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A high performance, motorcycle engine is analyzed by using integrated experimental and computational methods. Test bench experiments provide a few gross engine performance parameters. Dynamic simulations provide gross engine performance parameters and a detailed description of basic phenomena. Modelling guidelines are briefly reviewed. The accuracy of the model is finally assessed through comparison of experimental and computational gross engine performance parameters.

The design of 4-stroke engines, complying with the new Motorcycle Road Racing World Championship regulations is discussed. Similarity rules and non dimensional parameters from a database on racing engines are used to define some general guidelines. More specific information about friction losses and combustion is derived from experiments, carried out on a 3-cylinder MotoGP prototype engine. These experiments provided the input needed to set up and validate a base model for 1D thermo-fluid-dynamic calculations. Engine simulation is employed for optimizing several design parameters. A comparison between the proposed methodology and a few design criteria presented in literature is made. Finally, the brake performances of some optimized engines are predicted.