4 ms·
Do the wheels really add gyroscopic effects? Some years ago the revelation that gyroscopic effects weren't what keep a bicycle up rocked the world, then everyon
by nsxwolf 7y ago
Do the wheels really add gyroscopic effects? Some years ago the revelation that gyroscopic effects weren't what keep a bicycle up rocked the world, then everyone seemed to forget about that and talks about gyroscopic effects again. Is that the case here?
- caconym_ 7y agoI don't know if it really "rocked the world". Probably most people never heard it or discounted it as soon as they did because they "knew" it was wrong. Motorcycle wheels are heavier and spin faster, so I'd expect the gyroscopic forces to be greater at speed, but the fact that you can go walking speed (or slower) on a motorcycle without falling over seems to disprove gyroscopic effects as a primary factor in stability.
- dredmorbius 7y agoThere are different modes of stability for wheeled vehicles. Gyroscopic effects are far more significant at speed. Though the ability to steer into a fall and move centre of gravity under centre of support is a key dynamic, particularly at low (or no) speed.