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[Richard230]

This apparently automatic aerodynamic design feature shown 30 seconds into this Moto Guzzi teaser clip of their new V1000 Mandello model looks interesting. Pretty fancy teaser video, too: 

[ultratoad]

Very, very nice looking machine....  Many have said that Guzzi should build something like the Le Mans again....  Wish them the very best....

[MVetter]

There is nothing REMOTELY aerodynamic about that design and and anyone who thinks there is should never commentate on motorcycle design ever again.

[princec]

Just about the only normal bike ever made that anyone bought that had actual aerodynamics was the ZZR1100. The other being the K1 which is now a collector's curio.
The thing about aero on bikes is it sort of solves a problem that nobody really has... the speed limit for most people most of the time in most of the world is about 70mph, below which aero isn't making a whole lot of difference. So you can see why manufacturers don't take it particularly seriously for the large majority of their model lineup. Even their litre sports bikes have terrible aero because they can just make them more powerful and the tyres don't need to get over 186mph anyway...

Cas

[Fran K]

There is nothing REMOTELY aerodynamic about that design and and anyone who thinks there is should never commentate on motorcycle design ever again.

You missed the word active.  Which is likely why Poster #1 put a clip about a gasoline motorcycle in an electric forum.  Think about all the effort discussing Damon and moving windscreen, that seems not to be going into the production models that already have significant market share reading Moto journalists on the internet.  I read Yamaha has mirror surrounds indicating nearby objects similar to Damon's windscreen edge.  Though neither will be on any 2021 models.

[Richard230]

There is nothing REMOTELY aerodynamic about that design and and anyone who thinks there is should never commentate on motorcycle design ever again.

You missed the word active.  Which is likely why Poster #1 put a clip about a gasoline motorcycle in an electric forum.  Think about all the effort discussing Damon and moving windscreen, that seems not to be going into the production models that already have significant market share reading Moto journalists on the internet.  I read Yamaha has mirror surrounds indicating nearby objects similar to Damon's windscreen edge.  Though neither will be on any 2021 models.

That was why I posted the video. It had more to do with the concept of having a mainstream motorcycle manufacturer coming up with a mass produced design that makes an attempt at automatically altering the shape of the vehicle (if only slightly) at certain speeds to affect the aerodynamics of the motorcycle - or more likely, altering the wind blast that hits the rider.  And yes, I was thinking of Damon's attempts at doing the same thing and how it was really odd that an old company like Moto Guzzi would beat them to the punch with a feature like that.

BMW must be grinding their teeth that MG came up with the idea and put it into production first.

Even if the in-motion alterations are only to improve rider comfort, once out there in the market, and if it well received by their customers, other manufacturers will likely pick up the idea and come up with moving fairing panels that will change a K100RS into a K1. 

Another relatively slippery motorcycle model is the Suzuki Halibusa. (Sorry about the spelling.     )

One other comment: From what I hear H-D is sold out of their new ADV Pan America model that automatically lowers the suspension when the rider comes to a stop. So it does appear the the public is ready for Transformer motorcycles - even if they are called a Damon. 

[Demoni]

Based on the positioning of the ducts I suspect the design is to manage airflow at highway speeds. Could smooth the airflow over a riders arms and shoulders, reducing buffeting? Would love to see wind tunnel results to see how much of a change the different positions provide.

[NEW2elec]

I agree with Demoni in that it just seems to effect a little upper air flow for comfort, maybe a little more down force but no type of "range " improvement.

Now, as for Damon, the Shift function is based on the idea that you start with a sleek street aero (not speed record aero) tucked rider hyper bike and then you can hit the Shift lever and go more upright for slower city riding in more comfort.

So the adjustments are for comfort not areo speed as that is the bikes natural form.

Here is  Michael Uhlarik to talk about Damon areo.   

 


And here.

[MVetter]

Boy those are embarrassingly bad videos.

"This aesthetic is driven by need and is still cool" -the designer who is making a generic looking FIM-based restrictions sportbike.

[Richtea]

The thing about aero on bikes is it sort of solves a problem that nobody really has... the speed limit for most people most of the time in most of the world is about 70mph, below which aero isn't making a whole lot of difference.

At 70mph, I can feel the wind pushing agsainst me, and that's with a full fairing. Even below 70mph aero makes a difference.
That wind blast is wasted energy that I'd love to avoid.

However, in the case of the Guzzi the (high) handlebar position is going to negate any potiential gain the active aero may give. It's merely a nice marketing distraction, but who knows where it may go in the future.

[Crissa]

Boy those are embarrassingly bad videos.

Boy, that's an embarrassingly bad comment.

-Crissa

[NEW2elec]

With news that the Rivian RT1 and the Lucid Air Dream are ready to go to customers and that the Lucid is the longest range production electric car at 520 miles and 930HP, Morgan is 0-2 in EV skepticism.         

[MVetter]

I've personally seen and posted pictures of both Rivians and Lucids in the wild. What on earth are you talking about?

[NEW2elec]

Quote from you Nov 20 2020

"I remain skeptical because I've seen so much chicanery in this industry. I'm not saying they did, for example, but they could easily have provided a Lucid car to Motor Trend that a special larger capacity battery pack. At no point did the Motor Trend article show a charging station with data on how many kWh were put back in the car.

Call me pessimistic but, frankly, there's too much BS going on, and I don't trust journalists."

My response was:

"As for Lucid, of course I used them as a closer to production automotive example of the type of advancements I expect from the EV world.
As for slipping in a higher battery capacity for reviews, I'm sorry man that makes no sense at all.  If Lucid was using a, whatever, 250kWh battery pack to get that range why not advertise it as such?
A bigger battery number would actually impress an EV novice more and likely sell better than explaining drag coefficient and Ohm's law.

That's really all I want to talk about Lucid, I wish them well and competition makes things better in the long run."



It took too long to find this one I'd rather not look for the Rivian doubt, but it's out there.
As for the Damon videos, I'd think you'd be happiest of all to know there is a bike company that will do real wind tunnel tests.

[MVetter]

Thank you so I remain 2-0