Motorcycle simulator due in Honda dealerships

[jeremysprite]

November 28, 2005
Motorbike simulator due in dealerships
Honda has developed a motorbike simulator to help train new riders and says every one of its dealerships will be equipped with the device within the next three years.

The Motorcycle Rider Trainer (MRT) uses similar technology to the flight simulators used to train pilots, plus all the controls found on a real motorbike.

A screen shows a variety of different conditions and situations to help new riders master basic skills before taking to the road.

The MRT will be trialled next year.

[McJim]

Can that setup be bought to play TT?

[Morcs]

that would be frickin awesome

if blue wing honda are anything like honda marine, then technology like this probably wont get here for about 3 years after they say it will, the first shipment will have to be sent back as they are broken... and they will cost a gizzilion dollars for the dealers. THis happened with the new portable outboard diagnostic computers, now there is only one working one in the country, and its constantly being sent from dealer to dealer...an utter pain in the arse..

So dont get ya hopes up!

[McJim]

These official simulators are way too pretentious and expensive anyway - I learned to drive playing Gran Tourismo (the original one) with a steering wheel and pedal combo and a seat ripped from an old VW back in Scotland.

No reason why TT couldn't be slammed on to a PS2 and the controllers wired up to an old bike frame?

[jeremysprite]

Now you've got me thinking... convert the old RS125 into a TT control???
That'd be the coolest ps2 on the block...

[jonbuoy]

Sega used to have a good version of the IOM TT, it was on a gimbal and you had to lean as you do on a real bike.

[TonyB]

I wonder if it will be realistic- ie, will countersteering work....

[El Dopa]

I wonder if it will be realistic- ie, will countersteering work....

The biggest problem I can see with making a 'realistic' bike simulator is that when you go around a corner in the real world, you lean into it. The bike doesn't fall over (and you don't fall off) because the centrifugal force tries to push you back upright.

All of this works because you and the bike are actually travelling in a curve, so as to generate the centrifugal force.

How do you reproduce that on a static simulator?

[McJim]

The biggest problem I can see with making a 'realistic' bike simulator is that when you go around a corner in the real world, you lean into it. The bike doesn't fall over (and you don't fall off) because the centrifugal force tries to push you back upright.

All of this works because you and the bike are actually travelling in a curve, so as to generate the centrifugal force.

How do you reproduce that on a static simulator?

I would suggest a spinning disc at the front to simulate a front wheel...with enough mass it should tilt the bike in the same way as a bike if you countersteer...as I understand it the lean makes the bike turn but the countersteering is what makes you lean. I could be wrong.

You would then need some sort of lateral spring set up to make compensate for the riders weight and bring you back to the upright when you stop leaning.....Hmmmm - we need a garage and some bits and pieces ...I feel a project coming on...

[Finn]

I hope they're insured. Dover will write them off.

[Shadows]

As soon as you lean into the first corner the fucking monitor will fall off!

[TerminalAddict]

lots of velcro

[Coyote]

How realistic is the world around your bike in the sim? Are all the cars doing 50 like in a perfect world or are they all trying to knock you off?

[TerminalAddict]

does the viewport on screen change when doing a stoppie I wonder

[El Dopa]

I would suggest a spinning disc at the front to simulate a front wheel...with enough mass it should tilt the bike in the same way as a bike if you countersteer...as I understand it the lean makes the bike turn but the countersteering is what makes you lean. I could be wrong.

You would then need some sort of lateral spring set up to make compensate for the riders weight and bring you back to the upright when you stop leaning.....Hmmmm - we need a garage and some bits and pieces ...I feel a project coming on...

But the forces act on the rider as well, so when you're riding around a corner 'real world', you can rely on the centrifugal force to balance gravity. Try that on a simulator, and you'd fall off.

You'd need some sort of straps attached to the rider as well to make it work.