Understanding Your Motorcycle’s Aerodynamics

Motorcycles are swift, powerful, and rugged machines, but air friction can be a real drag on their performance. That sounds complicated, but it’s a simple matter of surface area and angles. We here at East Bay Motorsports want your every ride to be as thrilling and efficient as possible, so we’ve put together some information on motorcycle aerodynamics and how it affects your bike. To learn more, or to see the motorcycles we have for sale, contact our store in Hayward, California, today!

The Basics

First, it’s important to start on the same page. Aerodynamics can sound complicated, but really all it means is how well an object cuts through the air without resistance. Ideally, the leading edge of an object should be narrow and taper outward as it goes back, like a bullet or a sports car. Your motorcycle does pretty well with that, but it’s not perfect.

What Impacts Aerodynamics?

Motorcycles tend to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, but intent and reality don’t always match up. First, your position on the bike can impact airflow around it. Naked bikes, for instance, have upright seating that forces you to sit up straighter. This means more surface area for the air to go around, which means more chances for it to catch on something and slow you down. 

Next, think about your clothing. If it’s baggy or bulky, that can create even more drag on your bike overall. This will be especially prominent in winter—you don’t need too many layers in our Bay Area winters, but you’ll still need some. Every layer adds bulk and surface area.

Finally, if you have any attachments or cargo on the motorcycle, they can either improve or worsen the aerodynamics. A taller, slanted windshield, for instance, can help improve airflow so you aren’t as much of a factor, but large bags and suitcases can be a pain. Ideally, try to distribute any luggage between small, symmetrical bags.

What Does It Impact?

Aerodynamics have a lot of influence over how well your motorcycle performs, from speed and agility to fuel efficiency. Drag will slow you down—more drag will slow you more. The more it slows you down, the more you’ll have to struggle to maintain the speeds you want or maneuver effectively.

And of course, that means using more fuel to maintain the same speeds. The worse your aerodynamics are, the worse your fuel economy will be. If it’s bad enough, you may even notice that a tank of gas doesn’t get you as far as it should.

We hope this brief guide to motorcycle aerodynamics helped you understand and improve your own! For more information, or to see the motorcycles we have available, contact us at East Bay Motorsports. We proudly serve the Bay Area in California—let us serve you today!