Design for Good Motorcycle Handling Qualities

An overview of the handling qualities of motorcycles is given. Firstly, the problems are discussed from a practical standpoint with reference to responses to steering control inputs, to self-excited oscillations arising from instabilities and to motions caused by road irregularities. The theoretical basis for understanding the behaviour is then outlined, with sections on the analysis problem itself, on small perturbations from straight running, on small perturbations from steady turning and on general motions. The need for advanced, automated approaches to modelling is stressed and relationships between design and operating conditions and steering behaviour are described. A brief account of experimental work on motorcycle steering responses is included and conclusions are drawn relating to motorcycle design issues.