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  • #1

    Learn more about a bike

    Hi

    I would really love to know more about my bike, and I have been trying to for some time, but i have not been very successful

    I dont even know where to start.

    I dont want to know about mods and stuff, what I would like to know is what goes into making one bike better than the next. What aspects make a difference to cornering and braking, how does changing the angle of the fork by 1 degree affect the bike's performance... and everything else that I can...

    I know all this would probably be part of an automobile engg course, but i dont have the time to join one of those

    If someone could help me out, or show me the ropes (I am in Pune, free on weekends), it would be great!!

    Assume that i know nothing, except to ride decently. (By that i mean that i dont race on crowded roads, and my only accident has been because of someone else's mistake )

    If such a thread already exists, my apologies, and please redirect me

    Any help would be appreciated!



    My website: www.samudraNB.com
    Tags: basics, biking, learn
  • #2
    Topic Approved

    Quite a vast subject. But approved nonetheless. Can be useful and interesting in the scope of the forum.
    The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better!


    BMW Motorrad Days 2011

    Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

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    • #3
      Ok, Let's start ... I don't know exact meaning of what you said but let's try ...

      Wheelbase: Longer results in better high speed stability, but longer turning radius.
      Shorter results in short turning radius, ideal for city, but bike seems unstable high at speeds.
      For a good sportsbike, the wheelbase should be short ... but swingarm should be long!

      Is this an example of what you want??
      ---
      Brotherhood, Rules, Freedom. Xbhp.
      Indian riding = Alertness, Anticipation and Adjustment.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post
        For a good sportsbike, the wheelbase should be short ... but swingarm should be long!
        I fail to see any logic here. The length of the swingarm decides the wheelbase largely.
        When everything comes ur way, u r in the wrong way ;)

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        • #5
          What is a swingarm??

          Kidding

          Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post
          Ok, Let's start ... I don't know exact meaning of what you said but let's try ...

          Wheelbase: Longer results in better high speed stability, but longer turning radius.
          Shorter results in short turning radius, ideal for city, but bike seems unstable high at speeds.
          For a good sportsbike, the wheelbase should be short ... but swingarm should be long!

          Is this an example of what you want??
          Originally posted by insanebiker View Post
          I fail to see any logic here. The length of the swingarm decides the wheelbase largely.
          Yes, this is exactly the kind of information that I am looking for, but also, the "WHY"s... like insanebiker said... what is the logic behind the correlation of the length of the swingarm --> "good sports bike"??

          Sportsbikes --> shorter wheel base --> doesnt that mean less stability at higher speeds??

          I know the scope of this will be vast, but if we could get some experienced members to contribute, it could be a wealth of knowledge!



          My website: www.samudraNB.com

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by samudranb View Post
            What is a swingarm??

            Kidding





            Yes, this is exactly the kind of information that I am looking for, but also, the "WHY"s... like insanebiker said... what is the logic behind the correlation of the length of the swingarm --> "good sports bike"??

            Sportsbikes --> shorter wheel base --> doesnt that mean less stability at higher speeds??

            I know the scope of this will be vast, but if we could get some experienced members to contribute, it could be a wealth of knowledge!
            Swingarm is a smaller component. It starts from the point it is attached to chassis via a circular joint, which allows for movement up & down (due to suspension).. and It ends nearly where the rear wheel is attached.

            Wheelbase is only a measure of distance between the tyre "ground contact" points... It is even affected by Rake & Trial Setup, engine block, etc... Of course, Swingarm is an "affecting factor" among other factors.


            PS: I read this statement in Bike India's issues, can't remember which one? But, it was a Bike UK Article... I "think", the larger wheelbase does add stability, simply because it allows more rear wheel wobbling (don't know the ideal word), without disturbing the chassis due to its length... Isn't it?
            ---
            Brotherhood, Rules, Freedom. Xbhp.
            Indian riding = Alertness, Anticipation and Adjustment.

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post
              I "think", the larger wheelbase does add stability, simply because it allows more rear wheel wobbling (don't know the ideal word), without disturbing the chassis due to its length... Isn't it?
              What are you saying man?
              Why would one favour a wobble to aid stability? Your logic of an SBK having a short wheelbase for stability but with a shorter swingarm is another stunner of a logic to me. Atleast for once read wht you have typed, apart from the usual google.com gyaan you tend to collect and interpret in your own words. The disaster begins there!
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              • #8
                Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post
                PS: I read this statement in Bike India's issues, can't remember which one? But, it was a Bike UK Article... I "think", the larger wheelbase does add stability, simply because it allows more rear wheel wobbling (don't know the ideal word), without disturbing the chassis due to its length... Isn't it?
                Larger wheelbase adds stability in high speed. It doesn't achieve this via rear wheel wobbling as you said though. A longer wheelbase will make the tail of your vehicle more stable in high speed situations.

