I agree that aero can make a big difference, I just meant to say that the same
fairing should make proportionally the same difference on the same motorcylce
regardless of whether it is gas or electric. You are not increasing the
efficiency of either drivetrain, you are just reducing the required power to
move at a certain speed.
By the way, riding into a headwind is the same as riding faster but into no
wind from an aerodynamics point of view. The resistance of the air goes up
exponentially with speed while the rolling resistance remains almost constant.
This is why aero work is more valuable at higher speeds.
damon> Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:43:01 -0700> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> To:
[email protected]> Subject: Re: [ElectricMotorcycles] Craig
Vetter DVD> > I have been thinking through an ultra-lightweight project and I
think the aero has a much greater effect than you are> implying here. In fact
you can get substantial improvements over an unfaired chassis even at bicycle
speeds. Just try> riding your bike into a headwind for example.> > Trying to
figure out which body work is better is much much harder, and may require
experimentation or very> sophisticated CFD software. Its way beyond me at any
rate. I figure if you can get 80% there by copying known successful> designs,
thats good enough for a low-budget project. The electrathon designs are proven,
for example.> > Now for two-wheels, I think its very different. You can get in
real trouble trying a so-called dustbin fairing. I'd> probably go with a race
fairing and close up the holes. Bikes just have terrible aerodynamics.> > try
these calculators for a rough idea of the advantages>
http://www.geocities.com/hempev/EVCalculator.html?200629>
http://www.evconvert.com/tools/evcalc/>
http://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeed.htm> > HTH> John> > damon henry wrote:>
> It seems to me the changes should be proportional. ....>
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