New to Apes
- A spinning wheel is stable. The greater the speed of the spinning wheel the greater the stability.
- A force or torque is required to change the direction, lean or speed of a spinning wheel.
- Spinning systems possess a quantity known as angular momentum. The greater the mass, the radius or the speed of the spinning wheel the greater the angular momentum. The greater the angular momentum, the greater the amount of force required to initiate a change in direction or lean angle in a spinning wheel.
- When a torque is applied to a rotating system along an axis perpendicular to the rotational axis of the system (as in motorcycle or bicycle steering) the result is another rotation of the system (precession) about a third axis perpendicular to both the original rotation and the applied torque. This results in leaning.
- Gyroscopic effects are enhanced (or not) by chassis design.
Though the effect is (often) initially slight gyroscopic forces do contribute to leaning though they are secondary to the steering induced leaning due to the misalignment of the chassis produced by countersteering.
Most of the rotational inertia in a motorcycle is in the rotating crankshaft, not in the front wheel. The gyroscopic effect produced by the steering torque applied to the front wheel may not, at low speeds, be enough to overcome this (and the rotational inertia of the rear wheel) by itself.
As the bike leans gravity produces a torque on the center of mass of the bike/rider system that accelerates leaning.
As the lean continues the leaning torques overcome the steering torque (supplied by the rider during the initial countersteer through the steering axis of the motorcycle) and the wheel steering angle decreases - moving back toward the centerline of the motorcycle.
As the bike continues to tip into the turn leaning continues to increase due to the combination of gravity and leaning torques.
As leaning continues, the counter torque supplied to the steering axis causes the front wheel to continue to swing back through the centerline of the motorcycle and beyond into the direction of the turn.
The leaning torques supplied by this wheel motion reverse direction causing slowing the lean of the bike.
As the leaning torques and the torque supplied by gravity come to equilibrium the steering angle stabilizes and the motorcycle executes the turn.
Camber thrust is important in motorcycle turning. Camber thrust is sometimes referred to as the "cone effect" because it roughly describes to the arc followed by a cone rolling on its side.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: OC SoCal
I don't know how old you are, but the feeling I got when I first put on my mini-apes is that I just mounted my 'ol schwein banana seat bicycle. 
I can't wait to put them on my new bike. The stock bars are awkward and me no likey.
Before I got the mini-apes, I would cruise around with my hands up on top of the mirrors to see how it would feel.
The one thing you should be aware of is at very slow speeds and/or walking your bike around in a parking lot, this is where you actually 'turn' the handlebars and you may need to let go or stretch out to keep hold. Depending on how you mount the bars.
Enjoy !
I can't wait to put them on my new bike. The stock bars are awkward and me no likey.
Before I got the mini-apes, I would cruise around with my hands up on top of the mirrors to see how it would feel.
The one thing you should be aware of is at very slow speeds and/or walking your bike around in a parking lot, this is where you actually 'turn' the handlebars and you may need to let go or stretch out to keep hold. Depending on how you mount the bars.
Enjoy !
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
From: PNW
I have 16 inch Wild 1 Chubbys on stock risers. I'm 6' and they fit me great. I've had them on this bike since buying it new in 07. As far as control, I did the MRC Experienced Riders course on my bike and had no problem. I do ride all the time so riding with apes is just natural. I think you will really like the ride, no matter what size apes you get!
