The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 88
From: Manchestah NH
The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Ok, another noob post. I'm just starting to get up there with the wheelies but, My question is, I've heard a bit about and seen a few tank slappers but i'm wondering, what are the main causes, and how best can you avoid them (besides not doin wheelies) ? Do i really have to worry alot about it if I'm not rockin the 12's or the freeway stuff? Sorry in advance if this has been answered a million times before, but i figure I better ask now. 
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 686
From: Denver, CO
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Tank slappers are a common problem with sport bikes it all has to do with the aggressive rake or the front end, the tighter the rake the quicker, more responsive and better feel comes from the front end. However, yes they tank slap.
Why- whenever you unload the front end (by us sueually wheelies) and the steering gets crossed up, as said above. This also happens all the time at tracks or twisty roads when you accararate at the apex and your front end lightens because as you come out of the corner your front suspension unloads combined with the accelaration lifts the fron and essentially wheelies out of the turn you can cause a major tank slapper too. In fact useually worse.
Why they are a hazard- the front end wobble is actually never dangerous what is, is your reaction to it. See, your motorcycle will automatically correct a tank slapper without any help at all even severe ones. The back tire remains constant so when the front wants to dance around on you the driving wheel will push it straight, the next time your at the grocery store watch peoples shopping carts, without a doubt you will see one with a wobbly front wheel, the reasone for the wobbly wheel is because it's higher than the rest of the wheels so as it skims the ground it thrashes from side to side, exactly what happens when you set a wheely down with the bars slightly crossed up.
So what causes the crash. very simple it's a matter of force transfered or conducted. When you have a tank slapper your automatic response will be to "GET CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE RIGHT NOW" so what you'll do is vice down on the bars when you do that you become a conductor and that front end wobble is transferred through your rigid body directly to the rear tire. Once that happens now you have two wheels out of control and the driving wheel is now unable to push the front one straight resulting in either a crash or a rider with soiled pants.
There are two ways to correct this, and I highly recomend both of them used together.
One as said above a steering damper, I personally recomend the scotts but there are a lot out there to choose from just make sure you ask around because you don't want to cheap out when it comes to this item. A steering damper is simply a buffer that "kills front end wobble" useually by use of a hydrolic fluid so when the bars suddenly ossilate the damper tightens up and nutralizes the wobble without transferring it to the rest of the bike.
Two- be consious or this and practice becoming a better rider. A really good way to practice what to do in that situation without endangering yourself is find a grooved road that is under construction. Most riders hate grooved roads because it causes an uneasy drifting sensation. it is almost exactly like a mini tank slapper. Notice the differance (it will be slight but you should feel it) when your on a grooved road and you ride really stiff with your arms viced onto the bars and when you are loose and relaxed.
I really hope this helps. when i learned about this stuff it made me so much of a better rider.
Why- whenever you unload the front end (by us sueually wheelies) and the steering gets crossed up, as said above. This also happens all the time at tracks or twisty roads when you accararate at the apex and your front end lightens because as you come out of the corner your front suspension unloads combined with the accelaration lifts the fron and essentially wheelies out of the turn you can cause a major tank slapper too. In fact useually worse.
Why they are a hazard- the front end wobble is actually never dangerous what is, is your reaction to it. See, your motorcycle will automatically correct a tank slapper without any help at all even severe ones. The back tire remains constant so when the front wants to dance around on you the driving wheel will push it straight, the next time your at the grocery store watch peoples shopping carts, without a doubt you will see one with a wobbly front wheel, the reasone for the wobbly wheel is because it's higher than the rest of the wheels so as it skims the ground it thrashes from side to side, exactly what happens when you set a wheely down with the bars slightly crossed up.
So what causes the crash. very simple it's a matter of force transfered or conducted. When you have a tank slapper your automatic response will be to "GET CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE RIGHT NOW" so what you'll do is vice down on the bars when you do that you become a conductor and that front end wobble is transferred through your rigid body directly to the rear tire. Once that happens now you have two wheels out of control and the driving wheel is now unable to push the front one straight resulting in either a crash or a rider with soiled pants.
