A Multibody Code for Motorcycle Handling and Stability Analysis with Validation and Examples of Application

This work presents a new multibody software designed for investigating two wheeled vehicles dynamics. This code, named FastBike, can perform time steady state analyses, time domain simulations and frequency domain analyses. The steady state analysis allows for the calculation of the vehicle trim in static condition, in straight running and in steady cornering, both at constant speed and in braking/accelerating phase. Time domain analysis is of use for simulating typical maneuvers such as lane change, slalom, entering in a curve, path following and free control simulations. Moreover, these maneuvers can be reproduced in braking or accelerating conditions. Frequency domain analysis tool includes stability analysis and free-modes calculations, frequency response function evaluations and rider emulator design. Furthermore, results of the experimental validation of FastBike, which were carried out on a sports motorcycle, are summarized.