Motorcycle Aerodynamics Seen with Strings!

An old-school but still commonly used method of visualizing aerodynamics involves attaching tufts to the surface of a vehicle. Tufts are essentially just pieces of string cut to different lengths, depending on the level of detail you want to observe. I searched online but couldn't find any images of this technique being used on a motorcycle, so I decided to try it in this video!
CHANNEL SUPPORT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
► PATREON : / spicy110
► PAYPAL Donations: goo.gl/A5v0yU
► CLOTHING MERCH & MORE: recklesspromot...
► KEY TAGS: motoloot.com/s...
Thank You for supporting this channel, It is your ongoing support that makes this channel possible and means I do not need to take sponsored ADs.
SOCIAL MEDIA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instagram: / spicy110_official
Twitter/X: / spicy110sm
Facebook: / spicy110
Facebook community group: / spicy110
PRODUCTS I USE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A list of products I use is available on Amazon.
www.amazon.co....
Business inquiries ONLY:
If you are interested in having a product featured or sponsoring the channel.
Please contact me here [e-mail]

[@aquasian21]

That was really fascinating 😮 it’s hard to understand air flow without seeing it like this

[@chrishandy9353]

Interesting vid. I had a fairing / screen and a top box on my previous bike (FJR1300). When riding two up at high speed (I won't mention how fast) the bike was perfectly stable. In exactly the same setup, but without the pillion the bike started to weave a bit at high speed. I can only put it down to aerodynamic effects of turbulence between the rider and top box at speed. This turbulence could be felt as rider buffeting which didn't occur with a pillion. I never thought of checking it out with strings tho!

[@elliotwoodhouse2459]

I love motorbike aero, I did my university dissertation on motorbike aero and how a few different devices affect the bike's performance in different riding positions/ bank angles/ pitch angles, so it was cool to see you make this video! My general findings using the wings I modelled were that as the bike banks over the wings generated more and more force in the horizontal direction and at high lean angles (50 degrees plus) the horizontal forces became dominant over downforce... A common thing I hear mentioned is that the rider can use their body to disturb the airflow coming from the inside-corner front wing, therefore stopping the wing generating these potentially negative horizontal forces at high lean angles, but I personally didn't find the rider position affected the performance of the wings very significantly. Whilst motorbike aero is... controversial.... among bikers, it honestly is really interesting when you get to have a deeper look into it yourself!

[@michaelmarris-xr8cp]

Very interesting video as always, however I did notice you didn’t put any on the Wheels. LoL.

[@233kosta]

Love a bit of old school aerodynamics 😁

[@marcbrasse747]

What a great idea! Aerodynamics are SO important but nowadays people are hardly aware of it. They’ll complain about petrol prices but as long as one can fill up so easily bikes which are heavy, so high one can hardly touch the ground, tuned for rediculous speeds with rolling resistance increasing fat tires are the norm. Subbed!

[@neilrodas1549]

I frequently think about wind mitigation on the drz

[@spicy110]

Sell it......haha You are a sail on a SM, really is noting you can do.

[@EUKBIKER]

Divvy just casually identifying as String... Do it with Derek!

[@firepowerg]

Your bike is covered in little willies.

[@neilp1885]

Well I didn't expect to see you doing that today! That's what I like about your channel, you do the riding advice and reviews like everyone else, but also throw in maintenance and then some more random things like this - and moths! Keep it up!

[@firestorm755]

Interesting. The low pressure area behind the screen I knew about already. Put a tank bag on with a clear map pocket. Get up to speed and it inflates. Low pressure pulls it upwards by quite a lot. Try it.

[@chrisdavidson911]

Awesome! Used to have a white VFR, when the muck & rain combo left airflow lines all over it i used to hate washing them off

[@233kosta]

The tank bit is a circulation region. It has less to do with pressure and more to do with a big wall of human behind it, creating a good bit of circulation.

[@danielkerr4100]

Interesting video 👍 something different at least. My bike is completely naked so I just get wind blasted everywhere lol. And you weren't riding home with a crate of cans on the back of the bike yesterday were you? I swear I saw the same bike yesterday go past me with the same helmet and cam on the front of it.

[@spicy110]

That would have been me most likely haha

[@littlehills739]

the "tickle me elmo" we have at home

[@nowillnoway]

New segment for all your reviews going forward? 😂 Can imagine the reaction you'll get from the PR guys when you ask if you can stick string all over the press bikes!

[@spicy110]

HAHA!

[@markmunster2142]

Very interesting

[@ProfessionalKonigSimp]

The worms got to your bike....

[@Pugwash.]

Interesting. That must have taken you a long time to stick them all on? I'm pretty sure the screen on my bike is designed to let wind hit the shoulders to take weight off my wrists. People who fit double bubbles claim it's better, but is it?

[@robbcraig8146]

Much fun! Bit surprised you have nothing better to do 🤣👋

[@spicy110]

I mean you said it, I had fun and this is my job so....😁

[@ConfusedRaccoon]

Spicy... No... But also Yes! Spotted hat nearly luminescent van at 5:30. Emergency vehicle or just a company with an offensively bright van?

[@spicy110]

Local company.

[@PhilSimpsonUK]

You've seen it here first folks, Spicy the Furry Biker I can't wait to get my big bike

[@steve00alt70]

How old is your helmet now?

[@spicy110]

3 years old in Jan 2025.

[@233kosta]

Nah dude, these create a vector field. Can't really "visualise" pressure regions, you need sensitive manometers to measure those.

[@marcbrasse747]

The extra wings on modern bikes only increase air resistance. They work exactly the same as spoilers on cars. Downforce is traded off for air resistance. Totally nonsense on the road. Another bad trend are all the moosehandler style wide handlebars that are now all the rage.

[@vicmacarra]

Random 🤣🤣

[@SupermotoZach]

Wow spicy...showing us the aerodynamics with strings attached. I feel like you should get straight to the point and not worm your way out of being entirely truthful.