Technical question

[GSVR]

A racetrack is built that is flat. I don't mean smooth I mean perfectly flat without the slighest hint of a bump or elevation change. If someone was to lose a hair off their head it would create a bump. Get the idea.

Now two identical bikes (apart from one difference) are made. One has suspension and one doesn't.
Which bike would technically be able to be ridden the around this racetrack the quickest.
Or to put it another way which bike could be made to go the fastest assuming changes could be made but one bike will always have no springs or dampening.

To look at this another way does the forward and rearward pitching of a bike help it to go any faster? How does the level of grip effect things in this case?

[Shaun]

Obvious Garry- I know even you knowthe awnser to this one your self

[vtec]

I was going to say the one with no suspension. However, come to think about it. Tailslides and front end slips are handled differently on a bike with suspension. So I think a bike with some clever suspension would be better, as it would be more foregiving when right on the edge. I think the more stable weight distribution on a bike with no suspension would be advantageous. But there are still things that need to be absorbed to prevent cutting tyres loose, like say getting on the throttle, would the tyres give enough before letting go?

[MSTRS:Me]

Does the non-suspended bike have to keep the front down at all times...

[Tony.OK]

Tyres are good nowadays, but they ain't that good that they'd cope with 100% of the loads and forces put on them.

[GSVR]

Does the non-suspended bike have to keep the front down at all times...

Good question. Wheelstands are counter productive to going fast so I'd say yes.

[MSTRS:Me]

Good question. Wheelstands are counter productive to going fast so I'd say yes.

Seek no more, for you have your answer.

[Racin Jason]

Ha this cracks me up!

Maybe if the track was a perfect cirlce and robots were riding the bikes the non suspended bike might keep up.

[Racin Jason]

Ha this cracks me up!

Maybe if the track was a perfect cirlce, and robots were riding the bikes to maintain a exact constant optimal speed, the non suspended bike might keep up.

[GSVR]

Does the non-suspended bike have to keep the front down at all times...

My last answer to this may have been a little missleading.

In order to make the assumption that the front wheel will lift you have to assume that the bike is powerful enough to do so and also the level of grip is good enough that the rear doesn't spin up under hard acceleration.

The reason I mention level of grip is that the outcome could be different in lower grip situations.

And of course theres the issue of the rear staying on the ground under heavy braking!

[LBD]

With suspension.....Come into a corner on the front brakes, nose down, Steeper steering angle, tip in quicker than without front suspension. Gas on at the apex, rear down front up bike naturally stands upright.....Would be quicker with suspension in my mind....

[cowpoos]

A racetrack is built that is flat. I don't mean smooth I mean perfectly flat without the slighest hint of a bump or elevation change. If someone was to lose a hair off their head it would create a bump. Get the idea.

Now two identical bikes (apart from one difference) are made. One has suspension and one doesn't.
Which bike would technically be able to be ridden the around this racetrack the quickest.
Or to put it another way which bike could be made to go the fastest assuming changes could be made but one bike will always have no springs or dampening.

To look at this another way does the forward and rearward pitching of a bike help it to go any faster? How does the level of grip effect things in this case?

Whats behind this question??...this is basic basic stuff Gary...a kid in 3rd form would tell you suspesion???

[discotex]

You could ask these guys...

[youtube]-3ODe9mqoDE[/youtube]

[Robert Taylor]

Whats behind this question??...this is basic basic stuff Gary...a kid in 3rd form would tell you suspesion???

Youve gotta wonder Poos! Pitch forward under braking changes trail and helps to further initiate turn in. Pitch rearwards under power allows the tyre to ''bite the track'' harder and minimise wheel spin. Part of the function of suspension is to allow pitch which helps steering. Little wonder that a mountain bike with suspension can turn tighter than a pushbike without.
Gary, do everyone a favour, dust off your wallet and go and buy textbooks re the subject, or visit the local library.
I think also that bike manufacturers have the basic physics worked out.

[GSVR]

Youve gotta wonder Poos! Pitch forward under braking changes trail and helps to further initiate turn in. Pitch rearwards under power allows the tyre to ''bite the track'' harder and minimise wheel spin. Part of the function of suspension is to allow pitch which helps steering. Little wonder that a mountain bike with suspension can turn tighter than a pushbike without.
Gary, do everyone a favour, dust off your wallet and go and buy textbooks re the subject, or visit the local library.
I think also that bike manufacturers have the basic physics worked out.

No use looking or asking on the internet then?