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The aim of the present study is to develop feasible test methods to measure the lateral force characteristics of motorcycle tires. In this work, new experimental procedures are developed to estimate the lateral friction coefficient and lateral stiffness characteristics of motorcycle tires. A fairly accurate tire model is developed using the measured lateral force characteristics. Based on this tire model, the steer behavior and the cornering limits of the motorcycle are estimated using an analytical model of the vehicle. The results are validated with experimental data. The test methods proposed are shown to be adequate to estimate tire characteristics that are important for tire development and is less expensive compared to the standard testing facilities available.

Fatigue due to motorcycle riding is an important field of study as it is one of the key parameters through which the end user rates the motorcycle. The fatigue due to riding can be broadly divided into two major activities the body performs: 1. Maintain the body posture, absorbing road shocks and 2. Generate the required forces to control the motorcycle. The current methods of estimating fatigue are limited to subjective feel and objective measurements of parameters like steering torque; shock levels at seat, etc. during riding. These parameters estimate the inputs to the vehicle irrespective of the rider posture and hence predict same fatigue for all postures, but it is well known that the riding posture significantly affects the fatigue of rider. In this study the authors propose a direct way of measuring fatigue using Electromyography (EMG). The objective of this study is to determine physical fatigue due to motorcycle riding using surface EMG.