CHOOSING YOUR FIRST RIDE AND MY INTRODUCTION

[Karen_Agusta]

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Hello I am new here my name is ... Karen Agusta .

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Because I know "just a little" about motorcycles and the fact that

An engine is essentially an air pump of a combustible mixture

Regarding air - it is not "sucked" or "pulled" into the engine

There are no little hands reaching out grabing air molecules

Air may only be pushed into an engine it is never pulled into one

The air pressure at sea level is 14.7 pounds per square inch

On the intake stroke carb and intake valve in the open position

The piston is travelling downward creating a void inside the engine

Thus there is an "empty space" being made inside the engines cylinder

The 14.7 PSI pressure on the opposite site of the carb and valve

PUSHES AIR into the empty space created by the downward travelling piston

Thus in order to increase the amout of air a given engine can pump

Its design must maximize airflow this is known as volumetric efficiency

Or the air pressure into the engine be increased via super or turbo charging

The same is true for a vacuum cleaner or any other such device air is pushed in

Another board asked me to write an article on purchasing your first bike

For the discussion I used motorcycle racing as the primary topic

That an understanding of the machine itself may thereby be obtained

Thus making selection the device best suited to your purposes easier ... Karen

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=yTgyBmdD4f4

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=7X08zELY-lo

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=6Mfwv_GwhFs

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=vURjSJi5Zjk

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=7x7lwPzayHI

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Moto GP / F1 Racing Engines

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Engine revolutions fourteen thousand rpm at starting line

Rider slips clutch out torque / not well at low rpm

Large drop in RPM as engine propels bike from start

Once motorcycle returns to proper rpm range

Must at all times be kept there by selecting correct gear

Usually between eight and fourteen thousand rpms

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=-NHEAxKGw8Y

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=btnOW31bg14

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As motorcycle begins to move it is held upright

This occurs at very low revolutions through gyroscopic precession

Imagine a bottle tied to a string you hold in your hand

The bottle and the end of the string is one inch above the ground

You begin to spin in a circle and as you do so the bottle rises

Once you are spinning fast you feel the tension rise upon the string

That is because the atoms in the bottle are being "thrown" away from you

The only reason the bottle remains is the strength of the string

Exceeds the tension the bottle applies to it however

Should you let go of the string or the string should break

The bottle will fly away ... this is what occurs in a motorcycle wheel

The only difference is that it occurs in a vertically instead of horizontally

Here as in discuss you have made yourself the axis about this the item processes

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=sEW1ZsSCVHE

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=IEwAry0GARw

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=8H98BgRzpOM

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=pF_SUvPAOSs

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To test this to the following ...

Get an old bicycle wheel

Put a bar through where the axle was

Use some duct tape on the bar to keep it centered

Have a friend spin the wheel fast as you hold it

Now try to turn the wheel to the left ... it does not

The wheels force shall alter direction and flip over

Here she is trying to turn the wheel to the left of right

When she does you shall see what occurs.

This is gyroscopic motion / inertia

What is important to realize here other than what you see

Is that these people are not "flipping the wheel over"

They are with their hands attempting to turn it to the left or right

The flipping to the side you see is the gyroscopes resistance to that

Thus is is important to remember a motorcycle is not a car

It is a system based upon two spinning gyroscopes

Therefore it reacts as one and must be driven that way

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=TSC6e2e5lQw

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=_VAavF8EJzw

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=eLRFsy0fOTE

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=YzgUiremOtw

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Directed forward rider pushes bars away from direction of turn

Wheels act as gyroscopes countersteering leans bike into turn

First Law of Motion: Body in motion persists in a straight line

unless compelled to change

This is one of the hardest for new riders

Also many riders are not taught this

And even experienced riders may argue this

However the fact remains to steer a bike to the left

You must push the handlebars to the right

To steer a motorcycle to the right

You must turn the bars to the left

This is not only important to turn at high speed

If you have a car coming at you from the right

And you are travelling over ten miles per hour

You must turn towards the object

If you own a bicycle find a hill and ride down it

Get the bike going fairly quick and very very gently

Turn the bars to the left and you will turn to the right

Or push on the left handgrip go left

I am including this to such a great degree

Because if you ride a bike you MUST understand this

In racing we use this to "throw the bike over hard"

