Easy Riders Official Emissions Certification Global Challenge Ricardo Celebrates 100 Years with an Ambitious Round-The-World Relay RQ Extract: Q4 2015

Ricardo Motorcycle Conference 7.0

RicardoFeature heading Quarterly Review Q4 2015

Interview: John Fuerst Delphi’s vice president of powertrain engineering Real driving A focus on the latest in technology, innovation and sustainability emissions How on-road measurement can bring credibility to Easy riders official emissions certification Global challenge Ricardo celebrates 100 years with an ambitious round-the-world relay RQ extract: Q4 2015

Easy RideRs The cruiser motorcycle phenomenon has always been hard for non-US bike manufacturers to crack. Ricardo Motorcycle gives crucial insights into what makes a cruiser irresistible to the American enthusiast Cruiser motorcycles Cruiser motorcycles

Penetrating the big-capacity cruiser motorcycle market is something that bike manufacturers from outside the United States have traditionally found very difficult to achieve. But now the team at Ricardo Motorcycle has the know-how to help develop cruisers which American leisure motorcyclists will find irresistible. Jesse Crosse reports.

Several nations specialize in fine- considerable commercial opportunity handling sports bikes, other countries for global motorcycle manufacturers – have acknowledged expertise in rugged yet this is a market that has historically adventure bikes to tackle deserts and proven formidably difficult for outsiders trails; still more are masters in the art of to crack. making commuter mounts for traffic- For proof of how popular the cruiser clogged cities. But when it comes market is in the US, look no further than to heavyweight continent-crossing Sturgis, a small town located in Meade cruisers, laden with ornate equipment County, South Dakota. Sturgis is fairly and creature comforts, there is only one typical of its type, a mountain town and country with true credibility – the USA. ranch community sitting in the border The cruiser is uniquely American in lands between the Black Hills and the its origin – relaxed and comfortable, prairie. During most weeks of the year, with languorous power delivery and visitors driving through might find it oozing style. Its roots are set deep unremarkable. It has a population of in the heart of middle America and it just under 7000 and its fair share of represents a style of motorcycling stores, churches, restaurants and bars. that has endured from the 1930s to But in the first full week of August each this day. As such, it also represents a year, this small Midwestern community Easy 10 RQ • Q4 • 2015 RideRs RQ • Q4 • 2015 11 Cruiser motorcycles Cruiser motorcycles

