Answering the Industry's Biggest Questions

mingham97
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mingham97
Edited Date/Time 6/2/2022 2:26am
Hi all,

I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in.

I am looking for inspiration so what are some big questions in motorcycle performance you want answered?

Some ideas I have so far:
- Investigating the differentiations of power characteristic in mechanical and electrical water pumps (finding optimal power character through radiator hose diameter, coolant type, hose routing, pump size)
- Investigating the effectiveness of oil coolers and optimizing performance (oil type, cooler size, radiator/cooler ratios)
- Variations between popular race fuels, pump (non-ethanol), E10 and AVGAS. Optimizing each combination
- Ideal lubricants for various chain types for off-road applications
- Comparing the effectiveness of various flagship neck braces, knee braces and helmets

Edited:Took out the 4 satire ideas because Vital's gonna Vital
8
3
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KONG
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FR
KONG 6/2/2022 2:34am
6/2/2022 2:34am Edited Date/Time 6/2/2022 2:36am
I thought the industry's biggest question was "Why are they so many dumb topics on Vital"?
Laughing
13
4
Joshracing 6/2/2022 3:49am
6/2/2022 3:49am
Will my YZ250f beat a KX250f in a drag race?
7
1
JustMX
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5234
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TN US
JustMX 6/2/2022 4:42am
6/2/2022 4:42am
What color power band works best to make my 1984 yz 125 wheelie in every gear?
6
3
roninho
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IT
roninho 6/2/2022 4:44am
6/2/2022 4:44am
Very interesting. I think there are many additional performance related topics that would be interesting to research, for example the impact of frame stiffness & material (steel vs alu vs carbon?) on performance of the bike.

But to be honest all that research would not have any relevance for me as a hobby rider.

So if i have to give one topic that i actually would be very interested to read the findings it would be helmet safety scores (and also for stuff like neck & back protection). Every year i wonder which helmet would be the safest solution and how the different makes and models compare to each other, but i havent found any clear info on that. I would be very interested in this information.
2

The Shop

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ElliotB16
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Cairo, GA US
ElliotB16 6/2/2022 4:59am
6/2/2022 4:59am
350 vs 450 for a vet rider
6
Zoom
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Cypress, TX US
Zoom 6/2/2022 5:07am
6/2/2022 5:07am
ICE vs E
1
4
mxcrzy
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83
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MI US
mxcrzy 6/2/2022 5:25am
6/2/2022 5:25am
Try and equate "feel" vs dyno results and their differences
resetjet
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Tampa, FL US
resetjet 6/2/2022 5:27am
6/2/2022 5:27am
My question is why do we still have these clunky levers and such from 1940…..my mountainbike
Has better controls.
3
Shapi
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Livermore, CA US
Shapi 6/2/2022 5:37am
6/2/2022 5:37am
The chain lube and race fuel areas are 2 I would be interested in. For most that race I would think striking the right balance between longevity and performance is key. Ex. I want to make some motor mods, but the kid races 1-2 hour GP's of 3-4 hour NHHA's. How do I maximize power there without sacrificing durability. I don't have a factory budget to rebuild after each race!
profeshenal125 6/2/2022 6:20am
6/2/2022 6:20am
An explanation of how and why a 30 hp 125 can be faster than a 450 on the track.
2
1
AgentOrange 6/2/2022 6:56am
6/2/2022 6:56am
What was in Davi's locker?
4
1
Bingslayer 6/2/2022 7:10am
6/2/2022 7:10am
AgentOrange wrote:
What was in Davi's locker?
It was a multi tool for making forbidden changes to his Kawasaki while his team were not looking.
3
MyBobbym
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725
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Apache Junction, AZ US
MyBobbym 6/2/2022 7:15am
6/2/2022 7:15am Edited Date/Time 6/2/2022 7:18am
mingham97 wrote:
Hi all, I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in...
Hi all,

I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in.

I am looking for inspiration so what are some big questions in motorcycle performance you want answered?

Some ideas I have so far:
- Investigating the differentiations of power characteristic in mechanical and electrical water pumps (finding optimal power character through radiator hose diameter, coolant type, hose routing, pump size)
- Investigating the effectiveness of oil coolers and optimizing performance (oil type, cooler size, radiator/cooler ratios)
- Variations between popular race fuels, pump (non-ethanol), E10 and AVGAS. Optimizing each combination
- Ideal lubricants for various chain types for off-road applications
- Comparing the effectiveness of various flagship neck braces, knee braces and helmets

Edited:Took out the 4 satire ideas because Vital's gonna Vital
I'd look into the phenomenon of why people feel compelled to elicit answers to important issues or questions towards the numbskulls here that reside on vital mx.
1
4
davis224
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Cornland, IL US
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363rd
davis224 6/2/2022 7:16am
6/2/2022 7:16am
mingham97 wrote:
Hi all, I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in...
Hi all,

I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in.

