To discover what happens to a motorcycle in a variety of collisions, a model about 24 inches long was constructed and fitted with a dummy figure; all were contained in a travelling cage moving down a sloping runway. The dimensions, velocities, and other properties of the components were related by the principle of dimensional similarity so that the relative motions and velocities remained those of a full-size machine. This enables the ultimate effect on the dummy to be photographed after the accident. From this a design for a safety motorcycle can be created that will withstand the collisions met in practice. Simulation tests of the following types of accidents involving motorcycles were conducted.
Abstract