Physics of Motorsports: Seat Bounce Debate

[ProMed]

Hello,

There has been an ongoing debate on several motocross message boards over the last few months regarding the physics behind a "seat bounce" (pictured below). It has even lead to the creation of a discussion board in the last two weeks called www.seatbounce.com.

I am not here to spam this board since I have no affiliation other than I am looking for Physics experts to help solve this problem. Performing a seat bounce allows a rider to fly both farther and higher than just hitting the jump/ramp while standing. Some guys are saying it is caused by the springs rebounding propelling the rider other says it is from the COG being lower allowing more traction, and others are saying it is from "springs" in the riders arms/legs.

http://www.seatbounce.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19

The thread above is the most recent debate opened up and hopefully one of you experts could help end this once and for all!

Thank you!
Paul

http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/content/images/nov04/111604KG9V3119sm.jpg http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/content/images/nov04/111604KG9V3120sm.jpg http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/content/images/nov04/111604KG9V3121sm.jpg
http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/content/images/nov04/111604KG9V3122sm.jpg http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/content/images/nov04/111604KG9V3123sm.jpg http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/content/images/nov04/111604KG9V3124sm.jpg

 

[ProMed]

Could anyone help out with this?