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Posted 6/5/2007 8:03:09 PM
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Can anyone explain rake and trail to me in non-gearhead terms. What it means in preformance and handling. I am trying to get as much information as I can before I purchase a bike
Thanks,
Nate
Post #166760
Posted 6/7/2007 12:53:35 PM


Supreme Being

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Simple-
Rake is how far the fork angles forward

Trail is how far the point where the wheel touches the ground is ahead of the steering head.

More complicated-
If you look at the bike from the side and draw a line straight down from the steering head to the ground, rake is the angle formed between this line and the fork on its path down to the wheel. Trail is the distance that the contact patch of the front wheel is ahead of the line where it hits the ground.

Imagine one of those big choppers with the front wheel way out in front of the bike. This has a large rake angle, and a long trail. Compare that to the F4 (or other sport bike), which has its wheel practically right under the steering head and handlebar, this has a small rake angle and short trail.

For the most part, a smaller rake angle, means a shorter trail.

What it means riding- The smaller the rake and shorter the trail, the easier and quicker it is to initiate turning the bike, but the less stable the steering is overall. This is why the F4 is easy to turn and goes fast in the twisties, compared to the chopper.

Also, try google.


K$
Post #166785
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