Vibe check! D3O's new vibration dampening kit promises to take the unwanted buzz out of biking

Fatigue-inducing vibrations are part and parcel of motorcycling, with shocks small and large being almost constantly transmitted via the footpegs and bars to the rider.

That may be a part of the fun for some, but for others, these high-frequency sensations can spell numbness, tiredness, and a drop in personal performance. The clever people at D3O say they’ve come up with a solution, however.

• Related: Top touring essentials from MCN

The British brand’s iconic orange substance is non-Newtonian, that means it remains malleable and fluid under light force, but stiffens when exposed to big impacts, and that’s what makes it so useful for body armour. But that’s not all it can do… 

D3O say that its proprietary material doesn’t just absorb impact – it also hinders unwanted vibes better than any other commonly used material on the market.

• Related: D3O Ghost armour launched

With that in mind, they’ve created a range of products, the first of which is a line of insoles designed to reduce discomfort and enhance performance by bringing excess shocks to heel. 

Mostyn Thomas, CMO at D3O, said: “For many years, D3O has become established as the market leader in protective products for bikers. While we continue to push the boundaries of impact protection, it’s a natural extension for us to address the effects of vibration.”    

Developed using insights from Formula One teams – where their materials are employed to combat vibration-induced performance issues – D3O claim their new insoles are engineered to evenly distribute impacts across the soles, reduce vibrations reaching the footbed, and provide lasting shock absorption. The result? Improved comfort and performance for motorcyclists. 

• Related: Top motorcycle boots as rated by MCN

Initially debuted in the mountain biking world, these insoles have now been fine-tuned for when there’s an engine in the mix, promising users a noticeable improvement in both their on-bike comfort and off-bike recovery. Three levels of protection are available, with ‘Minimalist’, ‘Standard’, and ‘Loaded’ versions on offer.

Across all three, the main protection is afforded to the midsole area, where the foot meets the peg. The more premium versions feature additional damping material over larger areas.  

In addition to the insoles, D3O are set to expanding their anti-vibration technology to the grips market too. Building on the success of its mountain bike product, D3O will launch a new motorcycle version in 2025. These grips, made from a trademarked compound, are said to offer twice the vibration damping of any other comparable item on the market.

Attempts to tame the shocks transmitted to the rider from the terrain and bike are nothing new, particularly in disciplines such as touring, endurance racing, enduro, and rally, where high frequencies are transmitted over sustained periods.

However, D3O report that lab analysis has shown performance more than four times greater than that of other products tested.