Cody Bower

Cody Bower analysing Motec telemetry and tuning the BMW RCK ECU in the ASBK Superbike paddock.

Bower Motorsport was founded on a singular philosophy: "Close enough" is, in fact, not good enough.

In the high-stakes environment of motorsport, where a mechanical failure or an unpredictable setup at speed quickly becomes a life-or-death situation, engineering must be precise and uncompromising. Because of this, every solution we provide must be rigorously validated by objective data, reverse engineering, and in-depth root cause analysis.

Led by Cody Bower, the company bridges the gap between traditional mechanical engineering, elite-level electronics package tuning, telemetry, and bespoke fabrication. From managing slip targets on 200+ horsepower Superbikes to engineering custom chromoly chassis components for high-performance automotive builds, Bower Motorsport operates where guesswork ends and precise, data-driven engineering begins.

Cody's journey didn't start in a university lecture hall; it was forged hands-on. Starting as an apprentice motorcycle mechanic, he developed a granular understanding of mechanical systems before moving into technical support. His relentless, insatiable hunger for technical knowledge drove continuous self-education, leveraging industry resources like High Performance Academy and validating theories through extensive hands-on application.

This foundation led to his role providing national technical support for the Australian Ohlins dealer network. Concurrently, as part of this role, he stepped directly into the highest tier of Australian motorcycle racing: the ASBK Superbike class.

During the 2023 and 2024 ASBK seasons, Cody provided data analysis, electronics tuning, and suspension setup for GT Racing and 3-time Australian Superbike Champion Glenn Allerton, campaigning the formidable BMW M1000RR.

In top-tier motorsport, poorly configured electronics can render a bike unrideable. Cody's role initially involved rescuing an erratic, unsafe traction control (TC) and engine braking package that the rider had disabled outright, as they felt they were unable to trust it and it was a liability to their safety. At these speeds, a rider must trust not only the electronic package but also the person managing it. Developing a foundation of mutual respect is paramount so the rider knows the data engineer will not make any changes that risk their safety.

By analysing GPS-based corner-by-corner data, Cody rebuilt the TC mapping. Rather than blunt power cuts, he calibrated precise slip targets, bringing the rear wheel into the optimal peak acceleration window for the specific Pirelli slicks utilized, keeping in mind that optimal slip targets constantly shift depending on the sport, vehicle, track surface, rider, and temperatures.

The Result: Consistent, predictable power delivery that restored the rider's trust. By managing exact slip ratios, tire degradation was drastically reduced, allowing the team to maintain critical lap times through the pivotal final laps of the race.

Similarly, Cody worked with the team to overhaul the Ohlins RSP and FKR suspension setups. By migrating away from excessively stiff spring rates, he restored critical mechanical grip without sacrificing high-speed stability.

Hands-on engineering: Applying mechanical and electronic setup changes to the BMW M1000RR.

Another core passion driving Bower Motorsport is the foundational process of reverse engineering. For Cody, it is about fully understanding how a part was originally conceived: why it was developed, how it functions mechanically, and how it can be improved. Whether the goal is to extract a minor efficiency gain or to completely overhaul and replace a component with a superior bespoke solution, reverse engineering is central to the problem-solving ethos of the business.

While much of his high-profile experience is rooted in the Superbike paddock, Cody's true passion encompasses all forms of motorsport, from drag racing and drifting to rally and circuit racing.

This is evident in his current personal project: a comprehensively modified Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo. The build features a built Barra engine, a custom-tuned plug-in ECU, and advanced motorsport solutions. Standing at 195cm tall, Cody utilized his self-taught 3D scanning and CAD design skills to engineer a bespoke seating solution. He designed a 58mm extended steering shaft adapter manufactured from chromoly via 3-axis CNC machining, along with a custom 3D-printed steering column shroud to match. This entire system was meticulously developed to look near OEM and be fully reversible.

This project reflects his broader interest in advanced automotive systems:

• ■Torque Model based ECUs and their interplay with wheel force based traction tuning and torque based shift strategies.
• ■Advanced Traction Control utilizing yaw, pitch, and roll rates.
• ■Motorsport ABS focusing on specific slip targets rather than standard production vehicle anti-lock behavior.
• ■Advanced Forced Induction strategies such as the use of cold side wastegates.

The decision to found Bower Motorsport was driven by a desire to bring this level of uncompromising engineering directly to the customer.

Having seen the limitations of corporate distribution models that prioritize volume over specialized support, Cody structured Bower Motorsport to be the antithesis. Whether you require reverse engineering, CAD design, 3D scanning, comprehensive data analysis, suspension tuning, or custom electronics creation like the OmniCAN gateway, you get start-to-finish support backed by objective proof.