- Joined
- Jun 30, 2012
- Messages
- 13,226
In my old age, I have become aware of the dangers of belief without evidence. When guys do a million miles an hour down straights on 1100cc methanol-fuelled four cylinder superbikes, the tendency is to believe they are unbeatable. My bike is fast enough in corners that it often can get to the ends of the straights at the same time as the 1100cc bikes. I ran much higher gearing and the bike pulled hard right around the corners and up the straights. When I gassed it, it self-steered in the correct direction.
I have just put a video together from bits from 'Mike On Bikes'. He talks about steering geometry, however he is only half-correct. If you look at it in simple terms more trail should give more stability - however less trail does that. As you brake on a motorcycle, the trail reduces and the bike becomes more stable and tends to stand up. With more trail, as you accelerate the trail increases and the bike self-steers in the direction of lean. Control is achieved by adjusting the rear shocks.
One of my mates died a few months ago, prior that he said to me ' you idiot ! - you have left it too late ! ' But it is nice to know that it really works.
I have just put a video together from bits from 'Mike On Bikes'. He talks about steering geometry, however he is only half-correct. If you look at it in simple terms more trail should give more stability - however less trail does that. As you brake on a motorcycle, the trail reduces and the bike becomes more stable and tends to stand up. With more trail, as you accelerate the trail increases and the bike self-steers in the direction of lean. Control is achieved by adjusting the rear shocks.
One of my mates died a few months ago, prior that he said to me ' you idiot ! - you have left it too late ! ' But it is nice to know that it really works.
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