Ricardo Motorcycle

undergoes a startling metamorphosis. focused – cruisers generally offer less on steeply banked wooden-boarded The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the performance, reduced cornering ability, circuits and for a time became the biggest of its kind in the world and and inferior low-speed manoeuvrability. highest-paid professional athletes, is remarkable not least because in Above all others, the air-cooled drawing the largest crowds in America. 2015 it swelled the population of the V-twin became the favourite engine Wall of Death riders defied gravity town to 790,000 in just a couple of configuration for both pre-war and and the unthinkable, blasting around days. First held in 1938, the economic post-war American-built motorcycles; vertical cylindrical walls to the delight of benefit the Rally brings to the State even from the very early days, large spectators. annually is around $800 million. The capacity engines, some as large as 1300 Outside sport and shows, sheer magnitude of the event serves to cc (79 cu in), were not uncommon. motorcycles became extensions of the define something else too: the scale of It is this engine configuration which rider’s personality, both a character America’s love for the motorcycle and presents one of the biggest challenges, statement and a fashion statement the many different forms that takes. a challenge which Ricardo Motorcycle is at the same time. Post-war, cruisers especially well equipped to meet. served as raw material for returning Distinctive in every sense Understanding the cruiser’s GIs in search of cheaper modes of Cruisers are a distinctive breed, with heritage helps explain why it is so transport. The GIs kept wartime Harley- a feet-forward, back-upright riding tough for a foreign nameplate to take Davidson and Indian motorcycles position; they are focused on delivering on the US domestic manufacturers going as best they could, stripping off an easy, relaxed riding experience with at their own game. From the 1920s damaged or broken components and smooth shifting and lots of low-end onwards, motorcycle enthusiasts replacing only those that were really torque taking precedence over high customised, raced and performed needed. Pretty soon, a new stripped- power. Providing such an easy style stunts on motorcycles while other back style of bike evolved: known as the of riding is not without its drawbacks, riders just enjoyed them for transport bobber, this style saw key components “Cruisers are a distinctive breed, with a however, and in comparison with other and leisure. From around 1910 until like the frame, forks and engine remain feet-forward, back-upright riding position; more conventional motorcycles – the Great Depression in the 1930s, intact but the rest would be cut back, whether touring, sports or off-road ‘board trackers’ raced their bikes customised or removed altogether. they are focused on delivering an easy, From Bobber to Chopper relaxed riding experience with smooth In the 1960s the Chopper evolved, like shifting and lots of low-end torque taking the Bobber but with ‘chopped,’ modified frames and long, extended forks. A precedence over high power” vocabulary evolved around them too, like “sissy bars” for the high backrests or “ape hangers” for the impossibly tall the sturgis By the 1980s foreign manufacturers during that time an array of styles have sensitivity; we understand the minute and sculpted handlebars. The chopper Motorcycle Rally (left) had already identified the scale of the evolved. The type of customer has details that are important to buyers, is the biggest of its was immortalised in the film “Easy kind in the world and potential business. By the late 1990s evolved too, one of the latest being the and that’s important,” he says. One Rider” and became such an iconic style demonstrates the cruisers would account for 60 percent ‘weekend warrior’ – someone who may of Wright’s prime recommendations of motorcycle that manufacturers renaissance of the us of the US motorcycle market and the spend weekdays toiling in the office to European or Asian manufacturers motorcycle market. began producing their own, albeit less the multi-award trend has continued – yet for a new and who at weekends wants to escape developing a product for the US cruiser extreme, ready-to-ride versions. winning Indian scout motorcycle product to succeed, it has the rat race and take to the open road. market is to make use of American test Throughout the 1940s, 1950s motorcycle (above) a lot to live up to. Function is taken as a To that customer, the motorcycle is a riders during development, to be sure was the subject and 1960s the American motorcycle of a successful given in today’s hi-tech society, but an panacea for the stress of modern life, of achieving the right feel and riding evolved into an art form and one that is collaboration authentic heritage ‘look’, with desirable an extension of personality, a style icon experience in the finished result. deeply rooted in the country’s history between Ricardo and accessories and the right handling and fashion accessory whose aesthetic The development of high-quality Vepro predating the and culture. During that time, a reversal formation of Ricardo feel, is the true key. A cruiser can be a appeal must hit the spot exactly to be accessories good enough to tempt took place, from form following function Motorcycle (see also practical tool but, more importantly, it successful. even the diehard enthusiast should to the opposite, of function following box on page 14) must be the stuff of legend. Neil Wright, former Vepro founder also be high on the agenda: Wright form. A cruiser can be as practical or and managing director, and now Head believes these equipment lines form impractical as the owner wants, from Cruisers: a 100-year of the Ricardo Motorcycle UK business a substantial chunk of the profit a no-nonsense style icon to touring heritage unit, explains the intricacy of delivering centre for manufacturers of a cruiser. ‘baggers’ equipped with elaborate Thus the cruiser’s heritage can be products that the market will consider “We would never consider starting a luggage pods or side bags. traced back almost 100 years, and authentic. “We offer geographical project without a full definition of the