I am looking for inspiration so what are some big questions in motorcycle performance you want answered?

Some ideas I have so far:
- Investigating the differentiations of power characteristic in mechanical and electrical water pumps (finding optimal power character through radiator hose diameter, coolant type, hose routing, pump size)
- Investigating the effectiveness of oil coolers and optimizing performance (oil type, cooler size, radiator/cooler ratios)
- Variations between popular race fuels, pump (non-ethanol), E10 and AVGAS. Optimizing each combination
- Ideal lubricants for various chain types for off-road applications
- Comparing the effectiveness of various flagship neck braces, knee braces and helmets

Edited:Took out the 4 satire ideas because Vital's gonna Vital
How would you go about the helmet/neck brace test? What resources would be made available to you?
KennyT
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KennyT 6/2/2022 7:38am
6/2/2022 7:38am
mingham97 wrote:
Hi all, I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in...
Hi all,

I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in.

I am looking for inspiration so what are some big questions in motorcycle performance you want answered?

Some ideas I have so far:
- Investigating the differentiations of power characteristic in mechanical and electrical water pumps (finding optimal power character through radiator hose diameter, coolant type, hose routing, pump size)
- Investigating the effectiveness of oil coolers and optimizing performance (oil type, cooler size, radiator/cooler ratios)
- Variations between popular race fuels, pump (non-ethanol), E10 and AVGAS. Optimizing each combination
- Ideal lubricants for various chain types for off-road applications
- Comparing the effectiveness of various flagship neck braces, knee braces and helmets

Edited:Took out the 4 satire ideas because Vital's gonna Vital
You’re too intelligent for this place. Best of luck on your thesis
11
lestat
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10/3/2008
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Piut RE
lestat 6/2/2022 7:59am
6/2/2022 7:59am
Seat bounce …. How does it work
3
1
Falcon
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Menifee, CA US
Falcon 6/2/2022 8:19am
6/2/2022 8:19am
lestat wrote:
Seat bounce …. How does it work
Oh no....... Whistling
1
1
profeshenal125 6/2/2022 9:34am
6/2/2022 9:34am
mingham97 wrote:
Hi all, I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in...
Hi all,

I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in.

I am looking for inspiration so what are some big questions in motorcycle performance you want answered?

Some ideas I have so far:
- Investigating the differentiations of power characteristic in mechanical and electrical water pumps (finding optimal power character through radiator hose diameter, coolant type, hose routing, pump size)
- Investigating the effectiveness of oil coolers and optimizing performance (oil type, cooler size, radiator/cooler ratios)
- Variations between popular race fuels, pump (non-ethanol), E10 and AVGAS. Optimizing each combination
- Ideal lubricants for various chain types for off-road applications
- Comparing the effectiveness of various flagship neck braces, knee braces and helmets

Edited:Took out the 4 satire ideas because Vital's gonna Vital
KennyT wrote:
You’re too intelligent for this place. Best of luck on your thesis
I,m not too sure about that. The time it takes too just prep bikes is nutty, like greasing linkage, installing a rad valve since you hv the sub frame off and tank . Might as we’ll grab the new coil and iKat off the other bike, get the radiators off and polish them, change anti freeze, Jetting There’s few hrs I had the spring and plastic part for the needle go flying 6 times wed. Haha then throw in 2 vehicles switching parts ovr, etc 3 shop apts a week. I get up at 6am and work and go until 1am everyday. Not even close to being done. Throw in a few hrs of pt on the body. For now fuel testing is easy for a stock engine I drive to a pump and fill 2 6 gal cans of 110 leaded. Once modded I hv to order it from a shop and hope that it came in, more time. When my suspension comes in there’s more testing. Testing a bike I,ve owned b4 will b much easier. Basically I will hv 1 of the best setups for a cr125.
2
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Pit Row

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JM485
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5781
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Davis, CA US
JM485 6/2/2022 10:47am
6/2/2022 10:47am
A few of us have out of favor ideas about how effective these aftermarket engine hangers really are when it comes to handling, it would be interesting to load a chassis in various different ways and see what the results are compared to the stock baseline hangers. In the same vein it would be pretty cool to just see how various manufacturers chassis flex in general, and quantify what the differences really are between them.

