Analysis of motorcycle models for the evaluation of the handling performances

Abstract

In this work, three motorcycle models of increased accuracy are presented. They were developed as a tool for investigating how the level of accuracy, for example, in the front kinematics, affects the handling judgment, as obtained on the basis of some handling indexes taken from the technical literature, in some typical manoeuvres. A simple driver model was also employed, which, by controlling the steering torque and the longitudinal force, makes the vehicle to follow a desired trajectory at a constant forward speed. Both models, the vehicle and the driver, were implemented in the Matlab/Simulink^® environment. Results are presented and discussed in detail for a U-turn manoeuvre.

Keywords:

• Motorcycle models
• Handling evaluation
• Handling index
• Driver model