Sensibilization of a motorcycle simulator to the effects of the roll motion: Modelling and experimental validation

When riding a motorcycle, the applied steering torque and the lateral rider body movement influence its trajectory. Reproducing the effect of body and motorcycle roll on a simulator would improve its realism. However, this goal is still challenging, especially on low-complexity simulators such as the MOVING simulator of the University of Florence. In order to achieve this result, this study defined a control logic to introduce steering effects linked with the mockup passive inclination operated by the rider. The logic computed a roll-related steering input consisting of equivalent steering torque. This contribution was added to that the rider exerted on the handlebar. A validation test with participants revealed improvements over the baseline, roll-insensitive approach, especially in stationary and medium-high speed manoeuvres. Interestingly, the riders unconsciously tended to use larger mockup roll angles as the roll sensitivity increased. The logic was optimised for stationary manoeuvres; however, the subjective feedback provided by the participants indicated a good level of riding realism also during transients. This simple and effective logic opens the way for new methodologies to improve the realism of motorcycle simulators, encouraging their development and use.