Rossi's Wings Clipped ***Spoiler Alert***

[Ulvetanna_imp]

The winglets were absent from Rossi's bike during the race this weekend.

He started 15th on the grid and finished on the podium, passing over a dozen other riders.

He reportedly never liked the wings; Marquez' bike also had only vestigial version.

Dovizioso's bike had a full array of aero devices, looking like a biplane from the front. The two Suzukis were not able to outrun him in the straights, but nonetheless swarmed the Ducati and because of better agility and cornering speed were able to get by him. They also ran the very small winglets.

Crutchlow had the same nearly non-winglets as Marquez.

[CB4ME_imp]

Winglets will be a moot point next year. But I'm reading the R&D money will be redirected to fairing development in a very big way.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Winglets will be a moot point next year. But I'm reading the R&D money will be redirected to fairing development in a very big way.

The way to know if that actually happens is to see if top speeds increase substantially, by at least 3-5 mph. That would indicate a reduction in drag. At 200+ mph speeds, 80 percent of available power is expended fighting wind resistance. A reduction of Cd of 0.05 would be a lot. Problem is there isn't much that can be done with a road racing motorcycle. So much of it is exposed and the rider is clambering all over it.

You might like [url=http://www.cycleworld.com/might-go-faster-backwards-kevin-cameron-top-dead-center]this by Kevin Cameron. I might be imagining it but his graphic appears less curmudgeonly. BTW his math is correct. I took the liberty of checking it.
Here is how much more power would be available for acceleration if the Cd went from 0.519 (the hypothetical in KC's example) to 0.469, a reduction of 0.05.

Gtech Aero Drag Calculator Results

Drag Coefficient (Cd) : .519

Frontal area : 5 sq. ft.

Speed : 215 mph

Calculated HP loss due to aero drag is: 171.9 horsepower.

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Gtech Aero Drag Calculator Results

Drag Coefficient (Cd) : .469

Frontal area : 5 sq. ft.

Speed : 215 mph

Calculated HP loss due to aero drag is: 155.4 horsepower.

That ain't gonna happen. A realistic savings would be 1-2 HP, a reduction of the Cd by 0.005.

A few years ago there was a pretty interesting article about Scott Redding trying to get streamlined in a wind tunnel when he was racing Moto2. I believe it was in the 2013 MCN annual MotoGP edition.