Electric Start Absence: Motogp's Unique Manual Starters Explained

MotoGP bikes don't have electric starters, batteries, alternators, or lights. This is because weight is the enemy of high-speed racing vehicles, and removing these features saves more than 16kg, improving the power-to-weight ratio by 60%. For every 10 pounds in weight reduction, the power-to-weight ratio improves by 5.5%. MotoGP bikes only need to be started once, before the race, using a paddock starter.

MotoGP bikes don't have electric starters to save weight, which improves the power-to-weight ratio and the bike's performance

MotoGP bikes don't have electric starters because they are trying to save weight. Weight shedding is a critical activity for the engineering team, as it improves the power-to-weight ratio and, therefore, the bike's performance. Saving just a few pounds of weight can help a racing bike accelerate faster.

The weight of a MotoGP bike is carefully managed and monitored. For every ten pounds in weight reduction, the power-to-weight ratio improves by a factor of 0.04, which is an increase of 5.5%.

A starter motor on its own weighs a couple of kilograms, but you also need to incorporate a clutch mechanism and gear train, make room on the crankshaft for all of this, and have a battery capable of turning the engine over. MotoGP bikes only need to be started once, before the race, using a paddock starter.

They only need to be started once, before the race, using a paddock starter

MotoGP bikes don't have electric starters because they only need to be started once, before the race, using a paddock starter. This is very different from your conventional motorcycle, which will normally feature an electric starter.

Weight is the enemy of high-speed racing vehicles, particularly smaller ones such as MotoGP bikes. Weight shedding is a critical activity of the engineering team because it improves the power-to-weight ratio and, therefore, the bike's performance. For every ten pounds in weight reduction, the power-to-weight ratio improves by a factor of 0.04, which is an increase of 5.5%. The vehicle's weight is a carefully managed metric in all modern racing disciplines.

Removing the starter, along with the clutch mechanism, gear train, and crankshaft adaptations, saves more than 48 lbs (16 kg) and causes a 60% improvement in the power-to-weight ratio.

The electrics on a MotoGP bike are called a "Total Loss" system. Although no charging system is used, a battery is run to power critical systems (ECU, TC, etc.). At the end of a race, the battery pack (similar in size to an RC car battery) is more or less discharged.

The engineering team focuses on weight shedding, which is critical to the bike's performance

The engineering team focuses on weight shedding, which is critical to the bikes performance. Weight is the enemy of high-speed racing vehicles, particularly the smaller ones such as MotoGP. For every ten pounds in weight reduction, the power-to-weight ratio improves by a factor of 0.04, which is an increase of 5.5%. The vehicle’s weight is a carefully managed metric in all modern racing disciplines.

Weight shedding is a critical activity of the engineering team because it improves the power-to-weight ratio and, therefore, the bike’s performance. MotoGP bikes don’t have starters, batteries, lights (other than a single brake light on the back), indicators, a side stand, exhaust muffler or brake lights. Removing these from a MotoGP bike saves more than 48 lbs. (16kg) and has the effect of causing a 60% improvement in the power-to-weight ratio.

The starter motor itself is about a couple of kg, but you also need to incorporate a clutch mechanism and gear train, make room on the crankshaft for all of this, and have a battery capable of turning the engine over. MotoGP bikes only need to be started once, before the race, using a paddock starter.

MotoGP bikes don't have batteries, alternators, or indicators

Weight is the enemy of high-speed racing vehicles, particularly smaller ones like MotoGP bikes. For every 10 pounds in weight reduction, the power-to-weight ratio improves by 5.5%.

The electrical systems of MotoGP bikes are called a "Total Loss" system. Although no charging system is used, a small battery is run to power critical systems. At the end of a race, the battery pack is more or less discharged.

MotoGP bikes also don't have mirrors because of safety, practicality, and drag. Mirror glass can easily break, posing a hazard. Since riders' heads are constantly changing position, there is no practical place to mount mirrors.

Additionally, the coverage of MotoGP races is live from cameras at every vantage point, so mirrors are not necessary for riders to see behind them.

The starter motor, clutch mechanism, gear train, and crankshaft all add weight to the bike

MotoGP bikes don't have electric starters because they are trying to save weight. Weight shedding is a critical activity for the engineering team because it improves the power-to-weight ratio and, therefore, the bike's performance. For every ten pounds in weight reduction, the power-to-weight ratio improves by a factor of 0.04, which is an increase of 5.5%. The starter motor, clutch mechanism, gear train, and crankshaft all add weight to the bike. Removing these from a MotoGP bike saves more than 48 lbs (16 kg) and has the effect of causing a 60% improvement in the power-to-weight ratio. Weight is the enemy of high-speed racing vehicles, particularly the smaller ones such as MotoGP. MotoGP bikes only need to be started once, before the race, using a paddock starter.

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