There are two ways to correct this, and I highly recomend both of them used together.
One as said above a steering damper, I personally recomend the scotts but there are a lot out there to choose from just make sure you ask around because you don't want to cheap out when it comes to this item. A steering damper is simply a buffer that "kills front end wobble" useually by use of a hydrolic fluid so when the bars suddenly ossilate the damper tightens up and nutralizes the wobble without transferring it to the rest of the bike.
Two- be consious or this and practice becoming a better rider. A really good way to practice what to do in that situation without endangering yourself is find a grooved road that is under construction. Most riders hate grooved roads because it causes an uneasy drifting sensation. it is almost exactly like a mini tank slapper. Notice the differance (it will be slight but you should feel it) when your on a grooved road and you ride really stiff with your arms viced onto the bars and when you are loose and relaxed.
I really hope this helps. when i learned about this stuff it made me so much of a better rider.
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 686
From: Denver, CO
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
It will help to give it gas, but if you got to concentrate on one thing and one thing only losen the death grip,,,much more effective, if it's out of control and your first thought is gas depending on what the rear tire is doing you might make it worse, also I dunno about you but generally when I hit the gas I tense up a little.
But in thoery you are completely right getting more driving force to push the front straight will help.
But in thoery you are completely right getting more driving force to push the front straight will help.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 88
From: Manchestah NH
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Thanks for all the great info. Grabbing the bars and wrestling the bike is probably the first thing I would have done just as a natural reaction. Understanding the physics of it helps a lot. Hopefully I don't have a tank slapper anytime soon but if i do, maybe I've got a better chance of not bustin my azz!
Peace
Peace
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 686
From: Denver, CO
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
No problem man, and just remember, you may want to look into a steering damper as well. go to www.hardracing.com they are really good with getting back to you on questions and thier prices are useually awesome on steering dampers.
I Enjoy Posting At StuntLife!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
From: cali
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
WOW i know all that stuff you just explained about loosening up but you made it SSOOOOO clear its not even funny. im going to have to explain it like that to all my friends cuz they think i just talk ****. ive never been bothered when getting slappers and i knew to relax & give it gas but you sound like a college professor with that answer 
im seriously impressed 
im seriously impressed 
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 420
From: Norwalk, CT
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
i foudn a website $5 cheaper tahn hard racing, but ordered my dmaper form hard racing today at 4pm and it even wnet out today!!!
what left me blown away was they asked me for my email so they coudl send me a tracking number, #1 in my book man, usually tracking #'s are a pain for some peopel but nope, $422 to my door with security bolts :YEAH
what left me blown away was they asked me for my email so they coudl send me a tracking number, #1 in my book man, usually tracking #'s are a pain for some peopel but nope, $422 to my door with security bolts :YEAH
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 427
From: pittsburgh, PA
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Originally Posted by RetroRockit
Ok, another noob post. I'm just starting to get up there with the wheelies but, My question is, I've heard a bit about and seen a few tank slappers but i'm wondering, what are the main causes, and how best can you avoid them (besides not doin wheelies) ? Do i really have to worry alot about it if I'm not rockin the 12's or the freeway stuff? Sorry in advance if this has been answered a million times before, but i figure I better ask now.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 88
From: Manchestah NH
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Originally Posted by xRR-riderx
learn how to set it down easy, and make sure the wheel is straight.. maybe get a dampener if ur bike doesnt have one, im not sure if early gixxers have em.. i had a few minor tankslappers comin down from highway wheelies, just dont be heavy on the bars, and give it a little gas and it should straighten itself out...
www.ChicagoRiders.com
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,911
From: Chicago, IL
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Originally Posted by KungFu954
Tank slappers are a common problem with sport bikes it all has to do with the aggressive rake or the front end, the tighter the rake the quicker, more responsive and better feel comes from the front end. However, yes they tank slap.
