Balance

Aspect of the balance process, the low speed case

The rearview shows that if the ​CoG is not vertically above the line joining the tire contact patches​, then an
over-balancing moment is generated. However, the plan view shows how the sideways relationship of the
machine center-line and the tire line can be changed by steering from side to side. This is of great
importance to a very low-speed balance.

● A low CoG height helps.

● A large trail changes the position of the tire line more for a given handlebar movement.
● A small rake angle reduces the fall of the steering head when the bars are turned away
from the straight-ahead position, assisting with the balancing process
Steering
A perfect demonstration of the power of gyroscopic reactions, in the absence of any tyre forces.
Note ​that the rider has applied a very large steering angle toward the right hand side but the lean of the bike
has been to the left.This is known as counter-steering.

Torques that act on the steering assembly:

1. Rider input torque.
2. Gravitational torque.
3. Gyroscopic torque. ​This is due to the roll velocity.
4. Damping torque. ​This comes from various sources, not just from the addition of a
steering damper.
5. Tyre torque. ​The lateral tire force acting with the lever-arm of the real trail produces a
torque about the steering axis.