The most unrecognizable motorcycles: aerodynamics sweeps MotoGP

He MotoGP shakedown in Sepang It serves little purpose in drawing conclusions about which teams will dominate the season. It works only so that beginners, debutants in new teams and test drivers have sensations after the work done in the factories. So maybe we can draw some conclusions from the speed, but we can see what direction the brands are going and the path is clear: Aerodynamics is no longer a simple aid. This is a priority.

The KTM which is piloting these three days of testing in Malaysia Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro, Austrian test pilot, including Pedro Acostawhich debuts in MotoGP with the GasGas RC16is the best example.

The guys from Mattighofen added small fins to Dani’s bike that stick out from the front wheel fender. A large air inlet is also seen at the front entrance of the fairing, innovative compared to last season’s KTM. And if that wasn’t enough, the now famous fins that almost all motorcycles have on the front axle cannot be missing.

But that’s only on the front axle. At the rear it also seems to have taken a step beyond the famous ‘dinosaur’ fin that Ducati surprised last year. The tail has a double-level element to generate airflow.

Ducati and Aprilia were the pioneers

Most of all Ducati is the brand that promoted the aerodynamic issue in the World Championship. When the first fairing fins appeared in the middle of the last decade, everyone threw up their hands and said they had to be removed for safety reasons. And maybe they are right, but far from reduction, today there is not a single brand that chooses to include elements that are always associated with cars but in the world of two wheels it seems unthinkable.

Over the years, it became clear that his role was yielding results. Aprilia has therefore followed in the footsteps of its compatriots and after years of hard work they have consolidated themselves in the upper zone in recent campaigns. The Japanese brands have always been quieter and this is one of the reasons why now they have been given some concessions to try to get out of the hole in which they have sunk for several years.

In 2024, it seems that the European brands are still a step ahead in the aerodynamic aspect. Ducati continues to innovate much of its fairing while Aprilia surprises with a tail that has nothing to do with KTM. Made of carbon fiber and very reminiscent of the rear of WEC cars.

The reason for some overtakings?

Now it is clear that for engineers these aerodynamic concepts are important to extract the maximum potential, but with so much airflow, following closely has become more complicated in recent times. That’s why knife fights are decreasing compared to a few years ago. It is difficult to find a balance between the highest speed and the greatest spectacle. Is there a one day limit? This is the big doubt.