A motorcycle model for stability and control analysis

The observed dynamic behaviour of motorcycles suggests that interesting and significant motions occur that are not currently understood. The most elab orate modelling exercise completed so far has produced results that need co nfirmation and extension. The construction of these models necessitates the use of automated methods and one such modelling methodology is described. The automated model building platform that was used here is AutoSim. This c ode was used to generate a variety of linear and nonlinear models in symbol ic form. The relatively complex geometry of the steering system and the fro nt tyre force system is discussed in detail and a new method of checking th e self-consistency of the model is described and exploited. Sample results in the form of root-locus plots for small perturbations from straight runni ng and cornering equilibrium states are presented. These are used to reprod uce important findings from the literature. Conclusions are drawn on the ba sis of the results presented.