Stability has to do with angular momentum. Spinning wheels have angular momentum. The bike will be vertically stable because tipping causes the angular momentum vector to tilt up. In order to conserve angular momentum, the bike has to rotate in the horizontal plane (about a vertical axis). But the friction of the two wheels on the road prevents a rotation of the bike about a vertical axis.mrwabba said:I herd an argument about a motorcycle that said at a dead stop could a motorcycle balance while turning 15,000 RPM? I know while riding the object being in motion along with the tires rotating keep the motorcycle on 2 wheels. My question is could the engines turning force keep it balanced? The engine is mounted so it rotates parallel to the wheels so it does add some balance and it’s not trying to throw the bike to one side.
Rotational weight, also known as rotating weight, refers to the weight of a rotating component on a vehicle or object. This can include wheels, tires, gears, and other moving parts. Dead weight, on the other hand, refers to the weight of stationary objects such as the body or frame of the vehicle. The main difference between rotational weight and dead weight is that rotational weight can affect the performance and handling of a vehicle, while dead weight primarily affects its overall weight and fuel efficiency.
Rotational weight can have a significant impact on the acceleration, braking, and handling of a vehicle. This is because the heavier the rotating components, the more energy is required to move them, resulting in slower acceleration and longer braking distances. Additionally, rotational weight can affect the vehicle's balance and stability, making it more difficult to control at high speeds or on uneven surfaces.
In most cases, dead weight has a greater impact on fuel efficiency than rotational weight. This is because rotational weight only affects the vehicle's performance during acceleration and braking, while dead weight affects its overall weight, which can impact fuel consumption. However, reducing rotational weight can still lead to slight improvements in fuel efficiency, especially in high-performance vehicles.
One way to reduce rotational weight is by using lightweight materials for rotating components, such as carbon fiber or aluminum. Another method is by decreasing the size or number of rotating components, such as using smaller wheels or thinner tires. However, it's important to strike a balance between weight reduction and maintaining the necessary strength and durability of these components.
While reducing rotational weight can improve a vehicle's performance in terms of acceleration and handling, there are some potential downsides. For example, using lightweight materials may increase the cost of production and maintenance, and reducing the size of rotating components can also affect the ride quality and comfort of the vehicle. Additionally, reducing rotational weight too much can compromise the overall durability and safety of the vehicle.