Motorcycles Technology
CBR1000RR-R Engineers Talk
Power of the air changes machine’s behavior.
Sekiya:
What is totally different from the previous CBR-RR is aerodynamic performance.
Ito:
Initially we were concerned that adding so many aerodynamic features might increase drag. But there was nothing to worry about.
Sekiya:
How did the development happen?
Yokokawa:
It started in the beginning of 2017 when we were asked for ideas for controlling wheelies of the MotoGP machines.Around the same time, the development of the CBR 1000RR-R kicked off and the teams decided to share the know-how.
Sekiya:
So it was a rare opportunity when two teams were closely aligned.
Yokokawa:
Instead of adding aerodynamic parts, we transferred know-how on aerodynamics to designers so that beauty and function could coexist.
Sekiya:
What kind of benefits can we expect in reality?
Yokokawa:
Duration of staying at the corner will be shortened.
Shunji Yokokawa (Dynamic Force Research)
Served as a test rider for Honda from 1998 and joined Honda as a full-time employee in 2006.
Took a role as Deputy Large Project Leader for the CB1100, CTX, etc. His field of expertise is aerodynamics.
Competed in the Bonneville Speed Week on the CBR600RR developed in 2013. His fastest speed record is unbroken still.
Exerts outstanding performance on the straight road.
Sekiya:
Which means?
Yokokawa:
Because of the angle of attack (AoA) on the wing, when the nose sinks at the time of braking, force is applied to the direction to push down the front, stabilizing behavior.
Ito:
When the front is normally pushed back by releasing the brake to lean the machine, this feature pushes it down with a constant force. Therefore, grip feel is maintained.
Yokokawa:
That is right. Data apparently prove it.The force pushing down the front tire draws out a turning force to limit front lift during acceleration. When we see the total action from entering the corner to turning at a maximum lean angle and exiting, the machine can travel farther in distance in the same period of time.
Sekiya:
It is an ideal feature.
Ito:
What we feel once on the machine is like, I would say, “it is holding to my bosom.”It is not pushing down the front with an obvious “hey, it’s kicking in!”, but it lets the entire vehicle sink down evenly.It is natural and there is nothing strange about it.
Sekiya's Eye
One of the major characteristics of the FIREBLADE is that aerodynamic properties are thoroughly pursued. Achieving the smallest Cd value in the class in mind, design was developed synchronously with aerodynamic analysis. As a result, Honda has introduced the winglet for the first time to the domestic mass production motorcycles.
At a glance, the FIREBLADE winglet appears to consist of only 3 fins in the tunnel inside of the cowling, but it is actually very deliberately designed based on hydrodynamics theories involving the fin cross-sectional geometry, installing angle, profile of installing area, etc.When looking closely, you will understand it is nothing simple.
Now, to the circuit.
Sekiya:
Anyway, it is impressive that Mr. Ito and the others talk happily.
Ito:
I have been working as a test rider for a long time and, I would say, this is “THE” best motorcycle in my career. Such an incredible thing has been created.
Sekiya:
I don’t really remember Mr. Ito ever raving, so I thought what he said was very credible. (laughs)
Ito:
It is not flattery at all. I don’t think you can find a motorcycle better than this easily.
Sekiya:
What kind of universe would this motorcycle show to the general riders?
Ito:
Let’s see.
I think this is a motorcycle that would take a rider to the world he/she has never been to on a circuit race track.Actually when riding this motorcycle “off the shelf” at Twin Ring Motegi, I marked a record close to the race track record of several years ago.Even if you ride it as you normally do, you realize you hit a time record you have never achieved before. It is faster than you think.
Sekiya:
That is awesome.
Ito:
I have ordered an SP for myself.
I felt tempted into it for the first time in many years.
Ishikawa:
I think all the development team members have placed an order for it. (laughs)
We had tough times but I am confident to say that we have made a wonderful motorcycle.This time, our main setting was changed from the previous “public road” to the “circuit track”.In a sense, this is a direction change, but the base that “everyone can savor the joy of maneuvering” stays unchanged.
Sekiya:
Just a change of locations.
Ishikawa:
That is correct.From the time when the first generation FireBlade debuted, the circuit track has become a lot more accessible. This is a worldwide trend.So, I would like as many people as possible to let the machine go off on the circuit track as they please to get a glimpse of the universe a race rider experiences.