tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post232507023734626490..comments2024-03-28T20:30:35.448+13:00Comments on Confessions of an Ageing Motorcyclist: Tankslappers, top boxes and the tremblesGeoff Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-20580042640770652532017-12-07T14:07:11.308+13:002017-12-07T14:07:11.308+13:00Hi Anon, thanks for posting!
Yep, there will be a...Hi Anon, thanks for posting!<br />Yep, there will be a slight transfer of weight. However, it's likely to be outweighed (no pun intended) by increasing steering input sensitivity. Whilst tankslappers can indeed be affected by weight redistribution (as per the position of topboxes), it's the dynamic characteristics whilst moving as opposed to pure weight or static position. Complex, innit?<br /><br />Many thanks for contributing!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-9819899563697250562017-12-07T12:25:56.468+13:002017-12-07T12:25:56.468+13:00I do realize this is a 5y old post, however...
......I do realize this is a 5y old post, however...<br />... you did mention about the lifted rear being a factor; rising the rear does modify the rake/trail, but shouldn't it also move more weight to the front? With the common element of most tank slappers appearing to be too little weight on the front due to top boxes and/or front unloading from acceleration. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-63097535207187714242012-10-30T19:43:39.755+13:002012-10-30T19:43:39.755+13:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.honda st1300 forumhttp://www.ozstoc.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-43967482369822770532012-05-18T07:41:24.161+12:002012-05-18T07:41:24.161+12:00Steve,
I was a little surprised too but as you rig...Steve,<br />I was a little surprised too but as you rightly say, learning makes you a little more prepared to meet all eventualities.<br /><br />Brenda,<br />Pleased that you found it informative. The Shadow won't be totally immune but the long wheelbase and decent fork rake makes it far less likely. You're right about the C of G and as long as you keep any top load from going too far aft of the rear axle, the risk is negligible. Hope you guys have a fantastic trip!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-54556152157956821402012-05-17T22:36:53.374+12:002012-05-17T22:36:53.374+12:00Thanks for a very informative, albiet scary, post ...Thanks for a very informative, albiet scary, post Geoff. I'm busy packing as much as I possible can on the shadow, but I'm hoping that the center of gravity thing will be alright with saddlebags and things strapped to the back seat as well, the Shadow has a low center of gravity anyway I think.Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06395364582355269753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-9161755923945722052012-05-17T21:57:50.927+12:002012-05-17T21:57:50.927+12:00Geoff
I'm really surprised here at all these e...Geoff<br />I'm really surprised here at all these experienced bike riders not knowing what a tankslapper is. I thought it would be much more common that riders would know a)what a slapper was and b) what causes are.<br /><br />Well i guess its never to late to learn something. The more riders know about their bikes and what can go wrong the better equiped they are to prevent or avoid these things. Good post.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-14970922902599657682012-05-17T08:33:14.642+12:002012-05-17T08:33:14.642+12:00Hi Rog,
A mate had a half-faired TL100S and one of...Hi Rog,<br />A mate had a half-faired TL100S and one of the stability problems that had was caused by the rotary suspension damping at the rear. The full fairing on the R model which Dylan mentioned and it's more aggressive geometry might have made it even worse. There sees little doubt that top boxes can adversely affect bikes which are otherwise fine.Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-65939214312240532842012-05-17T07:51:04.579+12:002012-05-17T07:51:04.579+12:00Great read Geoff, Interesting reading all the comm...Great read Geoff, Interesting reading all the comments. I thankfully have never had one, a few head shakes over wash board roads is as bad as it got. I do remember the TL1000 having a bad rep for it, although from experience it was fixed with a steering damper. It does more prevalent in certain models.Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12048736059922578612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-2586995234491142482012-05-17T07:10:29.320+12:002012-05-17T07:10:29.320+12:00Brad,
You too! Yep, no-one who has experienced it...Brad,<br />You too! Yep, no-one who has experienced it ever wants to do so again. Thanks for your contribution!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-90832941568650357602012-05-17T06:47:25.959+12:002012-05-17T06:47:25.959+12:00I had a tank slapper once and like Jules mentioned...I had a tank slapper once and like Jules mentioned it was on my '76 KZ900. Came out of a turn and accelerated hard not realizing the washboard road and put my heart into my throat. It happened so quickly that I must've have eased up on the throttle and she settled down but I never want to experience that feeling ever again. <br />The top box makes sense, more reason to use saddlebags/sidecases for the lower CofG instead. Thanks for the post, very informative.Troubadourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567767701065756330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-60132446319918328502012-05-16T19:57:11.586+12:002012-05-16T19:57:11.586+12:00Dylan me ol'mate!
