WORLDS FIRST DUCTED MID-SIZED SPORTS BIKE
Zero SR/S INTELLIGENT AERO PROTOTYPE
Zero SR/S incorporates a bespoke bifurcated aerodynamic duct running through the centre of the motorcycle, channelling air from behind the front wheel and exiting above the rear wheel. To enhance the airflow through the patented duct the team have also engineered a new aerodynamic front fender and fork shroud package, ensuring maximum airflow through the duct.
Within this application the design team have created a vertically bifurcated duct that picks the air up behind the front wheel and navigates the existing ZERO SR/S architecture and exits the bike just under the seat. Through the baseline testing phase the engineering team used F1 style aero rakes in front and behind the front wheel and in front of the rear wheel to gain a deep understanding of the air flow. This work identified the impact of the upstream architecture on the performance of the duct leading to the development of bespoke front fenders and fork shrouds have been created to enhance the overall performance.
The concept behind this central air duct has been honed as part of the White Motorcycle Concept's land-speed record programme, and in the WMCSRS development the optimised dual-channel design, and upstream architecture, delivers a 10% increase in aerodynamic efficiency, equating to increased range at highway speeds.
The aerodynamic efficiency gain can be used to extend range and/or lower costs, reducing the need for a larger battery, in turn cutting down weight, charge time, and battery expenses. The duct is affordable to integrate and manufacture, with its range benefits remaining consistent over time. It enables increased top speed (max), top speed (sustained) and acceleration with a very low risk of component failure, and its advantages increase with higher-speed riding, unlike batteries, which tend to lose efficiency under such conditions.