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CourseMotorcycles & 2-Wheelers Applications open

Aerodynamics course applied to motorcycle fairings

Online course of 300 hours in aerodynamics applied to motorcycle fairings: 6 modules covering motorcycle aerodynamics, fairing design, aerodynamic appendages, CFD simulation and aerodynamic testing, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the aerodynamic forces acting on motorcycle and rider.

02

Design fairings that reduce drag and improve protection.

03

Evaluate aerodynamic appendages and their regulation.

04

Simulate the flow around a motorcycle with CFD.

05

Apply wind-tunnel and track testing methods.

06

Correlate numerical and experimental results.

07

Design a fairing with quantified aerodynamic improvements.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Motorcycle aerodynamicists seeking deeper fairing expertise.
  • CFD engineers moving into two-wheeler applications.
  • Fairing designers.
  • Wind-tunnel technicians.
  • Cooling engineers working on airflow and heat management.
  • Track engineers interested in aerodynamic performance.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join motorcycle manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
  • FIM MotoGP World Championship Technical Regulations (technical rules for fairings and appendages)
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014 (construction requirements, external projections)
  • Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 (type approval of L-category vehicles)
  • ASME V&V 20-2009 (verification and validation in CFD)
  • SAE J2263 (road load determination by coastdown)
  • Ansys Fluent
  • STAR-CCM+
  • OpenFOAM
  • SolidWorks
  • ParaView
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Aerodynamic drag and frontal area
  2. 1.2Cx coefficient and the CxA product
  3. 1.3Rider-motorcycle interaction in the flow
  4. 1.4Tucked versus upright position
  5. 1.5Lift and its effect on stability
  6. 1.6Aerodynamic pitching moment
  7. 1.7Crosswind sensitivity
  8. 1.8Cooling and internal flow
  9. 1.9History of fairings
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: calculation of power required according to CxA
  1. 2.1Windscreen: height and rake
  2. 2.2Side panels and hot-air exit
  3. 2.3Front section and ram-air intakes
  4. 2.4Mudguards and flow around the wheels
  5. 2.5Tail section and rear separation
  6. 2.6Rider wind protection
  7. 2.7Turbulence at the helmet
  8. 2.8Fairing materials
  9. 2.9Fasteners and quick release
  10. 2.10Workshop: windscreen design in CAD
  1. 3.1Wings and winglets in MotoGP
  2. 3.2Downforce and anti-wheelie
  3. 3.3Effect when cornering at lean
  4. 3.4Ground-effect aerodynamics on the tail section
  5. 3.5Fork fairings and spoons
  6. 3.6FIM fairing regulations
  7. 3.7Type approval of appendages on production motorcycles
  8. 3.8Safety risks
  9. 3.9Recent technological developments
  10. 3.10Case study: analysis of superbike winglets
  1. 4.1Motorcycle and rider geometry
  2. 4.2Meshing of complex geometries
  3. 4.3Turbulence models
  4. 4.4Rotating wheels and moving ground
  5. 4.5Simulation at lean
  6. 4.6Post-processing of pressures and wakes
  7. 4.7Calculation of forces and moments
  8. 4.8Parametric windscreen studies
  9. 4.9Validation of results
  10. 4.10Lab: comparison of two windscreens in CFD
  1. 5.1Scale and full-scale wind tunnels
  2. 5.2Six-component aerodynamic balance
  3. 5.3Visualisation with smoke and tufts
  4. 5.4Coastdown testing on track
  5. 5.5Pressure sensors on the fairing
  6. 5.6Cooling tests
  7. 5.7Aerodynamic noise at the helmet
  8. 5.8Correlation between CFD and wind tunnel
  9. 5.9Writing the aerodynamic report
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: coastdown method to estimate CxA
  1. 6.1Definition of the motorcycle and objectives
  2. 6.2Analysis of the baseline fairing
  3. 6.3Improvement concept
  4. 6.4CAD design of the fairing
  5. 6.5CFD simulation of the new fairing
  6. 6.6Cooling analysis
  7. 6.7Regulatory compliance of the fairing
  8. 6.8Validation plan
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it is compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, SolidWorks and ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: CFD comparison of windscreens, coastdown testing on track and flow visualisation with tufts. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.

Standards covered: SAE J1594, FIM MotoGP World Championship Technical Regulations, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014, Regulation (EU) No 168/2013, ASME V&V 20-2009, SAE J2263.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of SAE J1594, the FIM MotoGP Technical Regulations and Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, SolidWorks, ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the complete design project for an aerodynamic motorcycle fairing, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Define motorcycle and objectives
Set the motorcycle and the aerodynamic targets of the project.
Analyse the baseline fairing
Assess the reference fairing and define the improvement concept.
Design and simulate
Model the new fairing in CAD and simulate it with CFD.
Check cooling and compliance
Analyse cooling, verify regulatory compliance and plan validation.
Final project
Present the fairing with quantified aerodynamic improvements, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Motorcycle aerodynamicistCFD engineerFairing designerWind-tunnel technicianCooling engineerTrack engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, SolidWorks, ParaView, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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