12 RQ • Q4 • 2015 RQ • Q4 • 2015 13 Cruiser motorcycles Cruiser motorcycles

Ricardo Motorcycle

Ricardo Motorcycle was formed in 2014 to build on the success of Ricardo’s existing motorcycle division with the acquisition of uK consultancy Vepro Ltd. the new business unit also includes a Memorandum of understanding with the Italian firm exnovo srl, taking the headcount of the group to nearly 130 people. with its unique skill set, Ricardo Motorcycle can offer the specialised expertise needed to handle full motorcycle design and development programmes. Vepro and Ricardo previously gained extensive experience in the us cruiser motorcycle market working together on iconic brands like excelsior Henderson, Victory Motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and Indian Motorcycles, since acquired by Polaris. these are some of the greatest names in cruiser motorcycles, names which actually defined the genre. undergoes a startling metamorphosis. focused – cruisers generally offer less on steeply banked wooden-boarded The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the performance, reduced cornering ability, circuits and for a time became the biggest of its kind in the world and and inferior low-speed manoeuvrability. highest-paid professional athletes, is remarkable not least because in Above all others, the air-cooled drawing the largest crowds in America. 2015 it swelled the population of the V-twin became the favourite engine Wall of Death riders defied gravity town to 790,000 in just a couple of configuration for both pre-war and and the unthinkable, blasting around days. First held in 1938, the economic post-war American-built motorcycles; vertical cylindrical walls to the delight of benefit the Rally brings to the State even from the very early days, large spectators. annually is around $800 million. The capacity engines, some as large as 1300 Outside sport and shows, sheer magnitude of the event serves to cc (79 cu in), were not uncommon. motorcycles became extensions of the define something else too: the scale of It is this engine configuration which rider’s personality, both a character America’s love for the motorcycle and presents one of the biggest challenges, statement and a fashion statement the many different forms that takes. a challenge which Ricardo Motorcycle is at the same time. Post-war, cruisers especially well equipped to meet. served as raw material for returning Distinctive in every sense Understanding the cruiser’s GIs in search of cheaper modes of Cruisers are a distinctive breed, with heritage helps explain why it is so transport. The GIs kept wartime Harley- a feet-forward, back-upright riding tough for a foreign nameplate to take Davidson and Indian motorcycles position; they are focused on delivering on the US domestic manufacturers going as best they could, stripping off an easy, relaxed riding experience with at their own game. From the 1920s damaged or broken components and smooth shifting and lots of low-end onwards, motorcycle enthusiasts replacing only those that were really torque taking precedence over high customised, raced and performed needed. Pretty soon, a new stripped- power. Providing such an easy style stunts on motorcycles while other back style of bike evolved: known as the of riding is not without its drawbacks, riders just enjoyed them for transport bobber, this style saw key components “Cruisers are a distinctive breed, with a however, and in comparison with other and leisure. From around 1910 until like the frame, forks and engine remain feet-forward, back-upright riding position; more conventional motorcycles – the Great Depression in the 1930s, intact but the rest would be cut back, whether touring, sports or off-road ‘board trackers’ raced their bikes customised or removed altogether. they are focused on delivering an easy, From Bobber to Chopper relaxed riding experience with smooth In the 1960s the Chopper evolved, like shifting and lots of low-end torque taking the Bobber but with ‘chopped,’ modified frames and long, extended forks. A precedence over high power” vocabulary evolved around them too, like “sissy bars” for the high backrests or “ape hangers” for the impossibly tall the sturgis By the 1980s foreign manufacturers during that time an array of styles have sensitivity; we understand the minute and sculpted handlebars. The chopper Motorcycle Rally (left) had already identified the scale of the evolved. The type of customer has details that are important to buyers, is the biggest of its was immortalised in the film “Easy kind in the world and potential business. By the late 1990s evolved too, one of the latest being the and that’s important,” he says. One Rider” and became such an iconic style demonstrates the cruisers would account for 60 percent ‘weekend warrior’ – someone who may of Wright’s prime recommendations of motorcycle that manufacturers renaissance of the us of the US motorcycle market and the spend weekdays toiling in the office to European or Asian manufacturers motorcycle market. began producing their own, albeit less the multi-award trend has continued – yet for a new and who at weekends wants to escape developing a product for the US cruiser extreme, ready-to-ride versions. winning Indian scout motorcycle product to succeed, it has the rat race and take to the open road. market is to make use of American test Throughout the 1940s, 1950s motorcycle (above) a lot to live up to. Function is taken as a To that customer, the motorcycle is a riders during development, to be sure was the subject and 1960s the American motorcycle of a successful given in today’s hi-tech society, but an panacea for the stress of modern life, of achieving the right feel and riding evolved into an art form and one that is collaboration authentic heritage ‘look’, with desirable an extension of personality, a style icon experience in the finished result. deeply rooted in the country’s history between Ricardo and accessories and the right handling and fashion accessory whose aesthetic The development of high-quality Vepro predating the and culture. During that time, a reversal formation of Ricardo feel, is the true key. A cruiser can be a appeal must hit the spot exactly to be accessories good enough to tempt took place, from form following function Motorcycle (see also practical tool but, more importantly, it successful. even the diehard enthusiast should to the opposite, of function following box on page 14) must be the stuff of legend. Neil Wright, former Vepro founder also be high on the agenda: Wright form. A cruiser can be as practical or and managing director, and now Head believes these equipment lines form impractical as the owner wants, from Cruisers: a 100-year of the Ricardo Motorcycle UK business a substantial chunk of the profit a no-nonsense style icon to touring heritage unit, explains the intricacy of delivering centre for manufacturers of a cruiser. ‘baggers’ equipped with elaborate Thus the cruiser’s heritage can be products that the market will consider “We would never consider starting a luggage pods or side bags. traced back almost 100 years, and authentic. “We offer geographical project without a full definition of the

