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Master’s in Motorcycle Aerodynamics and Stability Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in motorcycle aerodynamics and stability engineering. 12 modules covering aerodynamic forces in vehicle dynamics, weave and wobble stability, fairings and screens, downforce devices, track and road testing, integrated simulation, racing and production aerodynamics, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the aerodynamic phenomena of a motorcycle with its rider.

02

Calculate aerodynamic forces and moments and their influence on vehicle dynamics.

03

Design fairings, screens and aerodynamic downforce devices.

04

Analyse the weave and wobble stability modes.

05

Integrate aerodynamics and dynamics in simulation models.

06

Apply racing aerodynamic regulations.

07

Develop an aerodynamic package with its stability analysis.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Motorcycle aerodynamicists.
  • Vehicle dynamics and stability engineers.
  • Fairing design engineers.
  • Racing engineers.
  • Simulation engineers.
  • Track test engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to join motorcycle manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
  • SAE J2071 (aerodynamic testing of road vehicles, open-throat wind tunnel adjustment)
  • ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding ability vocabulary)
  • ISO 9129 (motorcycles, measurement methods for moments of inertia)
  • ISO 9130 (motorcycles, measurement method for location of centre of gravity)
  • FIM Grand Prix Regulations (MotoGP technical regulations)
  • FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championship Regulations (production-derived racing regulations)
  • Regulation (EU) 168/2013 (approval of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles)
  • ANSYS Fluent
  • Simcenter STAR-CCM+
  • MSC Adams
  • BikeSim
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Particularities compared with the car
  2. 1.2Aerodynamic interaction between motorcycle and rider
  3. 1.3Drag and lift coefficients
  4. 1.4Frontal area and CdA
  5. 1.5Aerodynamic pitching and yawing moments
  6. 1.6Influence of lean angle
  7. 1.7Wake and turbulence
  8. 1.8Top speed and power
  9. 1.9History of fairings
  10. 1.10Case study: CdA of different motorcycle types
  1. 2.1Aerodynamic load transfer
  2. 2.2Effect on wheelies
  3. 2.3Effect under braking
  4. 2.4Load when leaned over
  5. 2.5Centre of pressure
  6. 2.6Lateral forces from crosswind
  7. 2.7Yawing moment
  8. 2.8Sensitivity to rider position
  9. 2.9Modelling in simulation
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: aerodynamic impact on acceleration
  1. 3.1Motorcycle eigenmodes
  2. 3.2Weave oscillation mode
  3. 3.3Wobble oscillation mode
  4. 3.4Low-speed capsize mode
  5. 3.5Eigenvalue analysis
  6. 3.6Influence of frame stiffness
  7. 3.7Influence of the tyre
  8. 3.8Steering damper
  9. 3.9Effect of passenger and luggage
  10. 3.10Lab: modal analysis in Adams
  1. 4.1Aerodynamics and high-speed weave
  2. 4.2Front-wheel load
  3. 4.3Effect of top boxes and panniers
  4. 4.4Tall screens and stability
  5. 4.5Effect of gusty wind
  6. 4.6Overtaking lorries
  7. 4.7Straight-line stability
  8. 4.8Studies with real data
  9. 4.9Design recommendations
  10. 4.10Case study: instability with side panniers
  1. 5.1Front fairing design
  2. 5.2Height-adjustable screens
  3. 5.3Rider protection
  4. 5.4Radiator cooling
  5. 5.5Ram-air intakes
  6. 5.6Integration with lighting
  7. 5.7Materials and manufacturing
  8. 5.8Helmet aerodynamic noise
  9. 5.9Styling and brand
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: designing a touring screen
  1. 6.1Side winglets on the fairing
  2. 6.2Ducts in the fairing
  3. 6.3Ground effect in the fairing
  4. 6.4Tail-section spoilers
  5. 6.5Front-wheel fairings
  6. 6.6Active aerodynamic devices
  7. 6.7FIM regulations
  8. 6.8Transfer to production motorcycles
  9. 6.9Safety risks
  10. 6.10Workshop: designing a side winglet
  1. 7.1Coast-down tests
  2. 7.2Speed measurement with wind
  3. 7.3Pressure sensors
  4. 7.4Measurement of suspension loads
  5. 7.5Aerodynamic telemetry channels
  6. 7.6Test repeatability
  7. 7.7Tests with different riders
  8. 7.8Stability tests
  9. 7.9Test safety
  10. 7.10Lab: coast-down analysis
  1. 8.1Aerodynamic maps in simulation
  2. 8.2Co-simulation between CFD and multibody
  3. 8.3Rider models
  4. 8.4Lap simulation
  5. 8.5Sensitivity studies
  6. 8.6Multidisciplinary optimisation of the whole vehicle
  7. 8.7Crosswind simulation
  8. 8.8Validation of the results
  9. 8.9Use in development
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: lap simulation with aero
  1. 9.1MotoGP and aero development
  2. 9.2Superbike and homologation
  3. 9.3Development limits
  4. 9.4Slipstreaming and wakes
  5. 9.5Aerodynamics under braking
  6. 9.6Aerodynamics in corners
  7. 9.7Aero and tyre wear
  8. 9.8Team data
  9. 9.9Evolution of the technical regulations
  10. 9.10Case study: aerodynamic package for a fast circuit
  1. 10.1Touring and crossover
  2. 10.2Scooters and their protection
  3. 10.3Naked motorcycle aerodynamics
  4. 10.4Electric motorcycles and range
  5. 10.5Rider thermal comfort
  6. 10.6Rain soiling
  7. 10.7Homologation requirements
  8. 10.8Aftermarket aerodynamic accessories
  9. 10.9Costs and associated budget
  10. 10.10Practical exercise: aerodynamic improvement of a naked bike
  1. 11.1Development planning
  2. 11.2Tools and resources
  3. 11.3Integration with design
  4. 11.4Decision-making
  5. 11.5Data management
  6. 11.6Costs and timescales
  7. 11.7Collaboration with suppliers
  8. 11.8Intellectual property of designs
  9. 11.9Process monitoring indicators
  10. 11.10Case study: development plan for a sports bike
  1. 12.1Definition of the vehicle
  2. 12.2Initial aerodynamic analysis
  3. 12.3Fairing design
  4. 12.4Device design
  5. 12.5Stability analysis
  6. 12.6Integrated system simulation
  7. 12.7Test plan
  8. 12.8Evaluation of results
  9. 12.9Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, MSC Adams, BikeSim and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: measuring the aerodynamic coefficients of a sports motorcycle, analysing the effect of winglets on straight-line stability, and a wobble study with aerodynamic loads. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: SAE J1594, SAE J2071, ISO 8855, ISO 9129, ISO 9130, FIM Grand Prix Regulations, FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championship Regulations, Regulation (EU) 168/2013.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of SAE J1594, SAE J2071 and ISO 8855 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, MSC Adams, BikeSim and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:An aerodynamic package with its stability analysis, defended before a panel.
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.

Initial aerodynamic analysis
Determine the CdA and aerodynamic loads of the chosen motorcycle with CFD.
Fairing and screen design
Design the fairing and screen for rider protection and cooling.
Downforce devices
Design winglets or other devices within the FIM regulations.
Stability and lap simulation
Analyse weave and wobble in Adams and run a lap simulation with aero maps.
Master's Thesis
An aerodynamic package with its stability analysis, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Motorcycle aerodynamicistVehicle dynamics and stability engineerFairing design engineerRacing engineerSimulation engineerTrack test engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 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, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, MSC Adams, BikeSim and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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