This allows us to dive into a turn steeply

I am including this with some degree of intensity

There is also a myth that a motorcycle is turned by leaning

I do not recommend you try this unless you are an experienced rider

Even then you may dump your bike however as a demonstration

I one time leaned far to the left knee down and

By countersteering turned the bike to the right

Thus leaning is a part of turning but there is more to it

That is how the racer throws the bike into the turn so quickly

Because if you ride a motorcycle it may save your life one day

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=oVa2Ax-Dins

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=M1A7o-aXvqU

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=s8M_7fBR63Y

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=v5AmFGioYDg

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Ok so that is how the racer throws the bike down into the turn so quickly

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Braking = Kinetic Energy and thermodynamics

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From wikipedia

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The kinetic energy of an object is the extra energy which it possesses due to its motion. It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its current velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes. Negative work of the same magnitude would be required to return the body to a state of rest from that velocity.

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Friction is not a fundamental force, as it is derived from electromagnetic force between charged particles, including electrons, protons, atoms, and molecules, and so cannot be calculated from first principles, but instead must be found empirically. When contacting surfaces move relative to each other, the friction between the two surfaces converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, or heat.

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In other words energy was applied to accelerate the object

Thus energy must be applied to slow the object

In machinery we use frictional energy converting motion to heat

The kinetic energy of an object is the extra energy

Which it possesses due to its motion

The kinetic energy of a single object

Is completely frame-dependent (relative)

For example, a bullet racing by a non-moving observer

Has kinetic energy in the reference to frame of this observer

But the same bullet has zero kinetic energy to itself

Thus at steady speed the motorcycle applies zero kinetic energy to the rider

For the rider is not part of the same travelling system as the motorcycle

However this becomes a completely different situation

Slowing motorcycle from 200to 40 mph via brakes

frictional conversion of forward momentum / energy to heat using

Through the use of advanced ceramic materials

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=D8MsuFHlc54

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=m1dv_y_3EK0

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=L8pnaRpDU1A

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The idea in racing unlike in road riding is this

On the road you want to brake in a slow and smooth motion

Taking your time slowing the bike easily

In racing you want to brake as late as you possibly can

Hammer on the brakes and then get back on the throttle

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However there are severe issues in motorcycle braking

1: if you are hard in a turn braking will want to throw the bike over

2: This is called highsiding where the bike flips you over itself

3: Not too many braking examples however it is common in racing

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=KREIjnk6jTI

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=kGdU6ypYXD4

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Yet another issue is the independent front and rear brakes

Thus you must balance the force applied to both brakes perfectly

On the front brake if you apply it wrong and use

To much force and you shall go over the front wheel

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=ARdw0WrV_gE

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Or you shall put the wheel into a skid throwing you down

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However much more common is the rear wheel lock up

Though I do not have vids of that if you have ever seen

A motorcycle try to stop quickly and the rear wheel go everywhere

You see the read wheel slide all over ... the rider must counteract that

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=BZqXPhK_3LE

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=kfmWx0tYRV8

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=s0P3tYskn84

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=HBm_L5Xt780

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Also we do not have windshield wipers

Remember unlike on a car where you can stab the brakes

On a motorbike even in a panic or in a race

You must perfectly modulate the brakes or you will crash

You can easily crash through improper braking alone

Furthermore remember the ONLY thing keeping you upright

I gyroscopic precession. Thus should you lock up a wheel

Even at 60 MPG there is nothing keeping you upright at all

Therefore as the racer brakes they must do so perfectly

On both wheels in order to slow the bike correctly

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Centrifugal Force:

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As you turn certifugal force wants you to go to the outside of the turn

lean angle of the motorbike counteract the force pushing you to the outside

Here is where Chemistry comes into play for unlike the older days

Today the advanced compounds in the tires allow lean angles to 60

Degrees-Very fine line between optimum cornering and crashing

Outward and downward forward forces balanced precisely

You must consider the camber of the curve to determine speed

You must also know if it is a decreasing radius curve as well

One other common issue is called going wide on the turn

To lean a motorcycle hard over is frightening it feels like falling

So due to this fear to do not throw the bike over hard enough

By this choice you do not make the turn and you drift wide on the corner

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Hx7RvfukIG4

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=mTnKkdIfVXQ

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=cq9Ua5Tuw3Y

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=5wYD9SSBBNQ

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=sN3bD4U5yJ4

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=W16hsnIur1Y

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=QCg3BMGe52M

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=3aW01UaHyC4

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=7mHTzOskcQE

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Thus a motorcycle excellent example how physics work

A motorcycle at a constant speed

defined as "v" for velocity in motion

Is about to enter a level, circular, curve

The curve is defined a r for the radius of the curve

The radius r lean angle from the vertical position

Is approximated by the following relationship

First I shall need to explain theta ...

