Steelrider

Ran across this paper that discusses the physics of steering bikes/motorcycles, thought some might be interested. You may stop at the mathematics, all may be of interest, none may be...to each his/her own. Enjoy.

Steering in bicycles and motorcycles

LordOpie

good stuff. Makes me want to take a course to improve skill.

galen_52657

I might print it out and read it during my next shiest...

There once was study by some English dudes who wanted to prove you could steer a bike by leaning. The welded the steering strait on a motorcycle. The rode it and tried to make it turn. No mater how much the rider leaned...it still went strait!

Then...they drank a pint...

Chorus_Girl

This and other interesting but perhaps counterintuitive things are discussed in a great motorcycling book called "A Twist of the Wrist". Can't remember the author, but if you're into motorcycles it's a must read.

Chad's Colnago

Keith Code I beleive wrote "A twist of the wrist".
I ride motorcycles quite a bit and am quite familiar with "countersteering". I countersteer all the time going into turns at the local track I take my motorcycle to. There are a lot of forces acting on a bike to keep it upright which is why countersteering is an effective tool to turn.

TandemGeek

Don't recall that one, but Keith Code created the "No B.S." bike (as in Body Steering) to prove the point:
https://www.superbikeschool.com/machi...bs-machine.php

TandemGeek

Don't recall that one, but Keith Code created the "No B.S." bike (as in Body Steering) to prove the point:
https://www.superbikeschool.com/machi...bs-machine.php

Keith Code has written several excellent books on motorcycle skills:
https://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcracin...ookreview.html

Thylacine

Don't forget Tony Foale (sp?) and his work on motorcycle dynamics.

Now, if only bikes were motorcycles....

Steelrider

...thennn, we'd all be a little heavier and riding motorcycles?!

TandemGeek

Perhaps, but the inference is that bicycles are not motorcycles and aside from the physics associated with having two wheels and countersteering, there's not much in the way of bike-handling skills that transfer from street/track motocycle to road bicycles. After all, with a motorcycle you've usually got a rider who weighs less than the bike he or she is riding whereas the adult cyclist usually outweighs their bicycle by 80 to 100+ pounds For example, while hanging your body and knee off the side of a motorcycle does a good job of lowering the center of gravity and making the bike corner well, it doesn't work so good on a bicycle where you basically do the opposite and put your body weight on the outside pedal when cornering. Well, and then there is that whole horsepower thing...