Motorcycle Design and Technology Handbook (Motorbooks Workshop)

Motorcyclists know that bikes are the point where the technologies of performance and the thrill of movement converge. But what is it about motorcycles that makes them perform in the dynamic, exhilarating way that they do? How can they lean so deeply into a curve? Why do they accelerate so rapidly? How can they stop so quickly? Motorcycle Design and Technology takes the rider under the sleek surfaces of the modern motorcycle to provides detailed answers to these questions and numerous others. Author Gaetano Cocco begins by examining how things like friction, lean angles, centrifugal force, suspension loads, and other environmental forces influence motorcycle design. He then discusses how a motorcycle's main systems-chassis, suspension, powerplant-work both together and in isolation. To know thy bike is to know thyself-at least when it comes to deriving maximum performance from both man and machine. Motorcycle Design and Technology provides the knowledge to allow you to get the most from your next ride.