Towards identifying the roll motion parameters of a motorcycle simulator

• An experiment aimed to identify the roll motion parameters of a motorbike simulator.
• Motorcyclists tuned the angular rolls of the mock-up and of the visual scene.
• They exceeded the theoretical lean angles, but avoided leaning the mock-up beyond 10°.
• Heterogeneity was found in the direction of roll applied to the visual scene.
• Implications of the results for future motorcycle simulations are discussed.

This study aimed at identifying the roll motion parameters of a motorcycle simulator prototype. Experienced motorcyclists tuned the angular physical movement of the mock-up and that of the visual scene to achieve an optimal riding experience during curves. The participants exceeded the rolling angles that would be required in real-world riding, while avoiding leaning the mock-up beyond 10°. In addition, they were more influenced by the speed of the virtual motorcycle than by road curvature, especially in a wide field of view. Heterogeneity was found in the roll applied to the visual scene. The overall patterns suggest that at least when washout is not applied to remove the side forces that in real-world riding are compensated by a centrifugal force, greater roll of the visual at the expense of the mock-up is mandatory to avoid performance biases that might be enhanced due to fear of falling off the simulator. Future roll motion models must take into consideration factors such as riding postures, which might not only influence the forces operating on the rider-motorcycle system, but also how motorcyclists perceive the visual world.