[ST] for Matt - cornering traction

[don draper <donnydogood@xxxxxxx>]

 >>> the reason the lighter bikes "carry more cornering speed
than a liter class bike" is the weight.  There is less weight being
pulled out (the centrifugal force) and thus less force acting on the
tire at the same speed as a heavier mass/bike.  Thus, a higher speed
can
be held to bring the tire up to its traction threshold <<<

    Actually, footprint pressures (the weight of the vehicle divided
by the footprint areas in terms of lbs. per sq. in.) are what govern
max traction in corners,... all other factors being equal.  The
difference in footprint area of the lighter bikes is usually a lesser
percentage than the difference in weight.  Race cars can always
out-corner bikes because their footprint pressures are so much less,
due not so much to the extra two tires as to the fact that the whole
width of each tire is in contact with the pavement, instead of just
the edge. 
                                                  doggydoo

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