12 RQ • Q4 • 2015 RQ • Q4 • 2015 13 Cruiser motorcycles Cruiser motorcycles

motorcycles to allow accurate Case history: the rebirth of the Indian Motorcycle comparisons and the setting of objectives for the first concept. Ricardo Motorcycle’s more recent experience of the competitor benchmarks using proven CAD schemes also make it possible in the cruiser market dates back to the 1990s, Ricardo analytical and test techniques. to evaluate components for cost, and in 2003 Vepro and Ricardo were engaged the intake and exhaust systems were complexity, manufacturing processes to work on a new cruiser platform from which carefully developed with the emphasis and their good and bad design points. the “Indian spirit” would be launched for the on acoustic quality. Ricardo acoustic Detailed studies follow on basic 2006 model year. two versions of the spirit development techniques played a major part packaging, volumes and location for were to be powered by all-new 1667 cc, in honing this crucial aspect of the brand tanks and airbox as well as exhaust 55 degree V-twin engine driving through a character and an expert ‘listening panel’ routing and the positioning of other key six-speed gearbox and belt drive. unusually, provided experienced subjective opinion. components. the technical development of the engine the parent company of the Indian brand With the groundwork exhaustively went hand-in-hand with a powertrain styling went into Chapter 11 before the spirit could covered, it is time to establish the exercise, something that was considered be launched, but in 2011 Vepro and Ricardo architecture and spatial relationships. crucial to the bike’s success. were again asked to help with the rebirth of Defining the vehicle layout is one of the programme included detailed the brand by its new owner, Polaris. the bike together on another Polaris brand, Victory the most exciting stages of designing analysis with full vehicle and powertrain in question was the Indian scout, winner of Motorcycles. the successful working a cruiser, because at that point the benchmarking, and with the focus on brand the Best Cruiser in both the Cycle world ‘ten partnership between the two companies bike literally starts to take shape. value, styling and design. the Ricardo- Best Bikes’, and the 2015 Motor Cycle News in these and other projects spanning more The biggest priority at this stage is developed V-twin concept underwent full Awards, with MCN particularly praising the than a decade is what eventually led to the to evaluate aesthetic and market performance simulation and port design: free-revving V-twin engine and build quality. acquisition of Vepro by Ricardo to form appeal, as well as functionality, this included modelling and test validation Vepro and Ricardo also worked Ricardo Motorcycle. service considerations, durability and manufacturability. Above all though, the key to developing a successful cruiser is to accessories planned for it,” he explains. to overhead camshaft types, so the understand its cultural significance “Overseas manufacturers have appearance of the cam cover, heads and the emotion that lies behind the traditionally developed cruisers back at and barrels is crucial. A long primary hardware. The DNA of the genuine base, then contracted US companies drive is preferable. Engine management article is something the people at to develop accessories afterwards. and electrical systems need to cope Ricardo Motorcycle have spent more That approach can result in a lack of with plenty of low speed work, as well as than two decades unravelling. They integrated feel and there are frequently the addition of accessories like straight have a deep understanding of what it fit and finish issues which buyers are through pipes and aftermarket air takes to develop a successful cruiser sensitive to. Our approach is to develop filters. Gear ratios are important; a low and, with the massive engineering accessories as part of the programme, first gear ratio is essential for parade expertise of Ricardo to draw on, the achieving perfect integration of style work and there must be a belt-driven teams are looking forward to helping and colour matching of components.” final drive, never a shaft. others develop