Handlebars and foot controls 90% finished

[doubledragoncc]

Hi guys, have you tried the Honda system, I have and the guys that supply my bike parts have too and we all think its useless for racing sims and will cost more!!! I am working on the MX version as quickly as I can and hope to have picks next week. I will be putting the pivot point where you all want it so it feel right for MX and have come up with a new rider lean control method for all systems with seats and forward/backward by single switch for non-seated versions. I have posted some pics at the following site as am having problems embedding them here? Please let me know how you feel about the looks of it so far. Thanks to all that post reply's, it helps to get your input.

http://insidesimracing.tv/forums/viewto ... 108&t=1868

[yzmxer608]

Looks pretty cool. What kind of seat will it be, just like a barstool top type thing?

[doubledragoncc]

There will be a solo seat with a back-pad ( incorporating rider forward/backwards lean switching ) looking like the tail of a race bike for road version and I am still thinking how to do it for MX considering the looks, but I will offer different seats if a customer wants.

[yzmxer608]

Ah ok, sounds like it'll be pretty cool .

[cpt_Slow]

Just one more suggestion, I don't know if you are just using them for the prototype but the PTM and PTB switches that you are using in my experience are a little imprecise. Something with a more definite ON/OFF feel like a tactile switch would give a better quality finish and feel I think for a final product. Tactiles are cheaper to buy than the switches you currently use but would need a little work to implement, as in they need some kind of actuator to be user-friendly but you could easily mount a load on a PCB and just have a single connector to them all. Swings and roundabouts I guess on cost effectiveness and I'm sure you have weighed up the advantages of both.
Again, love what your doing here and I appreciate you listening to everyone's input.

[doubledragoncc]

Hi Cpt Slow, thanks again for your input, I have also thought about tactile and you are correct about the feel. I am not happy with the chaep ones I used but that was to keep cost down but I am more concerned about quality. I also think I will definitely be using load cells for the brakes and maybe the clutch too, I have LC amps so will be trying it out. Back to the tactile switches, they are a definate and I would like to incorperate a POV hat too.

[Red619]

Whats the cost looking at right now. I know you need to look at everything in the end and determine what is a good price for you to feel that your making a good enough profit. Just looking for some kind of ball park figure if you have one. If not I understand. I like the foot peddles, looks pretty trick

[doubledragoncc]

Hi Red. Thanx for the question. At the moment due to not buying in bulk, still getting quotes etc. A system costs be roughly $300+ US. I am just changing certain materials and production methods in order to make them better, lighter, more reliable but also cheaper in cost. These systems are quite complex in the actual production and very time consuming, just wiring at the moment takes a whole day to do but will be made simpler for the future. I intend to make a standard system but will custom build if wanted. My actual trade is custom bike design and fabrication, including frames. When you look at the cost of wheel and pedal systems and know how simple they are and then see my systems and realize they come with a stand and screen or laptop stand in stock form, the complexity of design and time to produce I do not think I will be able to go below $300. If I can I will, I want this to be as affordable as possible for as many of you guys as possible. The sit on versions will be more but I hope by only $100 at most if possible, seats are expensive but I can make them if possible too. I hope this gives you an idea of what you will be paying now or if things pick up and I get enough orders I can start to cut prices bit by bit. On the theme of ordering, at present time a system will take 2 weeks to be built and delivered in the USA.

[scheeve3]

wow that looks so cool. When it's ready, will you gonna sell it in Europe to? Or arent you getting a pattent on this?

[doubledragoncc]

Hi Scheeve3, yes I am working on a patent and yes I will sell all over the world. I am just redesigning the stand units to be lighter but as strong as possible. This one is strong enough that I can put a 40" screen on it and stand on it and it wont wobble a mm !!! I am trying to ensure shipping costs are as low as possible an ease of putting it together is child's play.

[JP37R]

Not sure what I am getting at here, it seemed so clear when I was thinking about it, but anyway. The way mxsim is configured right now steering and leaning are combined as a combined physics model and this makes the reverse steering at slow speeds very pronounced and difficult to get used to. That being said, here is my incomplete idea, seperate steering and lean axis where countersteering would feel more natural and at slow speeds you could lean into the direction of the steering for a more natural feel. (see illustration) although I began thinking this may feel a little awkward without some sort of gyroscopic effect to self right and provide forces of feeback for the steer-lean bike mixtures (if that makes any sense) yeah, it seemed so clear but when I began sketching out this picture my mind started spinning at how to make a setup like this feel somewhat realistic when using it. Hopefully I can clarify my idea into a picture of words as I think about it more so I can effectively communicate my vision.

[doubledragoncc]

OK JP, I see what you mean, but as I explained elsewhere on the forum (look for all about handlebar controls) you must remember I am designing a system for all to use and you cannot mix the real world forces of nature with a static control system or it get VERY expensive. I am working on the MX system now and rider control is a major part of it. Keep checking back for updates and thanx for the input.

[totorox]

I red JLV saying unlinking steer from rolling isn't possible in MXS, or maybe to much work, but I'm thinking to do a controller too, and I hope he will find a way to do it finally.
My first bad impression from MXS is it's the best mx simulation but you have to buy a 'arcadish' gamepad to play ! I think he made it to work with game-pad or keyboard only, try a better input like Joystick or Wheel and you will understand... It's not possible to play with 3rd view for me, and I have to tweak the stab setting a lot to have a better feeling but it isn't perfect. You can try it and maybe improve it if you like:

Code: Select all

stability=17.000000
leveling=25.000000
roll_damping=46.500000
roll_limit_angle=52.000000
roll_limit_factor=1.250000
steering_damping=49.000000
steering_strength=99.000000
max_steering_force=975.000000
direct_steering=1.000000
slow_damping_speed=42.000000
slow_damping_factor=1.250000
land_damping_falloff=0.106250
land_damping_factor=1.425000

ps: Force feedback could be amazing in MXS, steering/rolling based on power applied on the handlebar should be makable.

[doubledragoncc]

Hi to all. Josh was kind enough to call me the other day, thanx Josh, much appreciated and explained that all rider movement is fully analog programmable, so I am working on another design for the rider control too. I am trying to keep things as simple as possible to make it affordable and think the best way to do it is have upgrade components, such as a seat unit incorporating the rider control system. Its all a bit slow at the mo as money is tight but will keep on till I get it right for you MX guys too.

[totorox]

Do you know how you will do for the Lean and sit/unsit features ? And he's told you if the vertical axis (sit) can be analog ? It could be a great feature.