Didn't realise that you ...Dylan me ol'mate!<br />Didn't realise that you nearly came to grief on your 'bird too. An underwear-changing experience, isn't it??<br /><br />I didn't realise that the TLR was prone - thought it didn't sell because it was so darned hard on the knees :-).Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-82903045311639849842012-05-16T19:51:09.156+12:002012-05-16T19:51:09.156+12:00Ah Geoff I had a nasty experience with the Bird gi...Ah Geoff I had a nasty experience with the Bird giving a violent head shake whilst riding down to the French Alps one up with Givi panniers and top box. It had such a profound effect on me that when I got back home I sold the hard luggage off on the Bird site and went back to soft throw overs. The Suzuki TLR1000 was famous for the tank slap hence it never really sold well (I almost said 'took off')Dylanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767788297417482616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-53166239540754111382012-05-16T19:10:21.088+12:002012-05-16T19:10:21.088+12:00Highside or the start of a tankslapper as it has a...Highside or the start of a tankslapper as it has a double kick?Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-84466403411544495062012-05-16T18:55:51.519+12:002012-05-16T18:55:51.519+12:00If it goes a bit far...
http://youtu.be/5J4fdc_G2...If it goes a bit far...<br /><br />http://youtu.be/5J4fdc_G2cAAndrew Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00716829007873864871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-72327956317006771742012-05-16T09:13:49.071+12:002012-05-16T09:13:49.071+12:00Hi Andrew!
Interesting about the Nikko Bakker &quo...Hi Andrew!<br />Interesting about the Nikko Bakker "fix" as I see that on Pan forums, it's still being discussed! I guess it's worse on police Pans with all their extra gear. Thanks for the feedback mate!<br /><br />Jules!<br />Didn't know that about the 900 Kwakkers thanks. I guess the ST1300's were really a development of the Pan and may have still carried the problem which Andrew mentioned.<br /><br />Hi Anthony!<br />I have soft luggage for the Street Triple (from the Blackbird)but always have the biggest weight on the seat. Most times, I don't carry much unless on tour.<br /><br />Looking forward to reading your blog in a few minutes! Nice to see you posting again.<br /><br />Hi Bob!<br />Yep, it's not really surprising how stability is affected by extra luggage. It would seem to get a real tankslapper, you need a set of marginal conditions like accelerating or decelerating hard, possibly in conjunction with a slippery surface, but they can occur without some of those factors being present.<br /><br />Brandy!<br />Hmmm... so it's not unknown on the Gladius either! A top box will certainly change the C of G but it's the centre of effort (think of it as a dynamic C of G) which really causes the damage as the forces change with speed. Rigid top boxes are really handy but I normally don't like their looks so I won't be buying one on those grounds alone!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-6022158730688729932012-05-16T03:32:22.000+12:002012-05-16T03:32:22.000+12:00Yikes. Haven't had one and don't want one...Yikes. Haven't had one and don't want one, thank you.<br /><br />Brad and I were just talking about this the other day. I saw on a Gladius forum where people were talking about steering dampeners to use on a Gladius and I asked him why they would want one. To which he replied - tank slappers.<br /><br />I didn't know about the top box potentially being an issue. For some reason I never though of them changing the center of gravity. <br /><br />Great information you have there Geoff. Thank you.Trobairitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-61779046939850631722012-05-16T03:27:53.761+12:002012-05-16T03:27:53.761+12:00Geoff:
I hope I never have a tankslapper, BUT whe...<b>Geoff:</b><br /><br />I hope I never have a tankslapper, BUT when Sonja and I were coming back from Oregon on I-5 just north of Longview, WA we were caught between an army of Truck Tractor Units. The highway was 3 or possibly 4 lanes, very busy road. They were going slightly faster than the speed limit and we were caught in their wind draft, making our bikes shudder in their wake. Trucks on both sides we attempted to pass them so we could be in front of their airstream. V-stroms with side cases are known to have the "sailboat" effect and catches the wind. It was a real struggle with the buffeting. Not really a tankslapper, but really close with all the shaking going on. Once we were in front it was smooth sailing<br /><br />bob<br /><a href="http://www.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Riding the Wet Coast</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14805736@N04/" rel="nofollow">My Flickr</a> // <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/bobskoot" rel="nofollow">My YouTube</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05258612401956399482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-15386371023711124462012-05-16T02:05:20.855+12:002012-05-16T02:05:20.855+12:00Hi Geoff,
