Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/05/15

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Laithewaite and the motorcycle
From: "Alan Hull" <hull@telia.com>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 21:53:42 +0200

I remember a massive discusion that occupied many acedemic minds
regarding the question of how a high speed motocyclist can lean into a
bend.  It was argued that as soon as the rider turned the handelbars
into the curve, the pressesive action of the gyro effect on the front
wheel would tend to throw the rider in the opposite direction assisted
by centrifugal force.

The solution to the problem was that as the rider approached the bend
he actually steered momentarily in the opposite direction.  The
gyroscopic effect then gave him the correct lean.  He then counteracted
this gyroscopic effect by steering under himself to balance all the
forces of gravity, centrifugal force, and gyroscopic pressesion.  All
without a computer.  Incredible isn't it?

Alan

Replies: Reply from "Stanislaw B.A. Stawowy" <watteau@krakow.neurosoft.net> (Re: [Leica] Laithewaite and the motorcycle)