Experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle design
The aerodynamic drag of a motorcycle greatly affects its energy efficiency, with the rider’s posture being a key factor in determining overall drag. This study presents a systematic comparative analysis of various rider postures through a multi-phase experimental approach: modification of an electri...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259019822500212X |
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| author | Frederick Spaven Yuanchang Liu Mehdi Baghdadi |
| author_facet | Frederick Spaven Yuanchang Liu Mehdi Baghdadi |
| author_sort | Frederick Spaven |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aerodynamic drag of a motorcycle greatly affects its energy efficiency, with the rider’s posture being a key factor in determining overall drag. This study presents a systematic comparative analysis of various rider postures through a multi-phase experimental approach: modification of an electric motorcycle for a reclining rider posture, quantitatively measuring rider–vehicle interaction forces and developing an analytical framework that correlates rider posture with ergonomic factors and aerodynamic parameters.The results show that aerodynamic drag can be reduced by up to 56% by changes to rider posture but viable applications are limited by the associated trade-offs, in particular a reduction in rider–ground interaction forces of up to 60%. Through this analysis, critical design constraints are identified and quantitative relationships between rider positioning, aerodynamic efficiency, ergonomic constraints and operational stability are established. The findings offer evidence-based design guidelines for optimising the balance between aerodynamic performance, rider control, and ergonomic considerations in motorcycle design. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-59a3906f44384a78b7475eb00cc39f44 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-1982 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives |
| spelling | doaj-art-59a3906f44384a78b7475eb00cc39f442025-08-22T04:57:54ZengElsevierTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives2590-19822025-07-013210153310.1016/j.trip.2025.101533Experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle designFrederick Spaven0Yuanchang Liu1Mehdi Baghdadi2Corresponding author.; Department of Engineering, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UKDepartment of Engineering, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UKDepartment of Engineering, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UKThe aerodynamic drag of a motorcycle greatly affects its energy efficiency, with the rider’s posture being a key factor in determining overall drag. This study presents a systematic comparative analysis of various rider postures through a multi-phase experimental approach: modification of an electric motorcycle for a reclining rider posture, quantitatively measuring rider–vehicle interaction forces and developing an analytical framework that correlates rider posture with ergonomic factors and aerodynamic parameters.The results show that aerodynamic drag can be reduced by up to 56% by changes to rider posture but viable applications are limited by the associated trade-offs, in particular a reduction in rider–ground interaction forces of up to 60%. Through this analysis, critical design constraints are identified and quantitative relationships between rider positioning, aerodynamic efficiency, ergonomic constraints and operational stability are established. The findings offer evidence-based design guidelines for optimising the balance between aerodynamic performance, rider control, and ergonomic considerations in motorcycle design.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259019822500212XMotorcycle ergonomicsMotorcycle aerodynamicsRider postureSustainable transportationVehicle design |
| spellingShingle | Frederick Spaven Yuanchang Liu Mehdi Baghdadi Experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle design Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives Motorcycle ergonomics Motorcycle aerodynamics Rider posture Sustainable transportation Vehicle design |
| title | Experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle design |
| title_full | Experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle design |
| title_fullStr | Experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle design |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle design |
| title_short | Experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle design |
| title_sort | experimental analysis of alternative rider postures for low drag motorcycle design |
| topic | Motorcycle ergonomics Motorcycle aerodynamics Rider posture Sustainable transportation Vehicle design |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259019822500212X |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT frederickspaven experimentalanalysisofalternativeriderposturesforlowdragmotorcycledesign AT yuanchangliu experimentalanalysisofalternativeriderposturesforlowdragmotorcycledesign AT mehdibaghdadi experimentalanalysisofalternativeriderposturesforlowdragmotorcycledesign |