motorcycle aerodynamics.

[WD Forte]

Got home stinking of exhaust (again) and had one of me thinks.
Bikes just aint aerodynamic and mine is very un-aerodynamic.

I could dump the top box,fit a full fairing and clip ons
and lay over the tank but it would be uncomfortable and impractical
so sod that.
Did some googling.

This was an interesting read and got me digging out the sellotape and cow gum
and cutting up pizza boxes and old washing up liquid bottles to make strakes,
turbulators winglets and pressure ducts.
that and a bottle of that laminar airflow should improve it

https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/05/04/motorcycle-aerodynamics/


anyone got any cunning wheezes for sit up and beg touring things?
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bikers smell of wee

[Bhud]

You're talking about your CX500, right? If I was to fairing up that bike, I would fit a factory fairing from a completely different bike (e.g. FJ1200) to it. Any factory fairing at all, really. A factory fairing or an engineered fairing (e.g. Powerbronze) would be the way to go. It's an old-school approach and it works. It would be completely different (and more effective) than a random headlight screen. For example XJ600S/XJ900S fairings are as ugly as hell but they really work: they keep all the elements and wind off you as long as you keep above 40mph, and you can keep the revs down and relax and feel as comfortable when you get to your destination as if you'd gone there by car.

I've made a fairing before, from scratch, from my own "beliefs" about aerodynamic principles. I could describe every step of it and maybe find a picture or two if you insist. That would be funny (MDF, slits, old linen sheets, PVA-and-water solution were involved). That fairing I made was a failure. When bike manufacturers design and engineer these things they have software simulations and wind tunnels.

[Sister Sledge]

Do what we'd do and tuck yourself in behind a double decker bus. It was a much easier way to travel between villages on our 50s and quite warm too.
If you're touring then look for one of those mega coaches taking folk to British touristy spots.
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CCM 404 DS

[doggone]

Apparently additional weight negates any advantage until you are going over about 50mph.
While most journeys exceed that for a while, a lot of times the average will be lower.

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

You need a carbon fibre dustbin, but preferably not attached to the forks!

https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MV-Agusta-Ballistic-Trident-5-1024x545.jpg

https://www.mcnews.com.au/mv-agusta-ballistic-trident-special/

[Nobby the Bastard]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Could go for the Enfield Dreamliner look

https://images.cdn.circlesix.co/image/1/700/0/uploads/posts/2018/01/05f9d01a604907b0f818db69703a8247.jpg
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Polarbear]

The Hayabusa is meant to be very aerodynamic but a what speed. I suspect it's a very illegal 3 figures before it starts to have any effect,
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[BusterGonads]

I kind of think being battered by elements is the essence of biking. I expect that most of us have a car as well as bikes. If it's pissing down, I use the car. The times I get caught out fifty miles from home in bad weather, I pull a sailing suit out of my rear light / underseat pod and put it on.
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2016 Triumph Street Twin; 2000 Honda CG125; 1997 Honda Nighthawk CB250

[doggone]

Most normal riders do this.~
https://robbreportedit.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/high-res-rolfree_w-mountains2.jpg

[Easy-X]

Very interesting article. About the only thing it didn't reference was rain!

I noticed turbulence a lot on the ebikes. Over 25mph it's quite a dramatic effect on something with absolutely zero aerodynamics whereas for motorbikes it's just mildly annoying >50mph for me.

I think the article is right though: set your priority on comfort rather that speed or efficiency.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[chickenstrip]

I used to get a proper head-battering on the Fazer, but by sheer luck, managed to decide on a lid that completely got rid of it. If I had a fuel tank big enough, and a bank balance to match, I could go flat out on it all day now, sat happily upright.
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[stinkwheel]

They used to put full, aluminium fairings on 50cc road racers. That should tell you a lot about how important aerodynamics are.

Like Easy-X it is a thing that constantly bugs me about electric bikes in that of all motorcycles, they should be fitted with a super slippy fairing and front mudguard to increase speed and range.

Your topbox probably isn't as important as you think. It's non-laminar frontal area that's the killer, the topbox will be mostly in the void behind the rider... It might even improve aerodynamics slightly.

The front wheel/forks/callipers is a big issue too. The Hayabusa mudguard is probably one of the slippiest on the market.

For a CX500, I'd want an old Rickman or Vetter style fairing. There's a French company that make fibreglass replicas.

A "Tête de fourche" is a nose fairing, a "Carénage" is a full fairing and a "Bulle" is a screen.

www.poly26.com
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Pete.]

From the article:

[MCN]

[Pete.]

The trailing airflow is VERY important. From my landspeed days I recall that 6 degrees is considered the magic number for getting the airflow off a streamliner smoothly which is why they have such a long trailing section.

One guy came up to me after most of a frustrating day getting 198, 199, 197mph on his 'busa. He said "what can I do to get that last 2mph, I've never been so close. I told him "lift your arse off the seat 2 inches and you'll piss it". Next run he did, and managed to finally break 200mph.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[stinkwheel]

[MCN]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Pretty sure the smooth rounded sides of my top box adds another 10mph when I lean over the tank.

https://www.eventsphotos.co.uk/v/p/PFekSnsCQRcTaLfdmTwb8d2m-11-30-11-45-dsc4084-1566886802.jpg
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[WD Forte]

'Bikes is windy, get over it or buy a car ' and all that

Its stinking of exhaust fumes that bugs me most.
All the turbulence is obviously sucking back exhaust fumes
and was wondering if a tail pipe extension/deflector type thing
made from sticky back plastic & old washing up bottles a la Blue Peter
or bean tins now I'm grown man and allowed to play with sharp things would help lessen the stench

I may do some experimending bodgineering on this
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[doggone]

[WD Forte]

I'm assuming its the screen, then me and then the 45L top box
creating the effect
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[Nobby the Bastard]

[MCN]