This might be a dumb topic for some of the faster guys but I want to be sure.
Does a bike handle better in 2nd gear at 80mph in a higher rpm VS a higher gear like 4th gear and lower rpm at the same speed of 80mph.
I gather that gyroscopic forces will want to stand the bike up so this logic would indicate that the highest rpm possible should always be used while cornering.
On the other hand, higher rpms are more susceptible to rider error when the bike is in the meat of the powerband where it is easier to lose traction due to abruptness.
What are your thoughts on this?
To play it safe especially at track days, I've always used a gear higher than usual.
With higher engine speeds you will have more crankshaft inertia to deal with, unless it is a reverse rotating crank like the Yamaha M1. Ideally you will want to have enough RPM so the bike will drive off the corner. It is fun to experiment with higher torque bikes and see if you can corner a gear higher and not lose time on a lap.
Experimenting with both ways and measuring lap times will tell you what works best for that particular track. 600's will need to be kept spun up all the time though.
Inertial and centrifugal force of the crankshaft will only have an effect when turning the bike. It will resist. Steady state cornering will not be affected.
Generally accepted is that it is preferrable to have some "rpm in hand" while riding aggressively so as to have instant deceleration or acceleration available to you. Keeps you surfing the torque/hp wave and eliminates any peaks and valleys in power production which could have a disastrous effect if you get a big spike of power while leaned over exiting a corner. Yes, you need to have a sensitive throttle hand.
Asking a physics question on an M/C board is like starting an oil thread.
FWIW, I say using a higher gear is a bad idea. First, you get no drive. Second, if you have a whole lot of throttle twisted in on corner exit (to get your drive) and you lose traction for a moment, when the tire catches up to the throttle your next thoughts may go something like this. Dirt, sky, dirt, sky, di..ouch. Even more so in the wet. OTOH, you don't want to be bouncing off the limiter as soon as you pick up the throttle, so "rpm in hand" is a good way to put it.
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I gather that gyroscopic forces will want to stand the bike up so this logic would indicate that the highest rpm possible should always be used while cornering.
Higher RPM tends to keep the bike at whatever lean angle you are at, meaning it's harder to turn quickly but more stable at constant lean angle. In my experience, a bigger factor is compression braking - high RPMs tend to slow you down more quickly off-throttle. Riding my old 750, I really had to chuck it in to every turn, engine screaming and slipper clutch slipping, in order to maintain momentum and have enough RPM at the exit to drive out. I would have carried more entry and midcorner speed by going up a gear, but I would have been too low to drive out quickly. Here is where big twins have some advantage - you can enter relatively low in the RPM range and still drive out at the exit without much penalty.
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98 Black Ducati 748/800 (street)
99 Black Ducati 996 (race)
Discussion on Handling and RPM
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