| Abstract: | Motorcycle racing teams occasionally experience speed-limiting vibrations of around 25 Hz frequency in mid-corner. The nature of the vibrations has not been closely defined yet and the mechanics are currently not properly understood. Conventional motorcycle-dynamics models are shown here to reveal the existence of a vibration mode that aligns with the experience being referred to, suggesting some explanations. Root loci for variations in speed or cornering vigour, demonstrating modal characteristics for small perturbations from trim states, are employed to indicate how the mode responds to changes in operation and design. Modal participation is examined for a lightly damped case. Influences on the natural frequency and damping of the mode are found and a way of stabilising the mode is suggested. |
