Re: [diesel_mercedes] O.T. : Moto Physics

Shucks - we retired paper boys know all that stuff. And, as a past skate boarder (tried it once) who bounced onto his ample bum in the kitchen, I can also verify that 250 pounds hitting the deck is a lkot different than my paperboy weight of 100 pounds - I think it is part of Isaac Newton's apple dropping business.

brian


Jeff Fennema <jeffcosmo@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Prolly was an old fart like me ~ when first I read of this in MCN
> magazine , I said ' Bullshyte ! ' ~ then I tried it and Lo ! it works
> like a charm , I'd been doing it all along and just didn't understand
> the Physics involved ..
>
T'was an older gentleman, true...
The physics are simple, once you get your head wrapped 'round 'em. The
average (read all) motorcycle has it's centre of gravity somewhere above
ground, usually some couple of feet. That's why most fall down without some
form of support. Now, when riding, that 'support' is the input from the
rider and the gyroscopic force from the rotating wheels. Rider input is in
two forms - leaning and moving the handlebars. Leaning is not too effective
on a bike weighing 500 pounds or more, but it is how many riders steer,
they're just unaware of it.
Moving the handlebars is much more effective, but you need to be aware of
what you are doing to effect the appropriate response.
The technique called counter-steering is the way bikes are turned 'round a
bend, and it works thusly: When you push on the right bar, the wheel twists
to the left (solid connection twixt 'bar and wheel, we hope...). However,
the bike leans to the right, and thus turns right. Why?? Turning the wheel
to the left moves the contact of the tyres to the left of the bike, in
effect moving the lower portion of the bike's weight to the left. Since the
centre of gravity is high, this makes the bike lean right. Think of you on a
skateboard (think of it, don't DO it!!). Now, whilst looking forward,
suppose someone kicks the board forward as well. You land on your bum, no??
That's because your centre of gravity is also high (loss of hair does not
lower the centre appreciably, I know by personal experience).
Those are the basic physics of steering a motorcycle. Works the same on a
bicycle, but harder to tell, as leaning a 17 pound bicycle is slightly more
effective than the same lean effort on a Gold Wing...even with empty bags...

Jeff

brian from la verne, ca

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