To improve the driving safety of motorcycles it is necessary to know about their dynamic characteristics. An excellent instrument for the theoretical analysis is the computer simulation. State of the art computer techniques permit the application of sophisticated models, the results of which closely correspond to those found in reality. In BMW motorcycle research and development a complex motorcycle model is applied; its theoretical fundamentals are briefly presented. Selected results from the verification of the model elucidate the meaningfulness of computer simulation. As focal point of the lecture selected simulation results from the fields of straight running stability and manoeuvrability are presented and discussed. In this context the effects of modifications to the vehicle regarding, the influence of vehicle stability under different driving conditions, are emphasized.
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