The vibrations generated in the two-wheeled vehicles like motorcycles due to road irregularities such as cracks, potholes, and bumps on the road cause discomfort for the rider as well as the pillion. These vibrations are reported to cause lower back pains, musculoskeletal effects, fatigue, and long-term health issues. Particularly, electric two-wheelers are more susceptible to these vibrations caused by the road and need attention. This paper presents an innovative technique for the reduction of vibrations at prominent locations in the electric two-wheeler to improve the rider’s comfort. All measured accelerations are about vertical direction (along z-axis as per ISO 2631-1 standard). Passive and Semi-active damping treatments namely, Room temperature vulcanizing Silicone rubber and Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) were applied on the test vehicle at strategic locations of vibration. Both were compared for their effectiveness in reducing the vibrations. Results showed that MRE based damping technique proved better vibration isolation at the strategic locations. The weighted root mean square acceleration as well as vibration dose values were found to decrease with the help of damping treatments thus improving the rider’s overall comfort level.

Background Two-wheeled vehicles are the major mode of transportation in India. Such vehicles are exposed to excessive vibration on the road when compared to four-wheeled vehicles. However, the research on the reduction of whole body vibration in the case of two-wheelers is not explored in detail. The present study predicts rider comfort in the case of an electric two-wheeler as per ISO 2631-1, by obtaining the finding the weighted acceleration at the strategic locations of vibration at the test rig. Methods An electric two-wheeler test rig is used in the study. The values of acceleration from the test rig in running conditions are obtained by using NI LabVIEW 2019. The drive cycle of the electric vehicle (EV) test rig is controlled by Sync sols’ EV lab software. Obtaining the weighted root mean square (RMS) acceleration from running the test setup, it is compared with the ISO 2631-1 standard to obtain the rider comfort. Results Loading area, traction motor, base mount, and suspension were found to be the strategic points of vibration. Frequency weighted RMS acceleration of 0.3 to 0.4 m/s2 obtained at these points are prone to cause discomfort for the rider. Vehicle speed, road profile, and duration of exposure were found to be important parameters affecting the rider’s comfort. A maximum of 4.6 m/s2 amplitude was observed. The loading area, which corresponds to a rider’s seat in actual vehicle, is important and reduction of these vibrations make the ride comfortable for the rider. Suspension and base mount of the test rig are found to be uncomfortable observing the weighted RMS acceleration. Conclusions A suitable damping technique design is very much essential in reducing these vibrations and improve the rider comfort, as many more non-deterministic vibrations are prone to cause dis-comfort in case of actual on road riding conditions.

The current work investigates the comfort of two-wheeler riders and compares the footrest vibration between an internal combustion-engine-based and electric two-wheeler. The Retrofit Hero Honda CD-100 two-wheeler is considered for the study and is further converted into the electric mode in the laboratory. Electric two-wheelers, even though they have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine-based two-wheelers, encounter vibrations that emerge from road excitations. Cracks, potholes, and irregular humps on the road are the major influencers of these vibrations. These vibrations, when they transfer to the human body, have been reported to cause major injuries to the human body in the long run. By performing several trials on actual road conditions, with both the rider as well as pillion, the vibration dose value is calculated at the footrest. Different scenarios, such as a random speed test, a 20 kmph speed test and a 30 kmph speed test, are conducted on the two-wheeler. The vibration dose value (VDV) method is used to analyze the rider’s comfort. A comparison is made between the internal combustion engine-based and electric-based two-wheeler to determine its comfort level at the footrest. It is found that the VDV as well as the RMS acceleration decreased considerably in the case of the electric two-wheeler when compared to the internal combustion engine-based vehicle. However, it is found that as the speed is increased, the vibrations increased as well. Hence, further scope is found for the improvement and inculcation of vibration damping at the locations where the vibrations are pronounced in order to improve the overall riding experience of a two-wheeler rider.

