Tankslapper!

Originally Posted by northwind

There's that many different things that can cause it that there's no one fix, I think. What everyone agrees is don't fight it once it's going. Don't really see how you could, myself, I could barely keep my hands on the bars.

You're right if its a propper tankslapper there's no way you can hang on for more than a few seconds. When i wrote off my first SV i managed to hang on for a few lock to locks, next thing i knew i was thrown over the front of the bike and flying through the air. I expect i probably ended up twisting the throttle as i was trying to hold the bars, therefore decreasing my chances even more.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by SV1000s

I always laugh when I read 'tankslapper'.

Did your wrists break, did your bar ends smash the sh*t out of the tank...?

No?

You had a slight wobble, a head shake, a 'moment' NOT a tankslapper.

At the risk of jumping on you If it goes lock to lock, it's a tankslapper. You can't describe that as a "slight wobble" Break your wrists? Very rare. SVs and most modern bikes have solid lock stops preventing the tank from being hit, is all. If I'd had a broken lock stop, or different GSXR yokes, I would have put some nice dents in teh tank, would that make it a "real" tankslapper?

But I agree, most people say "ooh, had a slapper" when it's just a quick bar flap going over a ridge or whatever.

Funnily enough, car racers refer to tankslappers too

Never had a TS when I raced? Maybe I was too good.

What I meant was that he had a head shake, not a tankslapper (stop to stop). As for broken wrists, I know of a few ex racers that have had broken wrists from TS in the 'good old days' of racing, before dampers etc.

I have only heard of one PROPER TS on the 1000 and that was infront of me at Llandow 2 years ago, it hit the stops 3-4 times and the guy came flying off. The guy did admit that he had 'fiddled' with the damper though.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by SV1000s

What I meant was that he had a head shake, not a tankslapper (stop to stop).

Gotcha If that annoys you, stay off all Ninja forums "Had 3 tankslappers going to work, one at lunch while parked, then another 4 on the way home"

As the guys have said Rob, a little bit of head shaking under power is fun as compared with the delights of a true tank slapper! You can play around to make the head shaking happen but a tank slapper gives no warning.

I have never experienced a true slapper,(he he he)but would like to think I would just hopefully let it sort itself out. No guarantee that will work though.

Since it's a resonant phenomenon you can stop it by either relaxing on the bars, gripping the bars tightly, adding a bit of front or rear brake, etc. Anything to change the stiffness of the steering. Of course, this works with headshake. A full tankslapper is not as easy to stop because of the forces involved. Best to tuck down flat and try to ride it out.

alright guys, maybe it was just the start of one but twas still the first time this had happened. I wouldnt fancy a lock to lock i couldnt imagine getting out of one.

[Dave20046]

Jesus christ.
I don't think I ever want to ride again

Originally Posted by Dave20046

I don't think I ever want to ride again

The SV doesn't tank slap, no need for a damper either, so you will be alright.

I've had lots of slappers in my time but none of them have been called tank, though it would have probably been appropriate in some cases.