Yes, this estimate is actually rather automatic. Because the front wheel is
a huge gyroscope, you don't turn a motorcycle by turning the handlebars in
the desired direction of turn. Instead, you lean your body (and the bike)
into the turn and the resulting torque on the front wheel turns it in the
desired direction. So you're already set up for the lean that produces the
centripetal force automatically. The handlebars are simply a convenient
place to rest your hands and hold the throttle and clutch.
Bob at PC
-----Original Message-----
From: Forum for Physics Educators [mailto:PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu] On
Behalf Of John Denker
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 1:31 AM
To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
Subject: Re: centripetal force question
The rider makes (literally) a seat-of-the-pants estimate of this
tipping torque and adjusts the angle of lean to zero it out.
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