03-28-2016, 11:44 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding flying lizard
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Why don't motorcycles have tire deflectors?
We all know that a properly designed and placed tire deflector(spat) can reduce drag on cars, why don't motorcycles use them too? (on rear wheels) I have been looking at aero focused production motorcycles like the BMW K1000 and the Suzuki Hayabusa and have not noticed any sort of tire deflectors. It seems like an easy drag reduction mod to me, is there something i'm missing?
 
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03-29-2016, 01:04 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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By spats you mean enclosing the rear wheel as on a Vincent Black Prince?
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03-29-2016, 11:06 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Rat Racer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daschicken
It seems like an easy drag reduction mod to me, is there something i'm missing?
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You're missing the overall goal, which is styling that makes things look powerful.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog44
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Manual neutral engine off.100% @∞MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
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03-29-2016, 11:31 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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EcoModding flying lizard
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Moore
By spats you mean enclosing the rear wheel as on a Vincent Black Prince?
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No, I mean a air deflector to push air down or to the sides like cars have. I drew a picture of one here.
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-Kaze o tatakaimasen-
Best trip in V6: 52.0
Best tank in V6: 46.0
Best tank in Mazda: 49.9
Best tank in CBR: 61.3
Best tank in SV: 83.9
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
You can lead a fashion-conscious horse to unusual-looking water...
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03-29-2016, 07:58 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Spaced out...
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Do bikes need a spat with their domed tires? Car tires present a flat surface with a lot of tread to the leading air, but bike tires are round with little tread...could the benefit of a spat be so little that it's not worth adding to the vehicle?
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03-29-2016, 11:22 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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The ground clearance on a motorcycle is roughly half that of a car. The wheelbase is much shorter also. So the cost effectiveness may not be much. Do the A-B-A test and find out. What gets measured gets improved.
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04-01-2016, 02:59 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spacemanspif
Do bikes need a spat with their domed tires? Car tires present a flat surface with a lot of tread to the leading air, but bike tires are round with little tread...could the benefit of a spat be so little that it's not worth adding to the vehicle?
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I'm thinking this is the reason. Not much need for a spat if the tire is already relatively streamlined. Perhaps enclosing the tire completely at the sides would make more sense, to remove turbulence. |
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04-01-2016, 12:24 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Rat Racer
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From a purely aero perspective, the wheels are probably the least dirty part of a bike.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog44
Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @∞MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%
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04-03-2016, 02:50 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Have you ever rode a bike with solid wheels? Side winds blow you all over the road. Enclosed tires on a motorcycle is only a good idea if the body is streamlined.
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05-17-2016, 01:08 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Fuel efficiency is far far down the list of importance for the industry.
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