Definitions by razer
center of mass
The point in a system of bodies or an extended body at which the mass of the system may be considered to be concentrated and at which external forces may be considered to be applied. Also called barycenter or centroid.
In general, an object with a lower center of mass is more stable. This explains why weebles wobble but they don't fall down.
center of mass by razer December 26, 2006
motorcycle roadracers
Participants in the sport and art of motorcycle roadracing. Contrary to popular opinion, most are not wreckless and do not have a death wish, but rather tend to be methodical, analytical and reasonably cautious. Motorcycle roadracing doles out severe physical punishment to those who ride beyond their abilities, and so wreckless tendencies are weeded out in short order. Having said that, it must also be noted that all motorcycle roadracers share an insatiable and inexplicable need for speed.
motorcycle roadracers by razer December 26, 2006
trail braking
Late braking technique used by expert motorcycle roadracers in which the brakes continue to be applied beyond the point at which the motorcycle has been leaned over and has entered the corner. Trail braking is used primarily to delay the onset of braking for a particular corner as long as possible, and thereby overtake another rider. The technique requires a great deal of finesse and skill in order to avoid the loss of front wheel traction, which usually results in a low side crash.
Any attempt at trail braking by a novice rider, although usually unintentional, almost invariably results in a low side crash.
trail braking by razer December 26, 2006
high side
Motorcycle roadracing term used to describe a crash in which the bike is leaned over while cornering and flips back up towards the outside (i.e. the high side). A high side usually occurs when rear wheel traction is suddenly lost and the rider's panic causes him to abruptyl close (chop) the throttle. As a result, the rear wheel suddenly and forcefully regains traction, violently flipping the bike away from the direction of lean and throwing the rider skyward. Most racing injuries occur as a result of a high side since the rider has much further to fall.
The flip side of this (no pun intended) is a low side crash. These crashes are usually minor since the rider falls off much closer to the ground.
The flip side of this (no pun intended) is a low side crash. These crashes are usually minor since the rider falls off much closer to the ground.
cornering
Term used to describe the act of riding a high performance motorcycle through a corner (or curve) of a closed race track or road course. An expert rider is able to corner his machine at high velocity by increasing the lean angle of the motorcycle while at the same time hanging off of the machine, a technique that is often accompanied by knee dragging.