I am sitting here watching the speed Channel watching these riders in a Moto race in Italy. Something is puzzling me. Why do the motorcycles appear to be the most stable int the turns, flopping from one side to the other, but when they go into a straight standing the bike up do they tend to oscillate so badly? Is it because that is when they are the heaviest on the throttle, or is there some other dynamic going on. These guys are on the edge the whole 6 laps.
equus pallidus | Email | Homepage | 06.03.07 - 6:31 pm |
Moto GP is the premier class in Motorcycle racing; The Formula 1 of bikes. All machines are hand built experiments. Power to weight is near, or over 1 HP per Pound and every setting on the machine is maximized for turning speed. The turns are where motorcycle races are won and lost.
There are different factors determining corner speed; roll rate (how quickly the bike rotates to full lean), steering head geometry, breaking capability (how deep you can go into a curve before leaning), traction, throttle control, suspension settings, etc. Moto GP bikes are setup to turn. They pretty much figure the rider can keep it together in a straight line.
What you are seeing is the result of the compromises the teams have made to give the rider the ability to go around curves as fast as possible. It doesn't help that the front tire is basically unloaded for most of a straightaway - The bikes do run traction control and wheelie control software, but 250 HP is still 250 HP.
The few mere mortals who have ridden GP bikes say they are impressed by the stability the bikes exude. 'Course they were probably 25% below race pace.
