Single-track vehicles electronic control systems
have been experiencing an important growth in the last years.
Despite some similarities with four-wheeled vehicles the dynamics
of two-wheeled vehicles have some unique features
that require ad hoc solutions. One of those is the lift of
the front wheel from the ground during severe accelerations,
usually known as wheelie. This phenomenon is particularly
important since, if not controlled, can lead to vehicle instabilities.
Moreover, it has a significant impact on the vehicle
longitudinal speed estimation, essential for the development of
wheel slip-based traction control systems, so widely spreading.
In this paper the problem of detecting a wheelie occurrence is
discussed. Two algorithms, that employ only standard vehicle
equipment sensors, are presented. Their parameter tuning
procedure is described and experimental data are used to show
their effectiveness, as well as for a performances comparison