Great post!! That video is amazing, ...Hi Geoff, <br /><br />Great post!! That video is amazing, scary, but the rider did so well to hang on for as long as he did! I've never had a tank slapper, (and hope to never experience it!) I have a top box on my V-Strom, but really prefer to ride without it, and use my Kriega tail-bag strapped to the seat instead. The bike handles better without the top box.<br /><br />Got to see the new Harley today!! It's soooo beautiful and I've posted some pics on my blog. Enjoy the week.<br /><br />cheers mate.Anthonyhttp://anthonyparker1.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-83136736747026218132012-05-15T22:49:40.239+12:002012-05-15T22:49:40.239+12:00Geoff, the early 1970's Z900 Kawasaki's we...Geoff, the early 1970's Z900 Kawasaki's were (in)famous for it. One of my mates totaled one and thereafter always referred to his main injury as his "Kawasaki" elbow. Fortunately I've never experienced one - hope it stays that way.<br /><br />If I recall correctly, there was an issue with the Honda ST1300 in Police configuration developing a nasty weave at around 100 mph.Tarsnakes Down Underhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04859439380216890525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-64710117173613341672012-05-15T21:51:25.686+12:002012-05-15T21:51:25.686+12:00Hi Geoff ...good to see you here again after your ...Hi Geoff ...good to see you here again after your "holiday"<br /><br />Tankslappers !!! Now there's a subject we could talk about for years with no outcome / solution at the end<br /><br />Tyres , suspension , wheel bearings etc etc ..TOP boxes and the likes ?<br /><br />Having experienced one bad one..way back in 1970's on my then new T160 Triumph , NOT something you wish for everyday for sure ....it turned out to be a front wheel bearing ..completely SHOT.<br /><br /><br />My Honda X11 ..I have also raised the rear suspension for that quicker turn in , and so far ( 35,000 miles since installation ) no issues<br /><br />Honda Pan 1300 ..after years of weaving , Police Bikes withdrawn.. Nico Bakker from Holland has finally cured it , with the installation of two small metal strips into the screen set up.<br /><br />So , we just need to be sure we try to remain calm and "in control" of the bike should we ever experience this awful event<br /><br />Keep up the great posts Geoff<br /><br />AndrewAndrew X11https://www.blogger.com/profile/18088859021299645542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-49680947938574960682012-05-15T21:40:36.821+12:002012-05-15T21:40:36.821+12:00Hi Steve!
So you're a member of the brown trou...Hi Steve!<br />So you're a member of the brown trouser brigade too! Yeah, a short wheelbase like the R1 with a decent load and under acceleration is like poking the devil with a stick! Thanks very much for the experience-sharing, real instances are valuable learning.Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-19500299064406969772012-05-15T20:42:21.422+12:002012-05-15T20:42:21.422+12:00Excellent post Geoff. It looks like there are a fe...Excellent post Geoff. It looks like there are a few riders amongst us that don't know what a tankslapper is.<br /><br />I still remember my first big tankslapper vividly and it made me price a steering damper the next day. My bike being a R1 sportsbike is probably not as rare as other type of bikes for this type of thing.<br />My brother and I were on our way to Tassie for the week and we were riding up Brown Mountain in southern NSW. We had our gear racks and bags on just like in your pic of the blackbird.<br /><br />Its a tight twisting mountain road and I was following my brother on a slight uphill incline just coming out of a tight right hander that had a bumpy surface.<br />There was a car and caravan coming the other direction, I just started accelerating out of the bend(about 50-60kmh) leant over when the front started to slap. Slightly at first then it quickly developed into a major slapper where I came up out of the seat and was looking over the screen until it actually ripped the bars out of my hands at which point the bike decelerated and came back under control by itself.<br /><br />Needless to say that scared the crapper out of me for the next couple of bends and I took it fairly easily.<br /><br />SteveStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-63647230040332323772012-05-15T19:17:51.923+12:002012-05-15T19:17:51.923+12:00Hi Andrew and thanks so much for another perspecti...Hi Andrew and thanks so much for another perspective on the issue. I think that the Blackbird can be a bit sensitive with a heavy pack (altered ride height notwithstanding)because the fairing blade doesn't deflect the air as high as some other sport tourers. I've heard that Bandits are not immune from it either.<br /><br />Cheers......Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-86304921312906558512012-05-15T19:02:33.020+12:002012-05-15T19:02:33.020+12:00Perhaps a comment for the newer riders - I had my ...Perhaps a comment for the newer riders - I had my one and only full blown tank slapper while still a noob on my XS250. It happened when I pulled over on the highway to let cars past (stupid NZ rule that limits learners to 70km/h - just damn dangerous in my opinion) and ran into a really nasty tar snake. The bars shook like mad and I still don't know how I got out the other end...<br /><br />Since then I've only had the odd head shake when punting more sporty bikes (RF900 and VTR1000) hard out of corners. The front tends to get light and if you hit a wee bump you might get a bit of a shake going on - something is telling you to ease up a tad. Push any harder and you might get into a proper slapper...The narrower handle bars on these sorts of bike also mean you need more effort to hand on.<br /><br />Never had any issues on my bikes with Top boxesAndrew Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00716829007873864871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-47035315041974149672012-05-15T18:40:57.788+12:002012-05-15T18:40:57.788+12:00Hi Dar - long time no hear, hope all is well.
It&...Hi Dar - long time no hear, hope all is well.<br /><br />It's a pretty rare phenomenon, I've only experienced 2 in the last 3 decades albeit close together so the chances are low. Much as you might have preferred not to know about it, the knowledge may well be useful to someone! A good time to wish you safe travelling I guess!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.com