Understanding Your Motorcycle’s Aerodynamics

Air friction has a huge impact on how your bike handles. The more aerodynamic you make your motorcycle, the smoother your next ride will feel. If you’d like to know a bit more about your motorcycle’s aerodynamics, check out this guide from Jim Moroney’s Inc. 

The Basics

Aerodynamics is surprisingly easy to understand. Generally speaking, you want your bike’s leading edge to be narrow and taper outward as it goes back. This will allow your bike to essentially cut through the air. If you need a better visualization of what we’re talking about, think of how a bullet or sports car is shaped. Once you’ve grasped the basics, everything else should fall into place. 

What Impacts Aerodynamics?

There are several factors to consider when it comes to aerodynamics. Anything that creates a bigger surface area will result in more drag and thus slow you down. Two good examples are standing further upright and wearing baggy clothing while riding. Attachments and cargo added to your motorcycle can be another source of drag. Consider swapping out your tall windshield for a slanted model, and distributing cargo among several smaller, symmetrical bags rather than one big one. 

What Does It Impact?

Why go to all this trouble? Simply put, the more aerodynamic you can make your motorcycle, the faster you can go while using the same amount of fuel. A more aerodynamic motorcycle is also easier to handle. 

Shop motorcycles at Jim Moroney’s Inc. in New Windsor, New York. We also have motorcycle parts and servicing. We’re proud to serve communities like Newburgh, and Cornwall, New York.