English

The Physics of Motorcycles and Fast Bicycles : Lean, Stability and Counter-steering

Classical Physics 2016-11-15 v1

Abstract

In this work I will obtain the system of nonlinear equations that correctly describes the motion of motorcycles and fast bicycles (above 30 km/hr) for the first time in literature. I will use it to calculate the lean angle during a turn and prove that the motion of the vehicle is unconditionally stable at all operating speeds under consideration. I will then employ it to give a quantitative model of counter-steering - the phenomenon by which a turning mobike first goes the wrong way and then starts going the right way.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1611.03857,
  title  = {The Physics of Motorcycles and Fast Bicycles : Lean, Stability and Counter-steering},
  author = {B Shayak},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1611.03857},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

33 pages, 9 figures, no tables, 11601 word count