Models to predict dynamic response of motorcycles with a outrigger & trailer

Abstract

It is of interest, especially in the developing world, to explore the feasibility of using motorcycles in applications beyond personal transport. In particular, adding an outrigger wheel to a motorcycle may increase its capabilities for heavier duty operations like road haulage and agricultural mechanization. This thesis examines the feasibility of using motorcycles for low-speed high-weight towing and outrigger like attachments. Two different configurations will be evaluated. The first looks at how the addition of a large trailer affects the turning ability, stability, and power delivery of a motorcycle. The trailer is modeled as a single body system consisting of a single axle and large load and to attached by a definable hitch mounted near the rear wheel of the motorcycle. The second case examines the attachment of an outrigger like structure. This is of interest to farm like vehicles that wish to simply support a tool over a set of wheels using a motorcycle Here the motorcycle and third wheel are modeled as a single body system with a long simply supported beam that has a load applied from the forces due to the side car. A MATLAB model detailing the ability, stability, and power delivery of a motorcycle was created to determine these performances.