Comments on: Trilean – Tilting Gold Wing Enclosed Trike

By: Lean&Mean

Lean&Mean — Sun, 17 May 2009 15:06:24 +0000

This probably does need a computer to control the lean because there’s no way to counter steer it into leaning. It would have to steer like a car – totally unintuitive and alien to any biker.
Also, most of the weight is on the trike back end so doesn’t move. Another serious problem is all the weight and only one front brake. No thanks it wont lean properly and it wont stop.
If it had been built like the Piaggio MP3 with two front wheels that camber change to tilt, it would quite possibly work just like a normal bike. All bikes steer by moving the tyre contact patch under the centre of gravity. The bike’s own weight and cornering forces cause the lean.
Once under way, the all-up weight will really make little difference. But at low speeds and during quick left/right flicks, the steering will be HEAVY indeed.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:50:32 +0000

The general motors “Lean Machine” did it better almost 30 years ago.

By: C.J. Luke

C.J. Luke — Sun, 20 May 2007 13:26:18 +0000

It’s ugly as sin!

By: GenWaylaid

GenWaylaid — Sat, 19 May 2007 06:45:01 +0000

Maybe the reason it needs computer-controlled lean is simply because it’s so heavy. I can’t even imagine using my weight to tilt what is easily a 1000+ lb machine while sitting inside of it.

It seems to me like the control law that determines the tilt angle would be relatively simple. All you need to do is make some sort of plumb-bob sensor and feed back its angle through a PD controller. That way, the bike automatically leans to align its vertical axis with the combination of gravity and cornering forces. Maybe you could find an appropriate sensor and controller already built for you inside a Segway.

By: coho

coho — Sat, 19 May 2007 03:53:29 +0000

Maybe if the canards were linked to the steering…
That might help (at speed, anyway).