Multibody aspects of motorcycle modelling with special reference to autosim

Abstract

Modelling of the ride and handling dynamics of motorcycles using the symbolic mechanical multibody system package Autosim has been carried out since 1995. Motorcycles are principally of tree structure but their geometry is complex in relation to the tyre to road contact and tyre force and moment descriptions and to the chain drive system. They may contain closed kinematic loops, according to common suspension and steering design variations. Various aspects of the modelling problem are discussed and some implications, from a multibody standpoint, of choosing different options are exposed. Simulation results illustrate the "antisquat" behaviour of a chain drive transmission and the "anti-dive" behaviour of a Telelever front suspension system.