Corteco, the unit of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) that specializes in the Aftermarket, is positioning itself in the United States as a source of high-quality spare parts for motorcycles. More and more U.S. garages and repair shops for the two-wheelers are obtaining spare parts from the company that are original equipment quality.
Until now, Corteco, the FST division specializing in the Aftermarket, has mainly supplied wholesalers and retailers with Freudenberg spare parts for the automotive market. But now Corteco is invading the motorcycle scene – especially in North America.
In his free time, Product Manager Allen Jones likes to prove himself on his motorcycle on motocross tracks, where rider and machine face extreme challenges. Jumps, tight curves, quick accelerations, hard braking, all on unpaved terrain. Being a team member in a 24-hour race is high on his personal wish list. Jones also has a professional connection to his grand passion: He sells the Corteco products that motorcycles need. One example is the fork seal that has to withstand enormous stresses in motocross. So it’s no accident that the Corteco logo adorns Jones’ helmet.
FST is well-positioned to supply the motorcycle market with its own, high-quality spare parts in original equipment quality. The same applies to filter systems and vibration-control products. “With the quality of our products, we are clearly setting ourselves apart from the competition in the Aftermarket,” Jones said. “Our customers can rely on the fact that a Corteco part used in repairs or maintenance offers the same quality as the original. That is clearly added value for our customers.” A key consideration is the price of the seal. It is quite modest compared to the more costly motorcycle components that they protect. In the final analysis, they can help to prevent fairly severe damage and even accidents.
Spare Parts in Freudenberg Quality
The quality of Freudenberg seals is clear from the fact that they are used by all the well-known and leading Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. With Corteco, these products are no longer available solely to major vehicle manufacturers. They can be obtained from the Independent Aftermarket – that is, the wholesale trade – and from unaffiliated service and repair shops. “Remanufacturers and tuners, in particular, are extremely popular in the United States,” said Matt Buck, Corteco’s Commercial Director, North America. “So we are mainly concentrating on the smaller service shops at this time. That is exactly where motorcycle owners go when they want their bike’s suspension expertly tuned.” Since seals always have to be replaced at that point, Corteco sees the shops as an ideal sales market due to the quality of its spare parts. Corteco wants to reach more small, independent motorcycle shops via wholesalers soon.
While there are entire regions of the world where motor scooters and motorcycles are important as everyday vehicles, that’s not the case in North America. For the most part, motorcycles are purely for recreational use in the region. Their owners don’t have to travel by motorcycle. They want to. So they have a special intimate connection to their machines, and they want to keep them in the best possible running condition. Not least of all because the riders know that good components have a big impact on their vehicle’s driving dynamics. For example, the fork seal keeps the fork clean and ensures its high performance – whether in motocross or on the highway. Dirt inside the suspension would impair its functioning and thus the motorcycle’s steering. For example, contact with the ground could be lost even when there are fairly small irregularities in the terrain, at the expense of maneuverability and safety. Friction-optimized Freudenberg seals make sure that the motorcycle’s front fork functions the way it should, giving the driver a good riding experience.
Image in header: Allen Jones in action during a motocross event. The sport is his great passion.
