The effect of motorcycle tyre rolling resistance coefficient on the saving of fuel consumption

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find the effect of motorcycle tyre rolling resistance coefficient on the saving of fuel consumption. Five motorcycle tyres on the market was selected to determine the rolling resistance coefficient according to ISO18164-2005. These tyres had rolling resistance coefficient of 8.9, 10.3, 11.4, 12.4 and 13.7 (N/kN) respectively. Each tyre was installed on the motorcycle and performed the test on a chassis dynamometer with the constant motorcycle speed of 50 kilometres per hour. The average fuel consumption from each tyre was 0.0202, 0.0206, 0.0211, 0.0215 and 0.0218 respectively. The higher rolling resistance coefficient tyre will increase the fuel consumption. With a 10% decrease in rolling resistance coefficient, the fuel consumption will decrease by approximately 1%. By using rolling resistance coefficient of 12.0, the total fuel saving potential in Thailand would be about 16.6 million litres per year.