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Theta ... Theta is used When determining the measure of the angle in the work equation, it is important to recognize that the angle has a precise definition - it is the angle between the force and the displacement vector. An explanation would be applying a force to displace a motorbike up a hill to the top of the hill. A force is applied to a bike to displace it up the hill at constant speed. Say 30 MPH.

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Several incline angles are used progressively steeper thus you must increase the force to maintain 30 mph. However do not forget that the force is always applied parallel to the incline. And the displacement of the motorbike is also parallel to the incline as well. These are defined a F for force and D for displacement. Since F and d are in the same direction, the angle theta in the work equation is 0 degrees. For they are in a relationship of zero degrees to one another. Nevertheless you may wish to experienced the strong temptation to measure the angle of incline and use it in the equation. Do not do so because angle. It is defined as the angle between the force and the displacement vector.

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Next issue is the definition of Tangent

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Tangent is as follows ... a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle ... Tangent line to a curve at a given point is the straight line that "just touches" the curve at that point ... Tangent plane to a curve is the plane that contains

all the lines tangent to a specific point on a surface

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The equation for it is as follows

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tan (\theta) = \frac {v^2} {rg} where g is the acceleration due to gravity

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What this means is as follows ... the speed of the bike and the weight of the bike, the radius, displacement, and camber of the turn shall determine the amount you lean and balance the bike to thereby counteracting the centrifugul force trying to make you go wide on the turn allowing you (provided you do not exceed the frictional capability of the tires in doing so) to steer to the apex of the turn properly and set the bike for the next turn.

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Thus when people ask me what should my first bike be. Sure the common answers would be

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The Ninja 250r

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http://www.kawasaki.....ns.aspx?id=431

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The Suzuki Tu250

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http://www.suzukicyc....egory=standard

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The yamaha V Star250 (AN EXCELLENT BEGINNERS RIDE OF HIGH QUALITY AND BEAUTIFUL FINISH)

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http://www.starmotor....89/0/home.aspx

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The Honda 250 rebel

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http://powersports.h...2009/rebel.aspx

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However here shows how to ride your motorcycle as this person is doing ... taking an extremely common and well made street bike (the Ninja 250r which I plan to purchase and am already set up with the dealer to do) onto the track and showing what a little 250cc street bike can do when ridden by skilled riders ... on the track ... not on the street ...

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http://www.youtube.c...h?v=y2HnEld-z3Q

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Rubber Side Down

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Karen

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[barkwindjammer]

Welcome to the 'nut-house' Karen

O deer, wit we goat ear

[Vez]

Ey up, welcome to the forum.

Just have to say, its Newtons first Law of motion, i think the guy deserves some credit

Also,

tan (\theta) = \frac {v^2} {rg} where g is the acceleration due to gravity < Whats the "frac" ? and the r in (rg)?, radius x gravity doesn't seem right to me, i thought it was "mg" as in mass x gravity.

Just curious, i have only been studying physics for 2 years, so can you please explain a little better as i am very interested in any part relating to bikes.

Vez.

A little tip from me, writing in all CAPS is the Internet version of shouting

[Karen_Agusta]

Vez

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Someone who wants to discuss motorcycle physics. How wonderful

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For me it is more of the following issue ... I build vintage racing motorcycles ... Thus if I am biulding a Triton (A Triumph engine in a Norton frame) ... at a wet weight of 325 pounds ... with a 175 pound rider for a total of 500 hundred pounds ... I have built the motorcycle to achieve a top speed of 130 miles per hour. Alo while I agree with you that Newton does deserve credt I can not "count out" Kenny Roberts, John Surtees, Joey Dunlop or Eddie Lawson either

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http://www.ehow.com/how_4517200_calculate-kinetic-energy-joules.html

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http://www.ehow.com/how_4501654_calculate-kinetic-energy.html

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http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080620144923AAUmVeZ