Why- whenever you unload the front end (by us sueually wheelies) and the steering gets crossed up, as said above. This also happens all the time at tracks or twisty roads when you accararate at the apex and your front end lightens because as you come out of the corner your front suspension unloads combined with the accelaration lifts the fron and essentially wheelies out of the turn you can cause a major tank slapper too. In fact useually worse.
Why they are a hazard- the front end wobble is actually never dangerous what is, is your reaction to it. See, your motorcycle will automatically correct a tank slapper without any help at all even severe ones. The back tire remains constant so when the front wants to dance around on you the driving wheel will push it straight, the next time your at the grocery store watch peoples shopping carts, without a doubt you will see one with a wobbly front wheel, the reasone for the wobbly wheel is because it's higher than the rest of the wheels so as it skims the ground it thrashes from side to side, exactly what happens when you set a wheely down with the bars slightly crossed up.
So what causes the crash. very simple it's a matter of force transfered or conducted. When you have a tank slapper your automatic response will be to "GET CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE RIGHT NOW" so what you'll do is vice down on the bars when you do that you become a conductor and that front end wobble is transferred through your rigid body directly to the rear tire. Once that happens now you have two wheels out of control and the driving wheel is now unable to push the front one straight resulting in either a crash or a rider with soiled pants.
There are two ways to correct this, and I highly recomend both of them used together.
One as said above a steering damper, I personally recomend the scotts but there are a lot out there to choose from just make sure you ask around because you don't want to cheap out when it comes to this item. A steering damper is simply a buffer that "kills front end wobble" useually by use of a hydrolic fluid so when the bars suddenly ossilate the damper tightens up and nutralizes the wobble without transferring it to the rest of the bike.
Two- be consious or this and practice becoming a better rider. A really good way to practice what to do in that situation without endangering yourself is find a grooved road that is under construction. Most riders hate grooved roads because it causes an uneasy drifting sensation. it is almost exactly like a mini tank slapper. Notice the differance (it will be slight but you should feel it) when your on a grooved road and you ride really stiff with your arms viced onto the bars and when you are loose and relaxed.
I really hope this helps. when i learned about this stuff it made me so much of a better rider.
Why- whenever you unload the front end (by us sueually wheelies) and the steering gets crossed up, as said above. This also happens all the time at tracks or twisty roads when you accararate at the apex and your front end lightens because as you come out of the corner your front suspension unloads combined with the accelaration lifts the fron and essentially wheelies out of the turn you can cause a major tank slapper too. In fact useually worse.
Why they are a hazard- the front end wobble is actually never dangerous what is, is your reaction to it. See, your motorcycle will automatically correct a tank slapper without any help at all even severe ones. The back tire remains constant so when the front wants to dance around on you the driving wheel will push it straight, the next time your at the grocery store watch peoples shopping carts, without a doubt you will see one with a wobbly front wheel, the reasone for the wobbly wheel is because it's higher than the rest of the wheels so as it skims the ground it thrashes from side to side, exactly what happens when you set a wheely down with the bars slightly crossed up.
So what causes the crash. very simple it's a matter of force transfered or conducted. When you have a tank slapper your automatic response will be to "GET CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE RIGHT NOW" so what you'll do is vice down on the bars when you do that you become a conductor and that front end wobble is transferred through your rigid body directly to the rear tire. Once that happens now you have two wheels out of control and the driving wheel is now unable to push the front one straight resulting in either a crash or a rider with soiled pants.
There are two ways to correct this, and I highly recomend both of them used together.
One as said above a steering damper, I personally recomend the scotts but there are a lot out there to choose from just make sure you ask around because you don't want to cheap out when it comes to this item. A steering damper is simply a buffer that "kills front end wobble" useually by use of a hydrolic fluid so when the bars suddenly ossilate the damper tightens up and nutralizes the wobble without transferring it to the rest of the bike.
