SwRI: New Motorcycle Technology Capabilities

	SwRI tests both single-track vehicles and multi-track vehicles.

This page is dedicated to news-related developments in the motorcycle industry and to new motorcycle development capabilities of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI).

Motorcycle, Scooter & ATV Testing

Chassis Dynamometer Emissions & Performance

To measure transient emissions and conduct performance tests on a wide range of vehicles, SwRI has added a motorcycle, scooter and ATV variable inertia chassis dynamometer to its extensive facilities.

Vehicle Chassis Dynamometer Suitability

• Single-track vehicles

  • Motorcycles

  • Scooters

• Multi-track vehicles

  • 3-wheel (ATVs, scooters)

  • 4-wheel (ATVs, UTVs)

Chassis Dynamometer Specifications

• Low Inertia Dynamometer

SwRI?s motorcycle dynamometer can test vehicles with inertia as low as 153 kg (337 lb) and has six selectable inertia wheels in 10 kg (22 lb) increments to achieve a maximum inertia of 550 kg (1,210 lb). An auxiliary roll provides dual rear-wheel drive capability for ATVs.

• Max speed: 322 kph (200 mph)

• Max torque: 245 N-m (180 ft-lb)

• Roll diameter: 48.7 cm (19.85 in)

• High Inertia Dynamometer

	Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has added a motorcycle, scooter and ATV variable inertia chassis dynamometer to its extensive facilities.

Vehicles that require higher inertia may be tested on an automotive electric chassis dynamometer.

• Max speed: 322 kph (200 mph)

• Max torque: 4511 N-m (3,333 ft-lb)

• Roll diameter: 1.22 m (48 in)

• Capabilities of Both Dynamometers

• Speed-proportional cooling fan

• Instrumentation and data acquisition including temperature, pressure and A/F ratio

Test Capabilities

SwRI is able to conduct emissions testing over all major driving cycles specified by worldwide regulations.

• Driving Cycles

• US, Europe and Asia: UDDS, FTP-75, US06, ISO 6460, ECE40, ECE R40, NEDC, WMTC and IDC

• Emissions measurement: THC, CO, NOx, CO2, NMHC

• Coast-down speed for road-load derivation (constants A and C)

• Fuel Consumption Methods

• Carbon balance method per required regulations: CFR, WMTC, ISO 6460

• Volumetric and gravimetric measurements via external fuel cart with adjustable pressure supply

• Fuel Types

  	Vehicles that require higher inertia may be tested on an automotive electric chassis dynamometer.

• Gasoline

• Diesel

• Alternative fuels (e.g., ethanol blends up to E85 and gaseous fuels)

• Additional Capabilities

• Certification

• Calibration (ECU mapping)

• Benchmark testing

The Office of Automotive Engineering at Southwest Research Institute is an ISO 9000- and ISO 14000-certified facility.

For more information about motorcycle capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Suzanne Timmons, at satimmons@swri.org or (210) 522-2499 or Jim Carroll at jcarroll@swri.org or (210) 522-5015.