Motorcycle sliding friction for accident investigation

Erkenntnisse ueber Motorrad-Rutschverzoegerungen fuer Unfalluntersuchungen

The project reported in this paper aimed at producing information on the sliding behavior of motorcycles equipped with frame sliders. Frame sliders are often installed on sport and sport-touring motorcycles and are comprised of metal or plastic pucks designed to slide across the roadway to prevent damage to the fairings and frame. To examine whether the sliding friction factor of motorcycles equipped with frame sliders is lower than those without the feature data from real crashes was sought using current GPS technology. The subject research examined 15 actual crashes of motorcycles equipped with frame sliders and established the related drag factor using 5 and 10Hz GPS data acquisition systems. The crashes occurred during track days or races and many were also documented with on-board video, which was synchronized with the GPS data when available. 14 controlled tests were then performed with different motorcycles and the sliding friction values were determined using GPS data acquisition and traditional methods for validation. The GPS-based methodology produced drag factors consistent with previous research and was confirmed via controlled testing. It is shown that frame sliders do not lower the drag factor of a sport bike, but actually increase it. Sliding sport bikes equipped with frame sliders will behave more like a standard, non-faired bike, since the sliders prevent the nearby fairings from contacting the roadway. Moreover, a relationship between certain collision dynamics and the sliding friction became apparent. There will not always be an initial spike in the drag factor as the motorcycle contacts the road way. The behavior of the motorcycle prior to contacting the roadway must be considered. This research will help accident investigators more accurately quantify the pre-impact speed of downed motorcycles.

• Corporate Authors:

  Institut fuer Zweiradsicherheit (ifz) e.V.

  Gladbecker Str. 425
  Essen,   Germany  45329
• Authors:
  • Peck, L R
  • Focha, B
  • Gloekler, T L
• Publication Date: 2014

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 62-78
• Monograph Title: Sicherheit - Umwelt - Zukunft. Tagungsband der 10. Internationalen Motorradkonferenz 2014
• Serial:
  • Forschungshefte Zweiradsicherheit
  • Issue Number: 16
  • Publisher: Institut fuer Zweiradsicherheit (ifz) e.V.

Subject/Index Terms

• ITRD Terms: 1621: Accident reconstruction; 1631: Collision; 8525: Conference; 5473: Dynamics; 5452: Friction; 8125: Germany; 9142: Leisure; 1221: Motorcycle; 9142: Sport; 6255: Test
• Subject Areas: I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01645891
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt)
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 11 2017 10:52AM