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View Full Version : Tank slapping fun for everyone!



T-Bag
04-20-2008, 09:01 PM
Fvck, I've had several scary moments over the last couple of days with my machine. On heavy acceleration, a few seconds after shifting from second to third (around 100-110mph) my front end gets so friggin light and would start throwing the bars in a mild tank slap. Friends behind me (the second time this happened) thought I was going down for sure...but I rode it out.

This started to concern me, as it was the second time it happened in a couple of days, so I went home and did some reading on suspension/fork tuning and what might be causing my problem. Turns out the rebound dampening adjustments were WAYYY out of wack. I'm talking the left fork was nearly 4 turns out and the right fork was only about 1 turn out. So I tuned the suspension based off of some recommended settings and hopefully this solves my problem. I also had to adjust the compression dampening on top of the forks a little bit.

Tank slapping is scary as shit, especially after happening several times. I think its also time to invest in a steering stabilizer.

Junky Giorgio
04-21-2008, 01:52 AM
Indeed it is time to invest in a nice steering stabilizer. This happened to me late last fall while on my brothers 636 ninja driving down Bluemound rd when I clicked about 120mph and hit a bump in the road and caused a nasty tank slapper. My buddy slowed down behind to get ready to pick me up off the ground, but I saved it and $h*t my pants. That being my 1st time back on a bike since my crash at Road America in last July that ended up in a high side...and maybe my last time on a bike.

ND4SPD
04-21-2008, 07:05 AM
Nice save... can't say I've ever had the misfortune of experiencing a tank slapper.

juicedimpss
04-21-2008, 08:10 AM
make sure the steering head bearings are adjusted properly as well.

Crawlin
04-21-2008, 08:55 AM
not fun...

had one way back on the gixxer thinking I was in 2nd to clutch up a stand up going down I94 but i was really in 3rd and i bounced it a bit to get it up and bam, into a tank slapper. sat back down and gave it a little gas to get the weight off the front end a bit and rode it out. like you guys have said, scariest shit in the world. immediately(without even getting off the bike) i went to motorsports factory and ordered the scott's dampner

Breecher_7
04-21-2008, 04:35 PM
Stabilizer FTW.... I wont ride without one.

juicedimpss
04-21-2008, 04:41 PM
Stabilizer FTW.... I wont ride without one.

pvssy
:banana1:

Breecher_7
04-21-2008, 04:53 PM
pvssy
:banana1:

I guess so...... :rolf

forest
04-21-2008, 08:42 PM
I just start getting it in 5th gear at 11500 rpm on the Kawi. I have no idea how fast I am actually going but I just stiffen up and hold the throttle open right where its just wigglin a little bit haha.

sloLs1
04-21-2008, 08:52 PM
Stabilizer FTW.... I wont ride without one.



hell yea... touching down wheelies over 120pmh gets kinda scary at times!


when that death wobble begins you gotta sack up and grab motor throttle!

Josepy
04-22-2008, 11:03 AM
Every rocket that I have ever owned the first thing I did was put a steering stabilizer on it.