Stiction

Short for “Static Friction.” More generally, this refers to the friction which tends to prevent stationary surfaces from being set in motion. Two solid objects pressing against each other (but not sliding) will require some threshold of force parallel to the surface of contact in order to overcome static cohesion. Stiction is a threshold, not a continuous force.

More specifically to motorcycles, stiction refers to suspension resistance to initiating motion.

Stated another way, before a fork will begin to expand or compress, the existing stiction needs to be overcome.

For example, stiction is a fork’s resistance to up/down movement. Greater stiction results in a greater inability of the fork to react to small inputs. In other words, the greater the amount of stiction, the slower a fork will react to surface irregularities.

Reducing fork stiction creates a more fluid sliding action.