) Acronym. What does SFS stand for? We originally assumed that it would be some technical name like Statically Fluid Suspension or Secondary Fork System, but instead it was the rather pedestrian “Smooth Feeling System.” In a nice touch, Neken etches torque specs and other important info onto the gold anodized clamp to help the end user.


Ryan Dungey has used the Neken SFS air triple clamps since Anaheim 1. No one ever noticed because they are hidden behind the front number plate.