Motorcycle simulators are becoming more real and cheaper with one Spanish company now promising to deliver an affordable simulator for your home so you can still race on a rainy day!
Motorcycle simulators began with amusement arcade rides and a video screen in front that reacted to the way you leaned, braked and accelerated on the “motorcycle” attached to a pivoting mount.
More expensive and sophisticated simulators are now being used my manufacturers to help develop their new models.
Recently British software company rFpro signed an agreement with an unnamed motorcycle manufacturer to supply the software to evaluate and develop chassis configurations quicker and cheaper.
Dutch simulator company Cruden uses a virtual reality head-mounted display and sells their expensive unit road safety organisations, universities and race teams.
Cruden motorcycle simulatorAnd one Californian BMW dealer is using a specially mounted motorcycle and virtual reality goggles. It allows non-riders to take a bike for a spin – even a wheelie – before buying or getting their licence.
BMW dealership offers virtual reality test ridesNow LeanGP of Valencia, Spain, is about to release an affordable motorcycle simulator for the home so you can pretend to be your favourite MotoGP star or extreme sports stunt rider.
As it even appears to be sitting on a lift table already, realism is further enhanced as you can better picture the moment when you will eventually get an actual ride of your own that you care for, not only simulating the experience of going on solo trips with it.
LeanGP co-founder Adria Saz Marti says the simulator has plug-and-play capability so it is ready to play right out of the box and will be fully compatible with Playstation, Xbox and PC.
There will also be the ability for riders to race against each other over the internet.
Adria says customers will also be able to customise their simulator to their needs.
They also promise to “extend realism” with “innovative accessories”, but there is no further explanation.
However, they do say the system has return force for lateral tilt, vibration etc, which sounds like a real counter-steering experience.
There is also no word yet on price or delivery dates, but we believe an announcement is imminent.