Steering Ratio

Steering ratio refers to the ratio between the turn of the steering wheel (in degrees) or handlebars and the turn of the wheels (in degrees).

The steering ratio, is the amount of degrees you have to turn the steering wheel, for the wheels to turn an amount of degrees. In motorcycles and bicycles, the steering ratio is always 1:1, because the steering wheel will always follow the wheel. x:y means that you have turn the steering wheel x degree(s), for the wheel(s) to turn y degree(s). In most passenger cars, the ratio is between 12:1 and 20:1. Example: If one complete turn of the steering wheel, 360 degrees, causes the wheels to turn 24 degrees, the ratio is then 360:24 = 15:1 (360/24=15).

A higher steering ratio means that you have to turn the steering wheel more, to get the wheels turning, but it will be easier to turn the steering wheel. A lower steering ratio means that you have to turn the steering wheel less, to get the wheels turning, but it will be harder to turn the steering wheel. Larger and heavier vehicles will often have a higher steering ratio, which will make the steering wheel easier to turn. If a truck had a low steering ratio, it would be very hard to turn the steering wheel. In normal and lighter cars, the wheels becomes easier to turn, so the steering ratio doesn't have to be as high. In race cars the ratio becomes really low, because you want the vehicle to respond a lot quicker than in normal cars. The steering wheel will also become a lot harder to turn.