Samenvatting
Experimental impact tests of a motorcycle into a flat rigid barrier at 90 degrees to direction of travel have shown cast front wheels to have a marked pitching effect on the machine whereas wire spoked wheels do not have this effect. A mathematical model of the motorcycle and rider has been developed which can reproduce the dynamics of a motorcycle. The dynamic stiffness of front wheels has been experimentally related to static stiffness and impact velocity, and included in the simulation.