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winglet

BMW is making strides in motorcycle technology with the development of illuminated winglets, according to their latest patent.

  • This innovation could potentially be incorporated into future BMW Motorrad models, including the M 1000 RR and M 1000 R.
  • The illuminated aero is aimed at reducing weight whilst enhancing visibility. 

Currently, BMW’s S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR motorcycles feature turn signals integrated into their mirrors, eliminating the need for additional protrusions on the sides of the bike.

However, this solution adds weight and cost. By utilizing the winglets as turn signals, BMW aims to reduce weight and improve cost-efficiency. The LED strips in the winglets have a lower and more forward mass distribution, providing a slight advantage in terms of weight distribution.

 

The illuminated winglets serve a dual purpose, combining daytime running lights (DRLs) and turn signals. When the turn signals are not in use, the DRLs remain illuminated, turning off on one side only when the turn signal is activated.

This arrangement enhances visibility, especially in low-light conditions, making the motorcycle more noticeable to oncoming traffic. The wider separation of the DRLs defines the bike’s widest part, allowing for easier estimation of its speed.

In addition to the lighting elements, BMW’s patent also includes a projector light mounted on the lower surface of the winglets. This light is designed to project a puddle of light onto the ground, similar to the puddle lights found in cars. This feature enhances visibility when stopped, providing a better view of the surface on which the motorcycle’s sidestand is placed.

The patent even suggests the possibility of incorporating a transparent liquid-crystal display into the projector light, allowing for customizable patterns to be projected onto the ground.

While the primary purpose of the winglets is aerodynamic, BMW’s lighting innovation could prove to be more advantageous for riders in terms of safety. With the combination of enhanced visibility and the projection of light onto the ground, these illuminated winglets could offer significant benefits to motorcyclists in the future.

(source: Cycle World)

BMW Motorrad has officially announced the new 2023 BMW S 1000 RR. 

  • 2023 BMW S 1000 RR gains major styling updates including M 1000 RR-inspired winglets.
  • New for 2023 includes revised electronic package and higher horsepower. 

The most notable change in the 2023 model year is the appearance of the M 1000 RR-inspired winglets at the front. According to BMW, the winglet adds up to 10kg of downforce at high speed.

Although the winglets are not as big as the M 1000 RR, which contribute to 16kg of front-end downforce, the new piece puts the 2023 S 1000 RR on par with the rest of the litre bike in its segment.

However, the 2023 S 1000 RR not only features styling updates and a lot of changes underneath the skin, including a revised chassis and a tweaked engine.

Despite retaining the same frame from the previous generation, BMW claimed that 2023MY allows for more flex due to adding more holes in the die-cast alloy frame. 

Also new for 2023 is the steering-head angle, now sitting at 23.6 degrees rather than 23.1 degrees. The wheelbase is now longer, from 56.7-inches to 57.4-inch.

Interestingly, BMW’s adjustable swingarm pivot, previously available on the M Chassis Kit, is now standard on the new S 1000 RR. 

BMW also added a new height-adjustable linkage for the rear shock and revised the wheel bushings and brake to allow for a faster tire change. 

Other changes include a bigger rear sprocket (up from 45 to 46) that helps to improve acceleration, a new airbox and shortened variable-height intake funnels, all taken from the M 1000 RR. 

Meanwhile, thanks to a revised 999cc ShiftCam four-cylinder engine, the 2023 S 1000 RR now makes 207hp @ 13,750rpm and 112Nm @ 11,000rpm. 

Electronically, BMW adds a Slide Control function to the existing traction-control system that estimates the bike’s drift angle after reading the information from the new steering-angle sensor. 

In addition, the 2023 S 1000 RR also features a Brake Slide Control function that allows the rear wheel to push out a step further under braking. 

For track junkies, BMW adds a new Slick setting for the ABS that works specifically when the bike is fitted with race tires.

Other key features include:

  • lightweight battery
  • UBS port
  • redesigned wiring harness
  • updated Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter

Meanwhile, thanks to the upgrade mentioned above, expect a significant price hike over its predecessor. 

Marc Marquez di GP Qatar 2019 – Sumber imej: ultimatemotorcycling
  • Isu berkenaan dengan kelengkapan aerodinamik dalam MotoGP bertambah hangat apabila Ducati memberi amaran akan mengusulkan bantahan terhadap winglet Honda.
  • Menurut Ducati, winglet Honda mendatangkan bahaya atas beberapa sebab.
  • Isu ini timbul kerana penglibatan Honda dalam bantahan penggunaan winglet Ducati pada lengan ayun jentera GP19 di Qatar.

(more…)

Pelumba Ducati, Andrea Dovizioso mendominasi saingan pembukaan MotoGP di Litar Losail,Qatar namun sebaik perlumbaan berakhir, empat pasukan telah menyatakan bantahan terhadap kemenangan tersebut.

Kredit foto: Twitter MotoGP

Segalanya berpunca daripada ‘winglet’yang diletakkan di bahagian depan tayar belakang.

Ducati mempertahankan penggunaan alat itu dengan alasan alat tersebut bertindak menyejukkan tayar bagaimanapun, pasukan yang menyatakan bantahan berpendapat ‘winglet’tersebut menghasilkan ‘downforce’ – sekaligus melanggar peraturan penggunaan ‘winglet’ berlebihan musim ini.

Antara yang lantang menyuarakan bantahan adalah, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Aprilia Racing, Massimo Rivola yang turut memiliki pengalaman selama 20 tahun di pentas Formula 1 – Rivola bekerjasama dengan Minardi dan Toro Rosso sebelum ke Ferrari.

Sebelum ini, peraturan dengan jelas menyatakan penggunaan ‘winglet’ atau ‘deflector’ hanya boleh digunakan ketika litar dalam keadaan basah kerana fungsi utamanya adalah ia mampu memindahkan air di sekeliling tayar bagi memastikan keselamatan pelumba.

Bagaimanapun, peraturan tersebut telah pun dikemaskini dan kini penggunaan ‘deflector’ itu turut dibolehkan dalam keadaan litar kering, sekaligus membuka peluang kepada Ducati untuk menggunakan ‘winglet’ atas alasan sama.

Di mata pengeluar lain, jelas sekali penggunaan ‘winglet’memberikan kelebihan daripada aspek aerodinamik – Yamaha menggunakan alat sama ketika perlumbaan litar basah di Valencia tahun lalu.

Aduan yang dikemukan kepada Race Direction MotoGP telah disertakan dengan laporan teknikal intensif oleh Rivola bagi menyokong hujahnya bahawa penggunaan ‘winglet’ menghasilkan downforce.

Kredit foto: Twitter MotoGP

Selain Aprilia, Suzuki, Honda dan KTM turut sama menyatakan bantahan terhadap penggunaan ‘winglet’ oleh Ducati. Mereka berasa ragu dengan alasan Ducati bahawa alat tersebut digunakan untuk menyejukkan tayar meskipun suhu litar di hari perlumbaan berada di bawah 25 darjah celsius.

Keputusan penuh oleh FIM dijangka bakal dilakukan dalam masa beberapa hari.

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