Tank Slapper Save
- Thread starter Sushii
- Start date
holy crap....that was close...lol
cknowles
Well-known member
In this case, probably some uneven pavement and too tight a grip on the hand grips.
Though there could be a mechanical problem, worn bearings, loose steering head, misaligned forks etc can cause it.
Attempting to fight it actually makes it worse.
Good save though. I bet his heart hit 200 on that little ride!
Why would gripping the grip too tight cause a tank slapper? Would it make it more stable through bumps and uneven pavement?
cknowles
Well-known member
I don't quite understand all the physics of it, but a tight grip actually amplifies the tank slapper.
In order for it to recover you need to relax your grip and let the bike sort itself out.
I'm pretty sure they went into finer detail on A Twist of the Wrist.
Here's a great article describing what's going on in a tank slapper.
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showthreaded&Number=349125
In order for it to recover you need to relax your grip and let the bike sort itself out.
I'm pretty sure they went into finer detail on A Twist of the Wrist.
Here's a great article describing what's going on in a tank slapper.
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showthreaded&Number=349125
The bike has a natural tendency to correct its own steering and go straight, due to the contact point of the front wheel being slightly rear of the axis of rotation (i.e. trail). When you are trying to lock the bars in a position with your hands, it has the effect of amplifying steering oscillations because your arms will work like ****** springs instead of a rigid structure.
I think? I have a head cold.
Very cool article. Could save your bike (if you can remember it mid-slapper that is lol)