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http://www.gcse.com/energy/ke2.htm

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_energy

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http://www.csgnetwork.com/kineticenergycalc.html

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Thus I need to be certain that the level of energy conversion to heat via friction applied by the braking system can take 383736 joules of kinetic energy from 135 mph to 20 mph in the fewest number of seconds for a decresing radius "J" bend turn ... Without exceeding the level of adhesion to the road provided by the tires I have chosen for the bike (my favorte by far being AVON tyres) ... Therefore this is not a question of tires but one of physics

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http://en.allexperts.com/q/Tires-2359/calculate-torque-tires.htm

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_resistance

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction

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This is why my primary concern in the restoration of any motorcycle is the integrity of the bearings, tires, forks, swingarm, chassis and brakes ... for it does little good to built a fast engine and then throw a wobbly chassis into a hard turn.

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Regarding your question concerning the use of Tan(theta)

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This is taken directly from ... http://forums.superbikeschool.com/index.php?showtopic=500

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One reason a motorcycle must lean into a turn is to counterbalance centrifugal force tending to highside it. With the motorcycle leaned over and going around a constant radius turn at a constant speed, the moment produced by centrifugal force and which tends to highside the bike is:

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mh = m * a * cmh * cos(theta)

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where m is mass (rider + bike), a is the lateral acceleration due to centrifugal force, cmh is the height of the center of mass, and theta is the lean angle from vertical.

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The moment produced by leaning, which tends to make it lowside is:

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ml = m * g * cmh * sin(theta)

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where g is acceleration due to gravity.

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The motorcycle is in equilibrium?neither highsiding nor lowsiding?when the highside and lowside moments balance out. The equation quickly simplifies:

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m * g * cmh * sin(theta) = m * a * cmh * cos(theta)

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a / g = sin(theta) / cos (theta) = tan(theta)

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In words, the lateral acceleration expressed in units of g, acceleration due to gravity, must equal the tangent of the lean angle.

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Lateral acceleration depends on speed v and turn radius r, so the lean angle can be expressed as a function of speed and turn radius:

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a = v^2 / r

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tan(theta) = v^2 / r*g

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Other excellent sites covering the dynamics of a Mototcycle Chassis

Very good reading ... especially the Wikipedia

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http://johnandbecci.info/Chassis_basics.html

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http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=13060

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http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcnuts/chassis.html

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_and_motorcycle_dynamics

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http://hippocampusphysics.blogspot.com/2009/12/centripetal-acceleration-banked-turn-no.html

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http://johnandbecci.info/Chassis_basics.html

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I hope this provides the answers you are seekng

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Rubber Side Down

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Karen

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Ey up, welcome to the forum.

Just have to say, its Newtons first Law of motion, i think the guy deserves some credit

Also,

tan (\theta) = \frac {v^2} {rg} where g is the acceleration due to gravity < Whats the "frac" ? and the r in (rg)?, radius x gravity doesn't seem right to me, i thought it was "mg" as in mass x gravity.

Just curious, i have only been studying physics for 2 years, so can you please explain a little better as i am very interested in any part relating to bikes.

Vez.

A little tip from me, writing in all CAPS is the Internet version of shouting

[Vez]

Vez

.

Someone who wants to discuss motorcycle physics. How wonderful

.

For me it is more of the following issue ... I build vintage racing motorcycles ... Thus if I am biulding a Triton (A Triumph engine in a Norton frame) ... at a wet weight of 325 pounds ... with a 175 pound rider for a total of 500 hundred pounds ... I have built the motorcycle to achieve a top speed of 130 miles per hour. Alo while I agree with you that Newton does deserve credt I can not "count out" Kenny Roberts, John Surtees, Joey Dunlop or Eddie Lawson either

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http://www.ehow.com/...rgy-joules.html

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http://www.ehow.com/...tic-energy.html

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http://answers.yahoo...20144923AAUmVeZ

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http://www.gcse.com/energy/ke2.htm

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http://en.wikipedia..../Kinetic_energy

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http://www.csgnetwor...energycalc.html

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Thus I need to be certain that the level of energy conversion to heat via friction applied by the braking system can take 383736 joules of kinetic energy from 135 mph to 20 mph in the fewest number of seconds for a decresing radius "J" bend turn ... Without exceeding the level of adhesion to the road provided by the tires I have chosen for the bike (my favorte by far being AVON tyres) ... Therefore this is not a question of tires but one of physics

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http://en.allexperts...orque-tires.htm

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http://en.wikipedia....ling_resistance

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction

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This is why my primary concern in the restoration of any motorcycle is the integrity of the bearings, tires, forks, swingarm, chassis and brakes ... for it does little good to built a fast engine and then throw a wobbly chassis into a hard turn.

