SkonMatayatana

Question about your BikeLean picture.

In this picture, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BikeLeanForces3.PNG, I want to understand the term (mv^2)/r at center of mass. Why is this term at center of mass? Wouldn't this term negate friction force and make centripetal force zero? SkonMatayatana (talk) 17:58, 18 May 2013 (UTC)

As the caption under the picture in the bicycle and motorcycle dynamics article attempts to explain, (mv^2)/r is an inertial force that appears in the non-inertial reference frame that is accelerating with the bike. It acts at the center of mass because it is an inertial force caused by the acceleration of the center of mass. In this non-inertial reference frame, the bike is at equilibrium in a steady-state turn, so yes, (mv^2)/r is equal and opposite to the friction force. -AndrewDressel (talk) 00:48, 20 May 2013 (UTC)