Two- be consious or this and practice becoming a better rider. A really good way to practice what to do in that situation without endangering yourself is find a grooved road that is under construction. Most riders hate grooved roads because it causes an uneasy drifting sensation. it is almost exactly like a mini tank slapper. Notice the differance (it will be slight but you should feel it) when your on a grooved road and you ride really stiff with your arms viced onto the bars and when you are loose and relaxed.
I really hope this helps. when i learned about this stuff it made me so much of a better rider.
you have some of the best posts on SL
if you ever get bored...PLEASE check out my local forum www.ChicagoRiders.com its a forum like this one designed for locals!! (there are 100's of people from other states) we have lots of M/C related topics(stunters/track riders/street riders) that you would be valued to have on there (for us..lol) :YEAH
I Chose to No Longer Post
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,284
From: people get shot here
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
KungFu will know what I'm talking about here:
Coming off I-25 onto Santa Fe about a month ago they had grooved roads with huge potholes, I didn't realize it, came off I-25 doing 70 leaned pretty far, saw the potholes and straightened the bike up but still hit one and went into a tank slapper. I kept my arms loose as a goose and let the steering damper work its magic. I'm pretty sure I kept the throttle on too but I'm not positive.
My point is I wasn't even scared at all it wasn't even a big deal I rode home without thinking about it. It would have sucked if I went lock down on the clip ons and went off the road though.
Coming off I-25 onto Santa Fe about a month ago they had grooved roads with huge potholes, I didn't realize it, came off I-25 doing 70 leaned pretty far, saw the potholes and straightened the bike up but still hit one and went into a tank slapper. I kept my arms loose as a goose and let the steering damper work its magic. I'm pretty sure I kept the throttle on too but I'm not positive.
My point is I wasn't even scared at all it wasn't even a big deal I rode home without thinking about it. It would have sucked if I went lock down on the clip ons and went off the road though.
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 686
From: Denver, CO
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Hey Fellas,
Thanks so much for all the compliments!!!!
I enjoy writing these posts, and just know that I am not really a prideful guy so I won't ever give any advice about something I don't know.
So Gsxr7502001 and R6bbie thanks a ton! I will check out that furum today!
now all I need is to ride out that damn wheelie
Thanks so much for all the compliments!!!!
I enjoy writing these posts, and just know that I am not really a prideful guy so I won't ever give any advice about something I don't know.
So Gsxr7502001 and R6bbie thanks a ton! I will check out that furum today!
now all I need is to ride out that damn wheelie
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 686
From: Denver, CO
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
Hey FHL I know exactly where that is, Sante Fe sucks for riding (especially since they moved Grand Prix). and ya a pot hole can cause a tank slapper any unexpected hit can. Colorado is pretty notorous for bad roads.
FHL,,, what the hell were you doing down there?? Don't tell me you were going up to the conoco or the proving grounds.
Yer gonna get busted at those spots. Sh*t I almost did last year, thankfully I got outa there without a ticket.
Get a couple guys and go find a differnt spot, oh and I know you live in Highlands ranch so stay away from that Movie theater too, Douglas County is all over that place. even in un-marked cars
FHL,,, what the hell were you doing down there?? Don't tell me you were going up to the conoco or the proving grounds.
Yer gonna get busted at those spots. Sh*t I almost did last year, thankfully I got outa there without a ticket.
Get a couple guys and go find a differnt spot, oh and I know you live in Highlands ranch so stay away from that Movie theater too, Douglas County is all over that place. even in un-marked cars
I Chose to No Longer Post
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,284
From: people get shot here
Re: The Dreaded Tank Slapper
I was following this guy to conoco that I found stunting where I usually do, and he was going to the Conoco. I don't go down there though I was talking with him a bit. How did you know where I stunt is right by AMC24? I don't really go there much though cause I don't wanna get hurt and be laying htere for hours.