.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

Regarding your question concerning the use of Tan(theta)

.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

This is taken directly from ... http://forums.superb...p?showtopic=500

.

One reason a motorcycle must lean into a turn is to counterbalance centrifugal force tending to highside it. With the motorcycle leaned over and going around a constant radius turn at a constant speed, the moment produced by centrifugal force and which tends to highside the bike is:

.

mh = m * a * cmh * cos(theta)

.

where m is mass (rider + bike), a is the lateral acceleration due to centrifugal force, cmh is the height of the center of mass, and theta is the lean angle from vertical.

.

The moment produced by leaning, which tends to make it lowside is:

.

ml = m * g * cmh * sin(theta)

.

where g is acceleration due to gravity.

.

The motorcycle is in equilibrium?neither highsiding nor lowsiding?when the highside and lowside moments balance out. The equation quickly simplifies:

.

m * g * cmh * sin(theta) = m * a * cmh * cos(theta)

.

a / g = sin(theta) / cos (theta) = tan(theta)

.

In words, the lateral acceleration expressed in units of g, acceleration due to gravity, must equal the tangent of the lean angle.

.

Lateral acceleration depends on speed v and turn radius r, so the lean angle can be expressed as a function of speed and turn radius:

.

a = v^2 / r

.

tan(theta) = v^2 / r*g

.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

Other excellent sites covering the dynamics of a Mototcycle Chassis

Very good reading ... especially the Wikipedia

.

http://johnandbecci....sis_basics.html

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http://www.physicsfo...ead.php?t=13060

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http://www.motorcycl...ts/chassis.html

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http://en.wikipedia....rcycle_dynamics

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http://hippocampusph...ed-turn-no.html

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http://johnandbecci....sis_basics.html

.

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I hope this provides the answers you are seekng

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Rubber Side Down

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Karen

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Wow, thank you for the explanation Karen. I understand it alot better now that you have explained it in moments of lowside and highside, as i have a reasonable grasp of the balance equations.

Its nice to talk with someone that doesn't tell me "stick to the curriculum" when i ask questions about bikes and physics.

I would love to build bikes and hope to one day when i have a better understanding of the mechanics and physics involved.

"the braking system can take 383736 joules of kinetic energy from 135 mph to 20 mph" Thats alot of energy, a real eye opener. I can't help but be fascinated by the facts behind something that appears to be as simple as pulling a lever to slow a bike, i think its the details that most riders are unaware of that get my interest most.

Also thank you for the links, i will read through them and probably post back with more questions, if you don't mind that is?

Vez.

[up.yours]

its all abit over the top of my head this lot but to the madhouse.

[barkwindjammer]

Ah

(playing hard to get !, nice one )

[drewpy]

[Karen_Agusta]

Up-Yours - Barkwindjammer - Drewpy

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Thanks for joining in ... to be honest this pushes the limits of my understanding as well

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Though I do actually understand this topic (having gone to college for mechanical engineering).

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I engage in these discussions because I love motorcycles and all I can learn about them.

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An issue I suppose I can best explain in this short story I wrote about two years ago.

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Karen walks outside choosing from her collection of vintage motorcycles which one to ride.

She has a tough time between the Vincent Black Shadow and the old 1972 Triumph Trident 750.

In the end she chooses the Triumph and hops on the kickstarter. It takes a few tries however

after several kicks it purrs to life. Karen has maintained it well and once again it feels the

love of having a partner on top of it. As the Trident warms up Karen is thinking about the ride

knowing it runs through about fifty four miles of steeply winding mountain roads. Karen settles

in for the journey as she let lets two fingers off of the brake lever, takes her feet up to the

pegs as she simultaneously lets the clutch out and rolls the throttle back.

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Karen has been riding for a while now the sun is up and the road is overshadowed with trees.

