| Author | Message | ||
     Olinxb12r |
Well, with the incredibly warm winter we've had in KC there has been great riding weather, and now our first motorcycle fatality in Kansas City. A 21 year old guy on his Kawasaki 636 went down at one of the local bike spots. I don't know exactly what happened, but they said he went in to a tankslapper followed by being thrown from the bike in to a light pole. He suffered a broken neck and they attempted to life flight him to the hospital, but he didn't make it. I feel bad for his family and friends and I hope everyone will keep them in their thoughts. Please be safe guys and even though we are riding during the time of the year that we normally wouldn't be it is still important to pay attention and stay safe. | ||
| Daves |
That is too bad. My thoughts are with his friends and family. Be careful out there | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hate to hear about any body going down. My condolences to his friends and family | ||
| Buell_892 |
if you can, be sure to send the reguards of all of badweb | ||
| Rubdoggy |
that sux, i was looking into faster bikes, but now... could tank slappers happen at 100-110mph? | ||
| Cataract2 |
They can happen at any speed I would believe. Just depends on the circumstances. Although, I would feel that the more speed there is the higher the chance of it happening. (Message edited by cataract2 on January 30, 2006) | ||
| Rubdoggy |
thanks Cataract2, i better slow down... | ||
| Buell_892 |
yea, at high speeds if you encounter something that could cause you to break suddenly, the bike has a HIGH potential to go into a take slapper, specailly because XBs do not come with a damper, so you run a high risk of this happening Please ride safe | ||
| Buckstar |
Perhaps a silly question, What do you mean by tankslapper? Is it when you hit the brakes and your body moves forward onto the tank? New to the cycle world, please forgive my lack of knowledge. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
A tankslapper is when your bars "slap the tank" violently from one side to the other. On modern bikes it doesn't actually hit the tank, but I would assume that the term came from older bikes that the bars would actually touch the tank. It is a scary thing to have happen to you. I've had it happen on my Xb and on dirtbikes growing up. I've always found the best way to get through it is to lay on the throttle and hope it straightens out. This may seem crazy, but it gets the weight off of the front wheel and makes it easier to correct the problem. The most important thing is to stay calm and try to recover instead of getting scared and nailing the brakes. | ||
| Skyguy |
Buckstar, Based on your question about tank slappers I have to assume you are a new rider. If this is indeed true I urge you to seek out a MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) riding course. That course has been of benefit to everyone that has taken it. We have a lot of good advice on this board but it can not replace the hands on experience and real world riding tactics taught in a MSF course. Keep the rubber side down! | ||
| Buell_892 |
and to note on sky's comment... it will also more then likely lower your insurance if you take an EBATE course. lower insurance =  | ||
| Diablobrian |
hitting the front brake is the WORST thing you can do in a tank slapper. When forks compress front end trail decreases and front wheel stability goes down. The opposite effect (increased front end trail) is why rolling on the throttle helps correct the problem. Here is an article from sport rider that explains it in more detail. http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0310_art/ I also recommend an MSF course to all new riders. | ||
| Jackbequick |
Buckstar - You ever watch the MotoGP or SuperMoto on TV? The start of a tank slapper is that quick side to side front end wobble you see, usually when guys like Rossi are accelerating hard out of a turn with the front end still pretty light. If it worsens the bars can go lock to lock and if you get off the gas it can be a horrendous high side. Rumor has it that tankslappers are really hard on underwear and seat covers. The former get stained and the latter can get holes chewed in them by that muscle you normally sit on. Jack | ||
| Buellerx |
I went into a major tank slapper on my 89 V-MAXat around 140 MPH. I thought for sure I was dead. After that I added a steering damper, fork brace and replaced the front fork springs with Progressive Suspension springs. Oddly, the new springs helped the most. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Jbq.....It's true! I have proof! (well had)  | ||
| Krassh |
Oh my goodness I just received an email a few days ago about a co-worker in Kansas that lost her brother in a motorcycle accident and this was him. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/13744442.htm |
