QJ Motor joins CFMoto in exploring movable winglets on sports motorcycles

QJMotor appears to be following compatriot CFMoto into the world of active aerodynamics, with a newly published patent revealing a sports bike fitted with independently controlled movable winglets.

The machine shown in the patent, pictured above, looks strikingly similar to either the SRK 800 RR or SRK 921 RR, both of which are already sold in the UK with fixed aerodynamic winglets. Whether it is one of those models, though, is largely beside the point. The real story here is the technology that is bolted to the fairing.

Projecting from either side of the bike are two sizeable winglets with a swept-back design that closely mirrors those already fitted to QJMotor's sports bikes. According to the patent, however, these aren't static pieces of bodywork. Instead, they're linked to the bike's IMU, allowing them to move independently and alter the bike's aerodynamics in real time.

That opens up several interesting possibilities. In theory, the winglets could adjust individually to influence how quickly the bike tips into a corner, working similarly to an aircraft's ailerons. Whether that would prove to be an advantage on track, or simply introduce unwanted complexity and an unnatural feeling behind the bars, remains to be seen.

The more obvious application comes under heavy braking. Imagine you're approaching the end of Mugello's main straight at around 190mph. You sit up, grab a handful of brake and start banging down the gearbox for San Donato. As you do, both winglets rotate downwards, increasing aerodynamic drag while simultaneously generating extra downforce over the front wheel.

The added drag effectively acts like a miniature drogue chute, helping scrub off speed, while the increased load on the front tyre could allow the rider to brake harder before reaching the limit of grip.

The opposite could also happen under acceleration. Modern superbikes already rely on IMU-based wheelie control, fixed winglets and rider input to keep the front wheel on the tarmac. Each approach has its compromises, though, with the electronics often reducing engine power, while fixed winglets generate drag even when maximum downforce isn't needed.

A movable system could, at least in theory, provide extra downforce only when required before returning to a lower-drag position once the bike is stable. That could help riders accelerate harder without sacrificing as much straight-line performance.

Of course, that's still theoretical. Active winglets remain largely unproven outside factory development programmes, and there's little public evidence to show exactly how much lap time they might save compared with conventional fixed aero.

What is clear, though, is that QJMotor isn't alone in looking into this. CFMoto gave the public a glimpse of its own active aero ambitions when it unveiled the V4 SR-RR concept at EICMA last year, complete with winglets wiggled and wobbled all over the place during an on-stage presentation. It certainly did the job, with the CFMoto stand instantly awash with the world’s press and fans trying to catch a glimpse of the system.

If both manufacturers are convinced the technology has genuine advantages, active aerodynamics could become the next battleground in the superbike arms race. Whether riders would trust the system while riding on road and track is another question entirely.

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