Karen is alive and her heart is racing as she sees the perfect series of turns upcoming and

sets herself perfectly on the machine as she drops two gears - placing the engine into higher

RPMs. The three-cylinder machine howls like a monster from the depths of hell as it screams

its place in the world. Karen goes to the far outside and turns the bars to the right hard

counter-steering the motorbike as it dives to the left cutting perfectly tight to the apex of

the corner and the back out again straightening the turn as she rolls the throttle back catching

the next gear as she sets the bike up for the long and sweeping corner ahead.

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The wind rushes past her as she is filled with the joy of being alive. The foot-pegs dragging to

the ground as she flies through the sweeper. For as all who ride know four wheels move the body

and two wheels move the soul ... THE END

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Thus perhaps we do not understand all aspects of motorcycle physics yet I hope in the words

I have written ... being on two wheeels in these joys are something that all of us can share.

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Now ... back to the topic at hand

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Vez

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Yes I would love it if you have more questions ... And Yes ... the amounts of energy sustained by the brakes, suspension and more than anything else by the tiny contact patch of the tires to the road ... are quite amazing.

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I am greatly looking forward to continuing the discussion after you have time to look at the links

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Karen

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Wow, thank you for the explanation Karen. I understand it alot better now that you have explained it in moments of lowside and highside, as i have a reasonable grasp of the balance equations. Its nice to talk with someone that doesn't tell me "stick to the curriculum" when i ask questions about bikes and physics. I would love to build bikes and hope to one day when i have a better understanding of the mechanics and physics involved.

"the braking system can take 383736 joules of kinetic energy from 135 mph to 20 mph" Thats alot of energy, a real eye opener. I can't help but be fascinated by the facts behind something that appears to be as simple as pulling a lever to slow a bike, i think its the details that most riders are unaware of that get my interest most.

Also thank you for the links, i will read through them and probably post back with more questions, if you don't mind that is?

Vez.

[Karen_Agusta]

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I just though I would show a few first rides

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The Kawasaki 250 Ninja is an amazing machine for fun day rides

You can go about as far as Seatlle to Spokane it is a great commuter

Excellent gas mileage and just a great machine for handling the turns

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Product-Specifications.aspx?scid=6&id=431

The The Kawasaki Versys is the same but a larger ride for longer day trips

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Product-Specifications.aspx?scid=6&id=433

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The Triumph Truxton for all arounder for anything you want to do

http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/2010_Thruxton_Overview_2010Thruxton.aspx

The Triumph Bonneville is a good solid no nonsense bike

http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/2010_Bonneville_Overview_2010Bonneville.aspx

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The Ducati Monster 696. Proven Engine, Styling and Ducati which is an icon

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/monster/696/index.do

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Susuki Offers the GS500 an excellent well made fun reliable ride

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/GS500F/2009/GS500F.aspx?category=sportbike

The Suzuki Gladius in another excellent choice for anything a rider may wish to do

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/Gladius/2009/SFV650.aspx?category=standard

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Harley

Solo seat wich does not fit the bike and can not touch the tank

Narrow tires, poor rake and trail for crummy handling I do not like them

Parts that look like shelf leftovers thrown together and it just looks poor

However it gets you in the Harley community for about seven grand wich has value

The fact that you are part of a culture, a community, and you can customize it greatly

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2010/harley_davidson/sportster/883_low/51675/05/index.html

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Honda

Though If you really want to own a chopper

You can not go wrong with the new Honda Fury

Take a look the quality and then compare prices

http://powersports.honda.com/2010/fury.aspx

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We come to one of the worlds finest manufatcturers YAMAHA

Because any Yamaha a person chooses is a fine well make bike

Sport ... The FZR6 - fine engine, brakes and great for dragging pegs

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/619/0/home.aspx

The Yamaha Star is one of the most respected lines in cruiser motorcycles

http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/21/0/home.aspx

And of course the worlds ultimate motorcycle which no other comes close

A motorcycle which sits alone in a category not other bike even touches

What can I say other than the Yamana VMAX for anyone who rides one knows

However this shall in no way ever be considered someones first motorcycle

http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/23/0/home.aspx

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And that is a short summary of a few nice bikes a person may wish to view

Of course all of these are nothing more than the opinions of a crazy biker girl

Also if you have never riden a motorcycle and a totaly new to the two wheel world

You may wish to take time to read these articles to better understand what bike is

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Rubber Side Down

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Karen

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