Design and Evaluation of Aerodynamic Appendages for a Racing Motorcycle Prototype

The study of aerodynamics in racing motorcycle prototypes has become an essential phase, significantly enhancing performance during all riding phases. In the present study, three rear fairing winglet proposals for a racing motorcycle prototype were designed and evaluated. The three designs, realized in Siemens NX, were imported into a validated Simcenter STAR-CCM+ CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) model. From the analysis of the results, it was observed that the designs had varying impacts on the overall drag and lift values. The design and simulation campaigns conducted allowed for a comprehensive evaluation and appreciation of the aerodynamic functions crucial for vehicle dynamics, such as closing the wake to reduce drag and preventing advantages for following riders. By analysing the aerodynamic performance of each design, this study aimed to identify the configuration that best meets the required dynamic conditions. Furthermore, this study emphasized the importance of having a rear fairing that not only optimizes aerodynamic efficiency but also contributes to the overall stability and control of the motorcycle. Through iterative design and simulation processes, one of the three analysed designs emerged as the most effective solution, providing a balanced combination of reduced drag and improved downforce characteristics essential for competitive racing. Future developments could involve implementing optimization algorithms to further enhance the performance of the best rear winglet design.