Camera instead of mirrors?

[sendler]

Any guesses on how much improvement in drag and mpg I could expect from changing my motorcycle mirrors to a camera? Or should I just airfoil the stalks and call it good or forget the whole thing?

[jkv357]

A camera would be neat.

Here's a link to a company advertising rear view cameras for the Ninja 250 - Motorcycle Video Camera for Motorcycle Safety | Motorbike Camera | Motorcycle Camera Mount | Watch your Six!

I'm sure those mirrors work well, but they are really sticking out there.


Jay

[sendler]

My mirrors do offer perfect functionality as they are, whether upright or tucked, unlike many other sport bikes where you see only your elbow. Or adventure bikes with the mirrors on the bars which can't be seen from a tuck. I am not real anxious to get rid of them other than I'm sure I could gain some mpg in competition. The system by Watch Your Six is interesting but it looks like they recommend a black windscreen to cut glare and their system needs a better auto exposure filter at night. Totally washed out by headlights and street lights.

[bikin' Ed]

I like the idea! But how many miles will you have to ride to break even with $250-$350 worth of gas?

[Cd]

Great idea !
Unlike handlebar mounted mirrors, the camera mirrors will remain stationary. ( I notice yours are mounted on your front fairing, but I still think its s cool idea.)

[low&slow]

I've replaced my stock mirrors with smaller versions and have rounded the frontal aspect to reduce drag. I've used small stick-on mirrors, Craig and Alan use small inspection mirrors. It probably does not make a large difference but every little bit helps. The camera system would be expensive and hard to get a good ROI. YMMV

[low&slow]

Also, Vehicle laws have not caught up with technology, you would still need at least a left side mirror to be street legal.

[NeilBlanchard]

I think that on a motorcycle there are more important aero solutions than the mirrors. What is the Cd of a typical motorcycle?

[sendler]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I think that on a motorcycle there are more important aero solutions than the mirrors. What is the Cd of a typical motorcycle?

Small sport bike (tuck) motorcycle with rider has a Cd of around .50-.60 and CdA 3.0 - 3.5 ft^2. Changing something like the mirrors and adding a boat tail trunk on the passenger seat is easily doable. Every little thing helps. Modding to a full stream liner is way beyond my plans for this brand new bike. See one of the few published articles I have been able to find on a motorcycle wind tunnel comparison.
.
Sport Rider-Testing Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki ZX-12R aerodynamics in the wind tunnel
.
.
.
.

[redyaris]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I think that on a motorcycle there are more important aero solutions than the mirrors. What is the Cd of a typical motorcycle?

According to Hucho motorcycle Cd range from 0.51 to 0.77
According to Bradley motorcycle Cd range from 0.65 to 0.9