WP Suspension
WP Suspension is an Austrian motorcycle-suspension manufacturer whose components are used in racing, aftermarket products, and original-equipment motorcycles.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
2requests
1companies- Anthropic2
- Profile
- 2
- Controversies
- 0
- JSON · MD
- 0
- First read
- Nov 4, 2026
- Latest read
- Nov 4, 2026
From this site's server log
Overview
WP Suspension GmbH is an Austrian manufacturer specializing in suspension systems and related components for motorcycles. The company traces its origins to 1977, when Dutch motocross rider and trained mechanical engineer Wim Peters established the business in Malden, Netherlands. Peters had suffered a serious racing crash in 1975 and used the extended recovery period to redesign and improve the suspension components on his motocross motorcycle. The resulting parts initially served a personal racing need, but their performance attracted interest from other riders and created demand for a commercial venture. The business originally operated under the name White Power, a reference to the white coil springs fitted to its suspension units. The color was reportedly a practical consequence of sourcing springs from a hospital-bed manufacturer whose available finish was white, rather than a deliberate initial branding strategy. Racing results in the late 1970s and 1980s helped establish the company as a specialist supplier for high-performance motorcycles. Its competition reputation supported a transition from aftermarket parts into original-equipment manufacturing. WP became an original-equipment supplier to KTM in 1983 and subsequently supplied suspension components to other motorcycle manufacturers, including Husaberg and BMW Motorrad. One of its historically important technical developments was the return of the upside-down, or USD, fork to mass production in 1983. Although the configuration had earlier been used by BMW, it had largely disappeared from mainstream motorcycle production after the Second World War. USD forks later became a standard feature on many performance-oriented motorcycles because of their stiffness and handling characteristics. The brand's racing profile grew through motocross successes. In 1984, WP components were fitted to the KTM motorcycle that won the manufacturer's first Motocross World Championship in the 250cc class with Heinz Kinigadner. WP also expanded beyond motorcycles for a period: in 1994, its suspension components were used in the Benetton B194 Formula One car, which carried Michael Schumacher to his first Formula One World Championship title. The company experienced bankruptcy in 1991 and was subsequently re-founded. During this period the brand name changed from White Power to WP Suspension, avoiding the older name's potentially problematic connotations while retaining the established WP identity. KTM Power Sports gradually acquired the company from 1997 onward. Wim Peters remained involved first as managing director and later as a consultant, leaving the business in 2004. Beginning in 2009, production was relocated from the former main facility in Malden to Munderfing, Austria. During the 2010s, the company broadened its manufacturing activities to include motorcycle frames, exhaust systems, and oil and water coolers, and it was briefly known as WP Performance Systems GmbH. Those non-suspension activities were later sold or transferred to other divisions of the parent group. By 2020, WP had returned to a more focused identity centered on the development and manufacture of motorcycle suspension systems. WP is now part of the KTM corporate structure, ultimately controlled by India's Bajaj Auto through KTM AG. Its business spans racing technology, original-equipment supply, and replacement or performance-oriented aftermarket components. The brand remains particularly associated with orange KTM motorcycles, motocross and enduro competition, adjustable shocks, and the distinctive white springs used on many of its products.
History
WP Suspension originated in the Netherlands in the aftermath of a motocross accident involving its founder, Wim Peters. Peters was both a competitive motocross rider and a trained mechanical engineer. After a serious crash in 1975 left him recovering for more than a year, he used the time to experiment with improved suspension components for his own motorcycle. Other racers noticed the performance of the parts, and the resulting demand led Peters to establish a company in Malden in 1977. The early business was known as White Power. Its most recognizable visual feature was the use of white coil springs on its coilover suspension units. The finish was reportedly determined by the capabilities of the supplier, a manufacturer of hospital beds that offered white as its available color. The company's growing success in racing during the late 1970s and 1980s transformed it from a small specialist aftermarket producer into a respected competition and original-equipment supplier. A major commercial turning point came in 1983, when WP became an original-equipment supplier to KTM. It later supplied components to Husaberg and BMW Motorrad. The same year, WP helped return the upside-down fork to mass production. Earlier associated with BMW's R 12, the USD arrangement had largely fallen out of use between 1945 and 1983. Its ability to reduce unsprung mass and provide a stiff upper fork structure made it attractive for high-performance motorcycles, and it subsequently became common on sport, racing, motocross, and enduro machines. WP's competition record reinforced its engineering reputation. In 1984, WP suspension helped KTM achieve its first Motocross World Championship victory in the 250cc class, with Heinz Kinigadner as the rider. The company also entered automotive racing applications. In 1994, WP components were installed in the suspension of the Benetton B194 Formula One car. That car carried Michael Schumacher to his first Formula One drivers' championship, giving WP a notable connection to the highest level of international circuit racing. The company went bankrupt in 1991 and was subsequently re-founded. The White Power name was replaced by WP Suspension, creating a more neutral and technically focused identity while preserving the familiar WP initials. From 1997, KTM Power Sports progressively took over the company. Peters stayed associated with WP during the ownership transition, serving first as managing director and later as a consultant, before leaving in 2004. In 2009, the company's production base shifted to Munderfing, Austria. During the following decade, WP broadened its manufacturing scope beyond suspension to include frames, exhaust systems, and oil and water coolers for motorcycles. The company was briefly identified as WP Performance Systems GmbH during this broader phase. By 2020, however, these additional activities had been sold or redistributed to other parts of the parent organization, and WP once again concentrated on motorcycle suspension development and manufacturing. The brand is now a wholly owned subsidiary within the KTM structure and is ultimately owned by India's Bajaj Auto through KTM AG. Its role combines engineering for KTM-group motorcycles, supply to other original-equipment manufacturers, competition development, and aftermarket performance products. WP's historical identity is therefore based on the interaction of three areas: racing-derived innovation, industrial supply relationships, and a strong visual and technical association with high-performance motorcycles.