                Swingarm of the bike will, generally, effect the handling of the bike under acceleration, braking, cornering.

                There are so many permuations and combinations possible depending on what you are looking for in a bike, so it is very difficult to say what is ideal. eg:- A drag bike would not want its front end to lift, so they would have an extended swingarm.
                DoN\'t LivE tO DiE, dIe tO LiVe

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                • #9
                  Its all messed up guys please can you all explain it from begining some one is saying a longweelbase ????? and someone is saying small one ???
                  life starts at 0 bhp and ends with xbhp

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Very useful thread.

                    But i think..Instead of proving anyone wrong,everyone should try to correct the gyaan,provide some inputs for the stuff which somebody has wrongly interpreted in here.

                    So the best thing will be to provide the correct information about the basic terms of the bikes,with little bit debate..and a detailed conclusion in the end.

                    I have one question.

                    How does an Exhaust adds in the performance.with the various varaints in the Exhaust technology,Exhaust size etc.How does it works.
                    Also is it like a type of exhaust should belong to a type of bike(superbike,dirt bike..this classification)

                    Guys please provide your inputs,your expirience.I have already googled all this stuff.
                    Peace
                    Beruoist
                    Last edited by beruoist; 06-25-2009, 03:12 PM.
                    MyTravelTales-India
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                    • #11
                      I found this on the wikipedia entry for CBR1000RR
                      --
                      A longer swingarm acted as a longer lever arm in the rear suspension for superior traction under acceleration and more progressive suspension action. Substantially longer than the corresponding unit on the CBR954RR (585 mm (23 in) compared to 551 mm (21.7 in)) the CBR1000RR's 34 mm (1.3 in) longer swingarm made up 41.6 percent of its total wheelbase. The CBR1000RR's wheelbase also increased, measuring 1405 mm (55.3 in); a 5 mm (0.2 in) increase over the 954.
                      --
                      Assuming wikipedia to be accurate, it seems a longer swingarm does have something to do with the traction control and suspension.

                      If someone KNOWS EXACTLY HOW IT IS SO, please reply. PLEASE DONT GUESS.

                      Something else i have always wanted to know, how does the suspension relate to braking? I mean, what other functions does the suspension serve, other than cushioning my behinds ?



                      My website: www.samudraNB.com

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by akshaye11 View Post
                        Its all messed up guys please can you all explain it from begining some one is saying a longweelbase ????? and someone is saying small one ???
                        Originally posted by beruoist View Post
                        Very useful thread.

                        But i think..Instead of proving anyone wrong,everyone should try to correct the gyaan,provide some inputs for the stuff which somebody has wrongly interpreted in here.

                        So the best thing will be to provide the correct information about the basic terms of the bikes,with little bit debate..and a detailed conclusion in the end.

                        Peace
                        Beruoist
                        Thats what I am saying. This is a very very generalistic thread. What do you want to know exactly regarding wheelbase? Maybe this thread should be named, "bike mechanics", and then there would more info flowing.

                        As per the thread starter's question, things like a degree lesser in front rake, coupled with stiffer forks, will generate more feedback from the front forks, with the bike being easier to handle around the corners.
                        DoN\'t LivE tO DiE, dIe tO LiVe

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by samudranb View Post
                          Something else i have always wanted to know, how does the suspension relate to braking? I mean, what other functions does the suspension serve, other than cushioning my behinds ?
                          Yes, a softer setup will have slightly less effective braking as compared to a stiffer suspension setup. But am not able to think why though
                          When everything comes ur way, u r in the wrong way ;)

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            I am no Bike Guru and I know not how to Google too.

                            anyways, as per my less knowledge...the distance between the front axle and the rear axle is the wheelbase.

                            the Rake angle largely decides how stable the bike would be at high speed cornering. Larger angle as in Cruisers provide good stability in comparison to lesser as in dirt bikes at relatively higher speeds, but eating a large chunk of road at cornering.

                            Swing arm as rightly said by Samarth is the frame that joins the rear Axle to the main Chassis on a suspension.


                            suspension is related to braking to a larger extent.
                            a moving vehicle has some inertia/Kinetic energy and when we apply brake, if the suspension is hard or absent, the force applied by the inertia would toss the bike, however, a softer suspension would allow the vehicle to pump downwards towards the ground whereby improving stability.

                            now, as I said am not any guru, not a science student and I dont google, so my definition/explanation could mean little or nothing at all to a lot of us, pardon me for being a Non-Techie and discussing things as techie as these.
                            Peace!
                            Its not about the BHP or the CC, its about one common religion called Biking!!!

                            Save the Tigers! Only 1411 (excluding ME) are left!




                            This is my entry in the blogging world!!

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by dcs View Post
                              ...being a Non-Techie and discussing things as techie as these.
                              Peace!
                              Thank you non-techie!



                              My website: www.samudraNB.com

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