10-23-2016, 05:21 AM
(10-23-2016, 03:42 AM)CB4ME_imp Wrote: 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.