It seems like it would handle better if it were designed for the driver
(rider?) to lay prone on his stomach rather than reclined rearward. Then it
could be handled like a plain old snow sled, or like belly surfing. It would
respond to body movement and input more like a normal motorcycle.
Dick J
ardunbill@webtv.net wrote:Just from the theoretical standpoint I can agree
that to steer the mc
streamliner right, you countersteer it left for an instant to get it to
lean right, then come back to center or a little right to keep it
drifting right.
I think we all agree that weight shifting by the rider, especially
reclining on his back, will avail nothing for control.
Once you have it leaning/drifting right, to get it to come back
straight, I guess you will have to countersteer more right, to get it to
straighten up or lean a little left.
So as you mentioned earlier, its progress forward will be a series of
slight turns. But you will also have some effect from slight and
variable wind pressures on the course, plus the destabilizing effect of
ruts in the surface. I visualize a mc streamliner running like a little
rocket down the Salt Flats, very unwieldy in its handling, just barely
able to be pointed and controlled by a highly skilled, brave rider with
a great sense of feel for the movement of the thing, who constantly
corrects its wanderings and leanings.
Remember, once the thing is leaned over, I don't see any force to get it
to automatically straighten up, from its body, its vertical stabilizer,
or gyroscopic effect. It would be just as happy running down the Flats
with a 10 degree right lean, for example, would it not? With only one
front wheel steering, the caster effect of the rake and trail, unlike a
car, will not pull it straight by gravity.
As to how the conventional mc steers, there are two modes, that the
experienced rider uses without conscious thought:
1. On slight direction changes, where there's no particular hurry,
shifting one's weight to the direction that one wants the bike to lean
and go to makes it go that way effortlessly. No "countersteering"
involved.
2. To make the bike change direction quickly, one countersteers left
slightly for an instant, which makes the bike instantly lean right, at
the same time one shifts one's weight to the right slightly, and all in
one motion lets the front fork come back slightly to the right, all of
which makes the bike turn right quickly. Vice versa for left, of
course.
In a nutshell, I daresay that's about all there is to conventional
motorcycle steering. Or at least all I've been aware of in 47 years'
riding. But I'm always glad to learn something new and better. Ardun
Bill
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