- 2020
Business refocuses on suspension
[1]Frames, exhaust systems, and fluid-cooling products were sold or transferred to other group divisions, while WP returned to a suspension-centered portfolio.
- 2009
Production relocated to Austria
[1]WP moved production to Munderfing, Austria, ending suspension production at its former main factory in Malden.
- 2004
Wim Peters leaves WP
[1]Peters departed after remaining involved as managing director and later consultant during the KTM ownership transition.
- 1997
KTM Power Sports begins acquisition
[1]KTM Power Sports began progressively taking over WP.
- 1994
Benetton B194 uses WP suspension
[1]WP suspension components were used in the Benetton B194 Formula One car, associated with Michael Schumacher's first drivers' championship.
- 1991
Bankruptcy and re-founding
[1]WP entered bankruptcy and was subsequently re-founded. The White Power brand name was replaced by WP Suspension.
- 1984
KTM wins its first 250cc Motocross World Championship
[1]WP components supported KTM's first Motocross World Championship victory in the 250cc category, achieved with Heinz Kinigadner.
- 1983
KTM original-equipment relationship begins
[1]WP began supplying suspension components as original equipment to KTM.
- 1983
Upside-down fork returns to mass production
[1]WP reintroduced the upside-down motorcycle fork into mass production, helping establish a configuration later adopted widely on performance motorcycles.
- 1977
Company founded in Malden
[1]Peters founded the suspension business in Malden, Netherlands, in response to interest from fellow racers in his components.
Products and positioning
WP Suspension is positioned as a specialist, performance-led motorcycle suspension brand built around racing-derived engineering, original-equipment integration, and adjustable suspension technology for motocross, enduro, off-road, and road motorcycles.
Suspension
Motorcycle front forks
WP manufactures front-fork systems for motocross, enduro, off-road, street, and performance motorcycles. Its development history includes the return of the upside-down fork to mass production in 1983, a design that became widely used on high-performance motorcycles.
Suspension
Rear shocks and coilover units
Rear shock absorbers and coilover assemblies are a core part of WP's product portfolio. These units support both original-equipment motorcycle programs and aftermarket applications, with the brand historically recognized for its white coil springs.
Off-road motorcycle suspension
Motocross and enduro suspension systems
WP develops suspension hardware for competition and off-road motorcycles, where control, durability, adjustability, and resistance to demanding terrain are central requirements. Racing experience has remained an important part of the brand's engineering identity.
Motorcycle OEM components · 1983
Original-equipment suspension
WP supplies suspension components for motorcycle manufacturers. Its OEM relationships have included KTM, Husaberg, and BMW Motorrad, with KTM becoming the most important relationship following the company's integration into the KTM group.
Motorcycle aftermarket
Aftermarket performance suspension
The aftermarket portfolio consists of replacement and upgraded suspension components for riders seeking improved handling or adjustable performance. These products extend WP's racing and OEM engineering into consumer and enthusiast applications.
Brand decisions
2020
Return to a suspension-focused businessStrategyBackground
During the 2010s, WP had expanded into frames, exhaust systems, and oil and water coolers under the broader WP Performance Systems identity.
Action taken
The non-suspension activities were sold or transferred to other divisions within the parent group.
Aftermath
WP again concentrated on developing and manufacturing motorcycle suspension systems.
2009
Relocate manufacturing to MunderfingStrategyBackground
The company was being integrated more closely with the KTM organization.
Action taken
Production was moved from Malden in the Netherlands to Munderfing, Austria.
Aftermath
Munderfing became the company's principal production base.
1997
KTM Power Sports progressively takes over WPM&ABackground
WP had developed into an important supplier of performance motorcycle suspension, including for KTM.
Action taken
KTM Power Sports began a gradual takeover of the company.
Aftermath
WP became part of the KTM corporate structure and ultimately came under Bajaj Auto ownership through KTM AG.
1991
Replace the White Power name with WP SuspensionStrategyBackground
The company was re-founded after bankruptcy and needed a renewed market identity while retaining the established WP initials.
Action taken
The White Power brand name was replaced by WP Suspension.
Aftermath
The revised name became the basis of the brand's subsequent motorcycle-suspension identity.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/wp-suspension · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled