Counter Steering

[egsols]

Who's balancing the RC bikes? The plastic rider or Mr. Cent Tri Fugal?

[ClarkGriswald]

The nice ones have gyro's I belive.

[Rhumba]

I see your point about the race bikes, however if gyroscopic forces are at play there, I would think the bike, leaned over at 45 degrees, would want to stay at 45 degrees, since a gyroscope fights all attempts at removing it from it's axis of rotation.

Perhaps gyroscopic forces have a more profound effect at the speeds they are traveling.

Maybe the bike rights itself from the front wheel and forks swinging from side to side seeking equilibrium.

A mystery!

[Ivan]

seeking equilibrium

Methinks that is what its all about.

[Montreux_Blue]

I'm more of a visual kind of person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C848R9xWrjc

[thewiz]

Good one, -Bluc

very interesting.

[TADracer]

I think it also involves the center of gravity of both the machine AND the rider/riders. Everything has a natural center of gravity and the wheels are acting as gyroscopes. The fork angle has alot to do with it and when you counter steer what you are actually doing is changing the center of gravity in relation to the gyroscopes of the wheels. Move one end of the handle bar and you move the fork which moves the center of gravity over a degree or two and the bike will lean and turn. And that is why if the rider falls off the force that is changing the center of gravity is removed and the bike can straighten up and keep going.

Since the rider is a big part of the location of the CG, it is important that the rider position himself before the counter steer begins and hold that position. That is why when you watch race riders they will move over the edge of the bike just before they actually go into the turn. They are moving the center of gravity in the direction of the turn before they add in the counter steer which makes the actual turn and this has the effect of actually lowering the CG of both the bike and rider which will allow a higher speed sharp turn. The lower the CG the less chance for a high side crash.

If you want to test it, go into a turn and then have a passenger change their body position mid way into the turn. It will upset your line every time.

[egsols]

Originally posted by TADracer

If you want to test it, go into a turn and then have a passenger change their body position mid way into the turn. It will upset your line every time.

I didn't want to test it, but some of my past passengers have!!

[Fddlefoot]

Center of Gravity

The bicycle is the best teacher there is for not only can you practice at low speed (much safer) your center of Gravity is much higher as normally you out weigh the bike you are on and after years of riding one up and down mountains got on motorcycle and it was not only natural but much to easy to go fast. Now only problem is getting on bicycle and keep looking for damn rear views.

[ClarkGriswald]

Plus the secret of center of gravity.. Ive been preaching this for a while now..

I will not own a bike that I cannot transfer my full body weight to the footpegs. In other words NO fake harleys or any other ones that you SIT on the bike with feet in front of you.. I come from MX and dirtbikes and such so thats just the way I ride..

Once you get off your bum the Center of Grav shifts from your seat to your foot pegs.. (much lower than someone sitting on the seat of a harley shaped bike where you cant really do that..

Same thing on a bicycle. When your on the seat it is in its worst handling mode.. as soon as you crouch or pick yourself off the seat your full weight is now on the pedal shaft.. only inches from the ground.. thats the secret to any difficult manuevering.

[Ivan]

I didn't want to test it, but some of my past passengers have!!

You don't have the three rules for riding b***h?

1. Mufflers are hot
2. Sit still
3. I can't hear you

[egsols]

You don't have the three rules for riding b***h?

Yes Ivan but they are,

1. Climb on
2. Shut up
3. Hold on