Bcomp, a Swiss cleantech materials innovator, has teamed up with leading Japanese composite specialist Tras to bring natural fibre composite solutions to the world of motorcycle racing. Building on previous successful collaborations in the luxury furniture and motorsports sectors, this marks the first venture into the racing bike industry as collaborators.
By combining joint expertise in composites and heritage in motorsports solutions, Tras and Bcomp are helping to further advance the pinnacle of motorcycle racing technology, pushing the limits of innovation, speed and competition.
Tras has been making the bodywork of Suzuki's MotoGP bikes for over 20 years, including manufacturing the full body of Suzuki's winning machine GSX-RR. This demo machine featured a natural fibre cowl made using Bcomp's cutting-edge materials.
The flax-based ampliTex™ and powerRibs™ composites offer a sustainable alternative to pure carbon parts — with up to 85% CO2 footprint reduction and viable end-of-life solutions — while also improving safety and reducing debris on track due to the ductile fracture behaviour of these innovative fabrics.
Most recently, Tras and Bcomp collaborated on the SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE racing motorbike for the FIM World Endurance Championship Suzuka 8 hours race. Tras used Bcomp's materials to create a natural flax fibre body and its flax composites to develop the front, rear fender and winglets of the motorbike.
Natsumi Nitta, General Manager at Tras: "This collaboration with Bcomp has enabled us to push the limits of MotoGP performance while utilising new sustainable technologies. The use of natural fibre has been a major turning point which is changing the status quo of the motorcycle racing industry."
Johann Wacht, Manager Business Development at Bcomp: "Teaming up with Tras' industry-leading composite experts has enabled us to demonstrate that ampliTex™ and powerRibs™ can push the limits of MotoGP, in performance as well as sustainability."
Source: www.bcomp.com
