A key performance area for fast motorcycles is aerodynamics. High-performance motorcycle are not only sleek and slippery to minimise air resistance. But, also motorcycles these days come with aero wings that offer downforce on the machine. Increased downforce convert to more high speed stability as well as stable acceleration.
BMW Motorrad – Active Aero Winglets
However, as the motorcycle corners, the fixed winglets loose efficiency as the motorcycle banks. BMW Motorrad could be working on a solution to such a problem by introducing active aero winglets. Though the sight of Aero Winglets is now common on most high-end motorcycles. The use of active aerodynamic surfaces is quite new.
According to patents, the new active system will allow the winglets to stay parallel to the ground even when the motorcycle is cornering. This will help the bike stick to the ground even further. The added grip will allow the rider to use more power into the corner and ultimately lead to faster lap times.
However, the added weight of the active aero mechanism which is likely to include a few motors and a dedicated IMU (Inertia Measuring Unit) could nullify the positive results. While this appears to be quite nascent, as the patents do not disclose how the wings work. We believe, BMW Motorrad will be able to miniaturise and lighten the technology in the near future.
BMW Motorrad – Winglet Technology and Aerodynamics
Currently, the BMW Motorrad S1000 RR uses a fixed winglet system for increasing downforce. BMW claims that the composite plastic winglets generate up to 17.1 kg aerodynamic downforce at the speed of 300 km/h. Thanks to the added downforce the tendency of the front wheel to lift off the road surface when accelerating is reduced. This further leads to maintain contact with the ground and thus minimal intervention from DTC (Dynamic Traction Control). Thanks to this, the drive power is efficiently converted into acceleration.
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