Problem
The previous "gas tank" fairing caused discomfort and design challenges, including:
Rider discomfort from knees hitting battery corners
Poor ergonomic seating position
Lack of a sleek, dynamic appearance
The redesign aimed to improve comfort, ergonomics, and aesthetics.
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The RIT Electric Vehicle Team (EVT) is a student-run organization founded in 2012, committed to promoting the practicality and sustainability of electric vehicles by designing and manufacturing electric motorcycles. The team provides students with hands-on opportunities to apply their academic knowledge across various disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, as well as industrial and graphic design. With subteams dedicated to specific aspects of motorcycle development—such as custom circuit design, battery management, firmware, and aesthetic design—EVT collaborates to push the boundaries of electric vehicle innovation.
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DEV1, short for Dirt Electric Vehicle 1, is RIT Electric Vehicle Team's (EVT) electric dirt bike. As part of EVT’s initiative to explore diverse applications of electric vehicle technology, DEV1 represents the team's foray into off-road electric motorbike design. Like their superbike projects, DEV1 challenges the team to apply their expertise in electrical, mechanical, and design engineering to develop a competitive and high-performance electric dirt bike, showcasing the versatility of electric vehicle technology in various environments.
Fairing Design Process Overview
Ideation
Ideated with sketches Vizcom renders.
CAD Modeling
Modeled fairings in Fusion 360 software using T-Splines.
CNC Milling
Used CNC milling to carve high-density polystyrene into a positive mold.
Vacuum Forming
Built a custom vacuum form platform to fit the fairing size then vacuum-formed the positives to create the fairing shells.
Finishing
Trimmed excess material to refine the shells into a precise left and right pair, ready for installation.
Physical Product
Livery Design
The livery, inspired by RIT's tiger mascot, features bold tiger stripes that cascade across the bike's matte black body, creating a dynamic contrast. Fierce tiger teeth on the front add a sense of ferocity, symbolizing the adventurous spirit of the riders. Sponsor logos are prominently displayed, highlighting the collaborative effort and innovation of the student engineers and designers.
