Difference Between a Rake and a Caster
When designing a car or motorcycle, the manufacturer will consider the caster and rake angles of the vehicle. The caster and rake angles deal with different aspects of the vehicle, but both are important in determining how it will perform.
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Definition
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Caster angle is the angle between the vertical axis and the suspension attached to the wheel base. Rake is the angle between the vehicle and the horizontal axis of the ground. If the back is higher than the front, you have positive rake. If the front is higher than the back, you have negative rake.
Considerations
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Caster angle is considered more when designing a motorcycle for aesthetic purposes, as the suspension angle is visible. Rake angle is considered in every land-based vehicle, as rake affects how aerodynamic your vehicle will be.
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Enhanced Castor
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Some motorcycles, such as chopper models, have an enhanced caster to give the motorcycle the distinct chopper look. However, the enhanced caster angle makes it more difficult to turn the suspension and the wheel base.
Decreasing Rake
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Many car manufacturers consider adding a rear spoiler to their vehicles to decrease rake and push the car harder into the ground. While this does not improve how aerodynamic the car is, it adds traction to the tires, allowing for higher performance.
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References
- Photo Credit Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