Background: Two-wheeled vehicles are the major mode of transportation in India. Such vehicles are exposed to excessive vibration on the road when compared to four-wheeled vehicles. However, the research on the reduction of whole body vibration in the case of two-wheelers is not explored in detail. The present study predicts rider comfort in the case of an electric two-wheeler as per ISO 2631-1. Methods: An electric two-wheeler test rig is used in the study. The values of acceleration from the test rig in running conditions are obtained by using NI LabVIEW 2016. The drive cycle of the electric vehicle (EV) test rig is controlled by Sync sols’ EV lab software. Obtaining the root mean square (RMS) acceleration from running the test setup, it is compared with the ISO 2631 standard to obtain the rider comfort. Results: Loading area, traction motor, base mount, and suspension were found to be the strategic points of vibration. RMS acceleration of 0.2 g to 3.29 g obtained at these points are prone to cause discomfort for the rider. Vehicle speed, road profile, and duration of exposure were found to be important parameters affecting the rider’s comfort. A maximum of 3.28 g amplitude was observed at the loading area at no load condition. The loading area, which corresponds to a rider’s seat in actual vehicle, is important and reduction of these vibrations make the ride comfortable for the rider. Suspension and base mount of the test rig are found to be uncomfortable observing the RMS acceleration. Conclusions: A suitable damping technique design is very much essential in reducing these vibrations and improve the rider comfort, as many more non-deterministic vibrations are prone to cause dis-comfort in case of actual on road riding conditions.

Background Two-wheeled vehicles are the major mode of transportation in India. Such vehicles are exposed to excessive vibration on the road when compared to four-wheeled vehicles. However, the research on the reduction of whole body vibration in the case of two-wheelers is not explored in detail. The present study predicts rider comfort in the case of an electric two-wheeler as per ISO 2631-1, by obtaining the finding the weighted acceleration at the strategic locations of vibration at the test rig. Methods An electric two-wheeler test rig is used in the study. The values of acceleration from the test rig in running conditions are obtained by using NI LabVIEW 2019. The drive cycle of the electric vehicle (EV) test rig is controlled by Sync sols’ EV lab software. Obtaining the weighted root mean square (RMS) acceleration from running the test setup, it is compared with the ISO 2631-1 standard to obtain the rider comfort. Results Loading area, traction motor, base mount, and suspension were found to be the strategic points of vibration. Frequency weighted RMS acceleration of 0.3 to 0.4 m/s2 obtained at these points are prone to cause discomfort for the rider. Vehicle speed, road profile, and duration of exposure were found to be important parameters affecting the rider’s comfort. A maximum of 4.6 m/s2 amplitude was observed. The loading area, which corresponds to a rider’s seat in actual vehicle, is important and reduction of these vibrations make the ride comfortable for the rider. Suspension and base mount of the test rig are found to be uncomfortable observing the weighted RMS acceleration. Conclusions A suitable damping technique design is very much essential in reducing these vibrations and improve the rider comfort, as many more non-deterministic vibrations are prone to cause dis-comfort in case of actual on road riding conditions.

Background Two-wheeled vehicles are the major mode of transportation in India. Such vehicles are exposed to excessive vibration on the road when compared to four-wheeled vehicles. However, the research on the reduction of whole body vibration in the case of two-wheelers is not explored in detail. The present study predicts rider comfort in the case of an electric two-wheeler as per ISO 2631-1, by obtaining the finding the weighted acceleration at the strategic locations of vibration at the test rig. Methods An electric two-wheeler test rig is used in the study. The values of acceleration from the test rig in running conditions are obtained by using NI LabVIEW 2019. The drive cycle of the electric vehicle (EV) test rig is controlled by Sync sols’ EV lab software. Obtaining the weighted root mean square (RMS) acceleration from running the test setup, it is compared with the ISO 2631-1 standard to obtain the rider comfort. Results Loading area, traction motor, base mount, and suspension were found to be the strategic points of vibration. Frequency weighted RMS acceleration of 0.3 to 0.4 m/s2 obtained at these points are prone to cause discomfort for the rider. Vehicle speed, road profile, and duration of exposure were found to be important parameters affecting the rider’s comfort. A maximum of 4.6 m/s2 amplitude was observed. The loading area, which corresponds to a rider’s seat in actual vehicle, is important and reduction of these vibrations make the ride comfortable for the rider. Suspension and base mount of the test rig are found to be uncomfortable observing the weighted RMS acceleration. Conclusions A suitable damping technique design is very much essential in reducing these vibrations and improve the rider comfort, as many more non-deterministic vibrations are prone to cause dis-comfort in case of actual on road riding conditions.