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CourseMotorcycles & 2-Wheelers Applications open

Motorcycle geometry fundamentals course

Online course of 300 hours in motorcycle geometry fundamentals. 6 modules covering fundamental geometric parameters, stability and manoeuvrability, dynamic geometry, adjustments and configuration, and design and calculation tools, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Define the geometric parameters of a motorcycle.

02

Relate geometry to stability and manoeuvrability.

03

Analyse how geometry varies under braking and acceleration.

04

Calculate anti-squat and its effect on traction.

05

Adjust geometry to suit the intended use and the rider.

06

Use geometry calculation tools.

07

Propose the geometry of a motorcycle for a specific use.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Motorcycle chassis engineers working on frames and swingarms.
  • Suspension technicians who need to understand geometry changes.
  • Motorcycle designers defining new models.
  • Motorcycle race engineers adjusting set-up at the track.
  • Motorcycle test riders who translate feel into technical feedback.
  • Motorcycle builders and tuners modifying production bikes.
  • Engineering and science graduates aiming to join motorcycle manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 6725:1981 (motorcycle dimensions, terms and definitions)
  • ISO 8855:2011 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary)
  • Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 (type approval of L-category vehicles)
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014 (vehicle construction requirements)
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014 (vehicle functional safety)
  • ISO 4130:1978 (three-dimensional reference system)
  • BikeSim
  • MATLAB
  • Microsoft Excel
  • SolidWorks
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Wheelbase
  2. 1.2Rake angle
  3. 1.3Trail
  4. 1.4Triple clamp offset
  5. 1.5Centre of gravity height
  6. 1.6Weight distribution
  7. 1.7Swingarm angle and squat
  8. 1.8Wheel radius and its effect
  9. 1.9Reference system and terminology
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: measuring the geometry of a real motorcycle
  1. 2.1Gyroscopic effect of the wheels
  2. 2.2Countersteering and corner entry
  3. 2.3Lean angle and speed
  4. 2.4Self-stability of the steering
  5. 2.5Relationship between trail and stability
  6. 2.6Speed of direction change
  7. 2.7Influence of mass and inertia
  8. 2.8Wobble oscillation mode
  9. 2.9Weave oscillation mode
  10. 2.10Case study: comparing a sports bike and a cruiser
  1. 3.1Geometry variation under braking
  2. 3.2Fork dive and loss of trail
  3. 3.3Extension under acceleration
  4. 3.4Anti-squat and chain pull
  5. 3.5Swingarm pivot height
  6. 3.6Effect of preload
  7. 3.7Geometry with the motorcycle leaned over
  8. 3.8Tyre profile and contact patch displacement
  9. 3.9Calculating geometry in motion
  10. 3.10Lab: calculating anti-squat with different sprockets
  1. 4.1Eccentric triple clamps and offset adjustment
  2. 4.2Fork height in the triple clamps
  3. 4.3Rear ride height via linkage or shock
  4. 4.4Swingarm length and chain tension
  5. 4.5Tyres with different profiles
  6. 4.6Set-up for track and road
  7. 4.7Settings according to rider weight
  8. 4.8Logging geometry changes
  9. 4.9Track testing and rider feedback
  10. 4.10Workshop: geometry adjustment for a fast circuit
  1. 5.1Geometry spreadsheet
  2. 5.2Motorcycle dynamics simulation software
  3. 5.3Simplified multibody models
  4. 5.4Sensitivity analysis
  5. 5.5Comparison of production motorcycle geometries
  6. 5.6Geometry of scooters and adventure bikes
  7. 5.7Geometry of electric motorcycles
  8. 5.8Homologation constraints
  9. 5.9Technical documentation of the geometry
  10. 5.10Case study: geometry of a mid-size adventure bike
  1. 6.1Definition of the motorcycle type
  2. 6.2Usage requirements
  3. 6.3Initial geometric parameters
  4. 6.4Static geometry calculation
  5. 6.5Dynamic geometry analysis
  6. 6.6Planned geometry adjustments
  7. 6.7Comparison with benchmarks
  8. 6.8Design conclusions
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is BikeSim, MATLAB, Microsoft Excel and SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: measuring static geometry on a real motorcycle, calculating anti-squat and adjusting geometry for a circuit. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ISO 6725:1981, ISO 8855:2011, Regulation (EU) No 168/2013, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014, ISO 4130:1978.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 6725:1981, ISO 8855:2011 and Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:BikeSim, MATLAB, Microsoft Excel and SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a geometry proposal for a motorcycle with a specific use, from initial parameters and static calculation to dynamic analysis and planned adjustments, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Motorcycle type and use
Define the motorcycle type and its usage requirements.
Initial parameters
Set the starting wheelbase, rake, trail, offset and weight distribution.
Static geometry
Calculate the static geometry with a spreadsheet or simulation tool.
Dynamic analysis
Analyse geometry under braking, acceleration and lean, including anti-squat.
Final project
Present the planned adjustments, benchmark comparison and design conclusions, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Motorcycle Chassis EngineerSuspension TechnicianMotorcycle DesignerMotorcycle Race EngineerMotorcycle Test RiderMotorcycle Builder
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with BikeSim, MATLAB, Microsoft Excel and SolidWorks, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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