PS, congrats on getting to your thesis, I bailed out after a bachelors and barely made it through that Laughing
Dimblewambie
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Murrieta, CA US
Dimblewambie 6/2/2022 11:17am
6/2/2022 11:17am
Where’s Blake Baggett?
3
1
KennyT
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Vista, CA US
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KennyT 6/2/2022 11:38am
6/2/2022 11:38am
mingham97 wrote:
Hi all, I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in...
Hi all,

I am looking to do a research thesis in Mechanical Engineering and I want to do it in something I have a passion in.

I am looking for inspiration so what are some big questions in motorcycle performance you want answered?

Some ideas I have so far:
- Investigating the differentiations of power characteristic in mechanical and electrical water pumps (finding optimal power character through radiator hose diameter, coolant type, hose routing, pump size)
- Investigating the effectiveness of oil coolers and optimizing performance (oil type, cooler size, radiator/cooler ratios)
- Variations between popular race fuels, pump (non-ethanol), E10 and AVGAS. Optimizing each combination
- Ideal lubricants for various chain types for off-road applications
- Comparing the effectiveness of various flagship neck braces, knee braces and helmets

Edited:Took out the 4 satire ideas because Vital's gonna Vital
KennyT wrote:
You’re too intelligent for this place. Best of luck on your thesis
profeshenal125 wrote:
I,m not too sure about that. The time it takes too just prep bikes is nutty, like greasing linkage, installing a rad valve since you hv...
I,m not too sure about that. The time it takes too just prep bikes is nutty, like greasing linkage, installing a rad valve since you hv the sub frame off and tank . Might as we’ll grab the new coil and iKat off the other bike, get the radiators off and polish them, change anti freeze, Jetting There’s few hrs I had the spring and plastic part for the needle go flying 6 times wed. Haha then throw in 2 vehicles switching parts ovr, etc 3 shop apts a week. I get up at 6am and work and go until 1am everyday. Not even close to being done. Throw in a few hrs of pt on the body. For now fuel testing is easy for a stock engine I drive to a pump and fill 2 6 gal cans of 110 leaded. Once modded I hv to order it from a shop and hope that it came in, more time. When my suspension comes in there’s more testing. Testing a bike I,ve owned b4 will b much easier. Basically I will hv 1 of the best setups for a cr125.
You entertain me more than you can imagine! Have a great day and stay safe out on those roads 👍
2
1
murph783
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CT US
murph783 6/2/2022 2:03pm
6/2/2022 2:03pm
The helmet/neck/knee brace thing needs to happen. But I’d be very interested in fuels too
1
deanwhite51
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Sydney AU
deanwhite51 6/2/2022 6:05pm
6/2/2022 6:05pm
Yamahas reversed motor vs "normal" motor
mingham97
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AU
mingham97 6/2/2022 7:40pm
6/2/2022 7:40pm
murph783 wrote:
The helmet/neck/knee brace thing needs to happen. But I’d be very interested in fuels too
I completely agree. There are obviously independent bodies that perform these tests but no real information or even videos are released on the testing. In Australia you can search your car model into the ANCAP website and it will show footage of your vehicle in different accidents. We don’t have this type of clarity in our sport.

I think leatt did a literature/statistical review but we know that a correlation is not a relationship. Ofcourse the statistics show that less people get neck/spinal injuries when wearing a neck brace as most of the people that are wearing a neck brace are safety conscious and would be less likely to hurt themselves anyway.

I think safety equipment effectiveness would be a good investigation if the major manufacturers were able to provide enough samples, otherwise it would be too expensive. Maybe a vitalmx gofundme is in order 🤣
mingham97
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mingham97 6/2/2022 7:41pm
6/2/2022 7:41pm
deanwhite51 wrote:
Yamahas reversed motor vs "normal" motor
This would be unreal. Even a simple CFD model would be awesome
sumdood
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sumdood 6/2/2022 10:00pm
6/2/2022 10:00pm Edited Date/Time 6/2/2022 10:00pm
What's the real world difference (if any) in power delivery between running 13-49 vs 14-52 gearing ? Does the motor work harder to turn the larger sprockets with 14-52 gearing ? And if so would it affect the power delivery ? Would 14-52 make for a smoother power delivery over 13-49 due to having to turn larger sprockets and slightly longer chain ? Even though the final gear ratio is roughly the same ?
Last Braaap
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Last Braaap 6/2/2022 10:06pm
6/2/2022 10:06pm
And the contents of Davi's locker will still be a mystery even after this thread. Blink
1911
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1911 6/2/2022 11:03pm
6/2/2022 11:03pm
lestat wrote:
Seat bounce …. How does it work
And strobe lights

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