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Preliminary results of a study to develop lateral-directional handling test procedures for motorcycles are presented. One is a steady-state turn, accomplished with a range of forward speeds and turn radii. The other is a single lane change maneuver, using various degrees of severity and forward speeds. Several example motorcycles were studied analytically and via full scale tests. Data from onboard instrumentation show the effects of vehicle and operational differences on selected response and performance measures. This paper comprises a progress report, and the work is continuing.

A theoretical and empirical view is taken of motorcycle lateral-directional dynamics, handling, and rider control behavior. The analytical development includes equations of motion for the vehicle and a multiple loop feedback model for the control response of the rider/cycle system. Connections with manual control and vehicle response data are shown. The effects of changing fork geometry, operating conditions, and tire lag properties are discussed. Implications are drawn for handling requirements, vehicle design, and rider control techniques.

Analytical results describing moped lateral-directional response properties are presented. Design characteristics of four example mopeds related to directional handling are presented and compared with sample motorcycle properties. Resultant moped dynamics are quantified and compared. Using a nominal moped example, the sensitivity of the vehicle dynamics to operational and design variables, such as speed, loading and tire properties, is shown. Implications for rider/moped handling are reviewed.

Analytical and experimental studies of the transient and oscillatory behavior of motorcycles are reported. Three example vehicles were used. The effects of adding load, changing operating conditions, and modifying the vehicle configuration are shown. The phenomenon known as cornering weave is illustrated and interpreted.