motorcycle aero mods - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

low&slow · 05-13-2011, 12:01 AM

I finally decided to try some aerodymic modifications on my motorcycle, a 1982 Yamaha Vision ( 550 cc V-twin with shaft drive). I have had a personal best tank of 66mpg and ususally average in the mid to high 50's with just a small handlebar fairing. After a little research and some encouragement from Redyaris I decided to add some saddlebags and a tailsection/Kammback to help reduce the drag off the back of the motorcycle. Today I added some coroplast panels to the sides. I'm going to ride it down to Carmel tomorrow morning to observe the Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge and ride the course. I probably will add a full fender to the front wheel once I figure out how I'm going to do it. Any suggestions are most welcome.
all the best, L&S

Frank Lee · 05-13-2011, 12:09 AM

Wow, I wish I was there!

Can you take lots of pics and be our reporter on what's all there?

Have fun!

low&slow · 05-13-2011, 01:08 AM

Frank, I'll do my best, it should be very cool.
all the best L&S

KamperBob · 05-13-2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low&slow

Have you seen this thread?

NeilBlanchard · 05-13-2011, 09:43 AM

The BMW K1 is the lowest drag production motorcycle I know of, and it might be a good place to look for ideas:

theycallmeebryan · 05-13-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

The BMW K1 is the lowest drag production motorcycle I know of, and it might be a good place to look for ideas:

Thats if he plans on laying on his gas tank all the time. I found out the hard way that my back doesn't like a crouched down position after a while. I've documented a 8-10% improvement while crouched down, but i am able to hit 90mpg+ while sitting up comfortably.

Depends on his intentions i guess.

theycallmeebryan · 05-13-2011, 10:07 AM

Aim for something like this.

euromodder · 05-13-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theycallmeebryan

Aim for something like this.

Closing the gap around the legs would make it een better.

A front hinged panel, a light spring, and some magnets at the rear could make a panel that can be pushed out when you want to stop, but would return to closed position when your feet are on the pegs again.

arcosine · 05-13-2011, 07:34 PM

The movable front wheel fairings can get a bit squirrelly in a side wind gusts, well it did on my bike anyway, scary really.

Varn · 05-14-2011, 11:04 AM

I had a handlebar fairing on my vmax 25 years ago. It went into a speed wobble on a straight road and threw me into a ditch, I can still feel it slapping the steering to one lock and back to the other side.

I would stay away from any fairing that moved with the steering.

Look into a dust bin fairing that closes like Kamper bob points out. It doesn't have to reduce the frontal area to make it better than an unfaired bike.

I would like to get to a streamlined motorcyle event like Craig Vetter is organizing.