many more great The list of style-related ‘must-have’ American motorcycles in the future. New products: look, sound features is not endless but it is certainly and feel before technology long. That does not mean that good- When contemplating designing a quality engineering no longer counts, but new product from scratch, Wright is the balance between form and function adamant about the best approach: “It’s is quite different to what it might be for the importance of sound time to throw out the engineering rule a utilitarian scooter designed for a life book,” he says. “In this market, styling of commuting. So rigorous engineering A cruiser’s character comprises a complex sound files are used to make subjective and character rule. The engine look, practice must still be followed, beginning blend of attributes, one of which is the noise it judgements and this approach has the sound and feel is far more important with a full and detailed programme makes. “sound quality is subjective,” explains advantage of excluding other factors that may than the technical specification. Show of benchmarking including road and Matt Maunder, Ricardo technical specialist, influence a road tester such as appearance, off engineering, but prioritise it over dynamometer testing. powertrain noise and vibration. “People have feel, smell or touch. ‘Blind’ evaluations of the styling at your peril.” an expectation of the way a product should sound files (to ensure there’s no subliminal With cruisers, the normal sign- Listen to competitors sound based on their cultural awareness of it. brand-related bias) are made by a panel of off criteria for combustion stability, All aspects of key competitors’ “If we want to engineer to meet those expert listeners made up from the staff of both gear shift quality, vibration and other engines are analysed, including NVH expectations then there are some additional the client and Ricardo Motorcycle. A sound similar parameters take on a different performance, thermal performance steps required over and above what would be quality target is benchmarked against around perspective. Firing angle is critical to and sound quality. Vehicle performance done in a normal engineering programme,” six bikes, and the panellists score the sounds achieve the ‘right’ sound. Cooling is benchmarking includes a full dynamic continues Maunder. “one of those would be the on a scale of one to 10, each describing their critical not just for full power, but for and performance evaluation taking subjective evaluation of sounds by riding bikes, emotional responses in terms of feel and style. ‘parade duty’ where the engine idles or in handling and brakes, an ergonomic but there are disadvantages to that because Ricardo’s wAVe software is used to predict target sounds. wAVe is also used to develop runs at low speed for extended periods. assessment for both rider and the rider is exposed to plenty of other factors the all-important exhaust noise, which forms the muffler system and to modify the sound Despite the obvious technical passenger, gear change evaluation, that can influence subjective judgement.” It’s a major part of a V-twin’s character. those to match the targets. this modelling phase challenges, air cooling should still be refinement and rider experience. After also impossible to evaluate machines back-to- predicted sounds can also be played back can involve hundreds of iterations, of which considered over liquid cooling. Buyers that, performance and dynamic targets back when a new project is still at the concept to the panel and assessed subjectively, as perhaps two or three will be built and fitted to rate it as an authentic feature, along are set for the new product. stage and no hardware exists, he notes. well as being compared directly with the production motorcycles. with large displacements of up to 1800 cc. Benchmarking includes producing The market prefers pushrod engines CAD schemes of competitor

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14 RQ • Q4 • 2015 RQ • Q4 • 2015 15 Ricardo UK Ltd Shoreham Technical Centre (Head Office) Shoreham-by-Sea West Sussex BN43 5FG UK T: +44 (0)1273 455611 E: [email protected]

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