one, reason dustbin fairings were banned from racing
was that they took away the visual impact of 'a motorcyle',
giving it a body covering the wheel[s]
The main reason dustbin fairings were banned from motorcycle racing is that they made the bikes way to stinking fast! People were starting to over run their brakes and tires so the sanctioning body needed a way to slow them down. And it has been that way ever since and even continues for land speed racing where the fairings must be cut out to show the entire rider's body from the side. And the wheels must be visible, ect.
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You don't need the full tail. You can chop it off at 60% of the total airfoil length making the bike the same total length as it was. But gaining weather protection, 100 liters of locking storage, 20% better fuel economy which will put me over 120 mpgUS at 65 mph and a big reduction in 50-80mph acceleration times. Count me in.
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You can set it up to sit on the bike any way you want. Most people prefer a cruiser position. Some people like to sit straight up but then wonder why they have a sore ass. I like a head forward and laying on a tank bag position for the best agility, a lower and more anchored side wind profile, and all day comfort.
You said it. Gas is way too cheap. People in the USA have no care in the world about just wasting it as much as they want. Gas should be taxed to at least twice it's current price to pay off the national debt.
I think Ralph Nader used to run on the idea of "tax things you don't like". If the US is serious about reducing debt and against burning fossil fuels, that would be a good option. I doubt we'll see that in my lifetime though.
just checked google images for vetter streamliner, many egs showed
same stretched scooter layout, rider sitting back, legs forward..
a few full coverage enclosed torpedo shapes, with trainer wheels rear..
one diesel powered job with sort of conventional motorcycle position
but more hunched with elbows on knees, not a serious novice/traffic bike..
most looked like, rough handiman knock ups..
not like refined design and finish with wind tunnel subtleties..
bikes shown naked prepared for the shells looked butchered,
as motorcycles, seats very low, not something you could sell..
included various stages of production including solid metal
framework which said 'ungainly' and 'extra weight'..
you have members here asking how to change chains,
how to adjust their clutch lever, and so on,, how are they
going to fit these streamliner body shells to their cbr250r..
or, who is going to do it for them, and at what cost,
given what mechanics charge for changing chains..
while still on a restricted [re-entry] license limited to 80 - 90km/hr
with most of my daily riding in suburbia including traffic etc,
my typical riding simply wouldnt benefit in any real way
from carrying this extra weight for streamling at that speed..
the extra weight could only increase fuel consumption..
in australia we pay about double what you pay in usa,
and this streamlining at half the cost of the motorcycle
[not counting installation etc costs] doesnt interest me
other than, as another interesting aspect of motorcycling..
how are usa riders with similar pocket depths and riding patterns
[lower speeds, suburbia, traffic] going to accept this streamlining
kit when they get their fuel for half the price i pay...
the matter was raised here, so this is a genuine attempt
at feedback response, from my point of view, as it seems
obvious to me given whats been presented..
also obviously, electric if hydrogen fails, will be the future
of motorcycling sooner or later.. honda having made a
very nice looking electric motorcycle already sets that
stage as a potential reality.. their bike tho
is a conventional modern racing type design..
interesting...
wouldnt benefit in any real way
from carrying this extra weight for streamling at that speed..
the extra weight could only increase fuel consumption..
Adding mass to a bike only hurts your fuel economy when you touch the brakes. Which is very infrequently for me on my highway commute. I actually add mass to my bike for economy competitions as it increases the effectiveness of Pulse and Glide.
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Streamlined motorcycles go farther on a gallon of gas and an electric bike that is streamlined will go farther on each Watt hour of electricity.
Full streamlining does Kinda suck the cool right out of motorcycling. And puts it right into your tank. And keeps it out of the air.
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I am going to truncate the tail behind the rear wheel which still gives 90% of the aero advantage.
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If motorcycles looked like this, the performance would be improved dramatically. And still look cool.
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I still think detachable dustbins are the way to go for aftermarket.
If anyone can clip them on or off with a wrench in 15 minutes it can sell, at least as a retro look modification.
The manufacturers could be doing the heavy lifting to reduce CdA on stock bikes, but let's face it, most buyers go for looks and image before anything else, and gnarly looking bikes are usually very non-aero.
sendler - mate, my point was as to context of lower speed suburban
riding situations including traffic etc, ie, generally under 50mph..
also, say there was zero effect of extra weight on potential economy,
in the lower speed stop-start environment there is also no benefit,
or no compelling benefit, such as in your highway oriented riding..
when i had a full fairing on my cb72 it was mainly for long runs
[sydney to melbourne etc] and in cold weather, but otherwise
esp in the heat of australian summer, i took it off..
comfort, can also include not being behind or within
a shell together with a heat source, rather being
within the open cooling air flow..
these are just realities which must also be considered
