The purpose of such an initiative was to aerodynamically optimise their riding positions on their bikes, at simulated speeds up to 240 km/h (150 mph), as they tried several different positions and body angles in order to find the ones that minimise the drag as much as possible.
The team also worked on optimising the aerodynamic efficiency of the wind shield of the 2011 BMW S 1000 RR. The data collected will now be analysed in detail and based on these results, the bike will be prepared for the next winter test that takes place at the end of November in Jerez.
"The riding position is a main factor for the aerodynamic efficiency of the overall package of rider and bike," stated Rainer Baumel, Technical Director Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport. "The positions of the head and the upper body, of elbows, knees and feet can have an enormous influence on the drag, and subsequently on lap times. Of course, there is not one position that is the optimum for all riders, because it all depends on so many different individual factors, beginning with height and stature. The intensive work in the wind tunnel enabled Troy and Leon to find out what riding position is the best for them personally."
"At the same time we try to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the bike as much as possible within the strict technical regulations," Baumel continues. "This is why we evaluated several different shapes and positions of the wind shield. We collected a lot of valuable data that will help us with the set up of the bike for the next tests."
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