Somebody Please Explain the Physics of This!
By singout
@singout (980)
United States
August 13, 2008 12:10pm CST
My Dad once asked me if I ever noticed how, at high speeds on a motorcycle, you turn right to turn left and turn left to turn right. I thought he was nuts. But you know, it's true. I never paid much attention to it until I tried it. It's only at higher speeds. If you want to lean right you will literally put pressure forward on your right throttle grip and pull back on your left clutch grip. the opposite is true for leaning left. Could somebody please explain the physics involved?
1 response
@pukaprat2 (442)
• United States
13 Aug 08
well for every action there is a greater reaction. simple right? well if you are traveling on a bike at high speeds and you dont want to loose control of your bike you need to balance the weight when shifting from side to side. or left to right. that is why when you are riding a bike say harley you dont need to move do drastically since the bike is weighed out- but on sports bikes and such they have a tendency to loose the parts that weigh the bike so that you get more speed. so you have to counter act it in order for you not to loose control.
hope this helps and have fun out there.
1 person likes this
@singout (980)
• United States
13 Aug 08
Thanks for your response pukaprat2. I would agree with you except for one thing. If you notice when traveling straight down a highway and everything is level including your weight on the seat. With one hand (your choice which), pull back slightly on the handle bar and see what kind of reaction you get. Now, don't do it too hard (don't want any wrecks). You'll notice that if you pull back on the right, the bike will lean left, and the opposite is true for the left.
@pukaprat2 (442)
• United States
14 Aug 08
well you got me- i know what you are talking about and have had the same reaction with every bike i have been on whether dirt or street and i think it might also have something to do with the hydrolics.counteracting with what is being done. but i am no bike expert. it is definately a question to pounder.
1 person likes this
