Sakshi Agarwal
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of aerodynamic optimization on fuel efficiency in two-wheeler motorcycles using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Three representative models—a commuter motorcycle, a sport-style bike, and a scooter—were analyzed in ANSYS Fluent (version 17.2) under steady-state conditions. The standard k–ε turbulence model was employed to capture wake behavior around rider and chassis geometry. Modifications including fairing reshaping, wind-deflecting screens, and rider posture adjustments were evaluated for drag coefficient reduction. Results indicate that streamlined fairings yield a drag reduction of up to 15 %, translating to a fuel consumption decrease of approximately 8 % at 60 km/h. Case studies on existing production models demonstrate real-world applicability. These findings support aerodynamic enhancement as an effective strategy for improving two-wheeler fuel economy without major powertrain changes.
Keywords
Aerodynamic simulation, two-wheelers, fuel efficiency, computational fluid dynamics, drag reduction
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