Re: ABOUT NELSON: Finding solace in a gyroscopic world, March 6
Thank you for Donna Macdonald’s article on how amazing gyroscopes are and how equally impressive are the Gyro Clubs with their work.
Also intriguing is the most common gyroscope used worldwide that few know about. It is the front wheel of every motorcycle and every electric bike at speed.
Stability is provided, yes, but when steered a powerful force called precession comes into play that riders use to lean the bike over into the direction they want to go. Apparently the term “gyroscopic precession” is confounding enough that even rider training instructors avoid broaching the subject. Instead, students are taught “countersteering.”
Steering slightly in the opposite direction momentarily to the way you want to bike to go is intuitive to anyone who learned to ride a simple bicycle. Our brains figured that out even if we did not know why. Gyro forces are not felt at slow speeds even on a motorcycle but the faster it goes the more powerful they become.
Give a quick steering input to the left and the front wheel will “precess” and pull the bike down to a lean angle for a curve going right. The spinning wheel stays stable at its lean angle. Jerk the handle bars to the right and precession will pull the whole bike upright for the next straight.
Using the gyro effect in your bike’s wheel is one of the last analog experiences left and it is thrilling. Too bad most riders only know the thrill but not the why.
So how come the front wheels on a car don’t exhibit the gyro forces? Each does but the two are joined by a suspension and steering linkage, and cancel each other out.
You see, Donna, there is more to gyroscopes. Much more.
John Kemp
Balfour
