Tankslappers are scary!

Flying Pig · October 16th, 2010, 06:14 PM

Housemate had one today.. and I just happened to have the GoPro on.. and facing backwards

dubojr1 · October 18th, 2010, 05:22 AM

Wow... did he run over something to cause it?

ally99 · October 18th, 2010, 05:35 AM

Good question! What in the world caused that? I couldn't see anything other than maybe a TINY groove in the road, but it sure didn't look enough to cause that!

Apex · October 18th, 2010, 05:43 AM

I put a fairing on my GS500 back when I had it. Anything over 90 would result in the bars working their way towards a tank slapper. There was one stretch of road I'd go on just for fun to get my "quick thrill". I'd rack up some speed and I'd start to feel it. It would get pretty far along before I brought it back in. Now when it happens (which is rare on my 250), I just react the same way I did back then and I have never had one go out of control on me.

I may be lucky too.

A gust of wind is what always caused mine. It was how the fairing was shaped. When wind hit it just right, the front end would lift up just slightly, causing the bar wobble. Sometimes it was pretty bad, others not so bad. 90% of the time I could feel it right before it happened and tapped the rear brake to keep the nose down.

That one looked like a difference in lane height. Where the tires of a car run, looks like it packed down the asphalt. To my eye (I wear glasses, so that isn't saying much) it appeared that he was running right between the two "elevations". May have hit a bump, causing front suspension compression, then made a steering input. Since the front was light, it may have slid slightly. Once the weight came back down it bit and caused the wobble.

Of course, that is only a hypothesis.

Flying Pig · October 18th, 2010, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ally99

Good question! What in the world caused that? I couldn't see anything other than maybe a TINY groove in the road, but it sure didn't look enough to cause that!

It would seem as if she hit the small grooves on the road. The tire got caught and tracked it.

(Picture taken from Andy of SBR)

Here is her personal response on another thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ObviousNinja

Seriously, going in straight line in the mellow group. I hit a bump then the front tire landed in a crack in the road and lost control of the front for a few seconds. I was pretty sure i was gonna eat it. Andy got it. Aww still a good ride today. No major incidents no speeding tickets.
:ride

highpsiguy · October 18th, 2010, 07:14 AM

Yet one more reason I carry "wet-ones" and extra pair of underwear on the bike. SERIOUSLY though I do carry tp. That looked scary. Never happened to me on the street, but has happened on a dirt bike or two.

rockNroll · October 18th, 2010, 10:10 AM

My first thoughts are that there's something wrong with that bike. Have it checked over.

2WheelGuy · October 18th, 2010, 10:27 AM

DaBlue1 · October 18th, 2010, 10:51 AM

Because the Ninja has narrow tires it is easy for it to do what some call tramming or tramlining. That is where the tire rides in and up or up and over a groove, making the rear or whole vehicle move from side to side or giving the feeling like it is.

spooph · October 18th, 2010, 11:07 AM

scary! No harm meant towards your friend, but it made me giggle. Just chillin, cruising, and then all of a sudden the bike has a conniption.... Good on your friend though! I saw that rear tire skip sideways quite a distance. I'm with Apex on this one. Although mine have never been as violent, I've experience such situations on the 250....

Flying Pig · October 18th, 2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

My first thoughts are that there's something wrong with that bike. Have it checked over.

I'll be going over the bike with her after we get some more free time. My first check was the forks at the seals, and they weren't leaking

Anyways, a local well-known rider has informed me on another forum that that spot is a popular "gotcha" zone, and the best way to avoid the incident is to avoid that particular part of the lane when riding there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryJ

Let me play detective and guess where this tankslapper occurred Solomon.

- Hwy 1, southbound, in a long straight, in righthand 1/3 of the lane, in the section after Gazos Creek Road, about half-way before getting to the Swanton Road junction.

Is that right??? :smilewink

If so, can't tell you how many folks I've seen hit that patch and get a white-knuckle tank slapper out of it. Knowing of it, I always make it a point of being on a line in the rightmost 1/3 of the lane, in that section. Smooth sailing there! :thumbup

Believe that Heidi (Mightslip's wife) had one of those "moments" in that spot on Hwy 1, a few months back when doing one of the Saturday group rides on her Ninja 250. :eek

TrueFader · October 18th, 2010, 03:43 PM

ya my bike threw me into a tank slapper from the road dots on the freeway. was scray ****. what was even worse tho is afterward i had to take the exit and i had no front brake from the pads separating. i've been told that if the bike isn't on it's way toward settling after the stops hit 3 times you're probably gonna go down. mine only hit 4.

bob706 · October 18th, 2010, 08:17 PM

That was a good save

peachdiddy · October 19th, 2010, 07:25 PM

Ahh yes. I had something similar to this happen to me due to a gust of wind. The ass slid out a bit, caught it, then to fight the wind I was riding at one hell of an angle. Everyone here's talking about crapping themselves, my cornhole could have stopped a missile I was so puckered! :S

CZroe · November 9th, 2010, 12:48 PM

Hmm. I get pulled into grooves all the time and it just tends to follow them.

October 16th, 2010, 06:14 PM	#1
Flying Pig Resident Lurker Name: Solomon Location: Bay Area, CA Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): R6, Strom, 250R, CH80 Elite Posts: 78	Tankslappers are scary! Housemate had one today.. and I just happened to have the GoPro on.. and facing backwards Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ When was the last time you checked your tire pressure?

October 18th, 2010, 05:22 AM	#2
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Wow... did he run over something to cause it? __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

October 18th, 2010, 05:35 AM	#3
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	Good question! What in the world caused that? I couldn't see anything other than maybe a TINY groove in the road, but it sure didn't look enough to cause that! __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

October 18th, 2010, 05:43 AM	#4
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	I put a fairing on my GS500 back when I had it. Anything over 90 would result in the bars working their way towards a tank slapper. There was one stretch of road I'd go on just for fun to get my "quick thrill". I'd rack up some speed and I'd start to feel it. It would get pretty far along before I brought it back in. Now when it happens (which is rare on my 250), I just react the same way I did back then and I have never had one go out of control on me. I may be lucky too. A gust of wind is what always caused mine. It was how the fairing was shaped. When wind hit it just right, the front end would lift up just slightly, causing the bar wobble. Sometimes it was pretty bad, others not so bad. 90% of the time I could feel it right before it happened and tapped the rear brake to keep the nose down. That one looked like a difference in lane height. Where the tires of a car run, looks like it packed down the asphalt. To my eye (I wear glasses, so that isn't saying much) it appeared that he was running right between the two "elevations". May have hit a bump, causing front suspension compression, then made a steering input. Since the front was light, it may have slid slightly. Once the weight came back down it bit and caused the wobble. Of course, that is only a hypothesis. __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

October 18th, 2010, 07:14 AM	#6
highpsiguy ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Athens Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1981 Honda Cx500 Custom, 2002 Ninja 250 Posts: 289 Blog Entries: 1	Yet one more reason I carry "wet-ones" and extra pair of underwear on the bike. SERIOUSLY though I do carry tp. That looked scary. Never happened to me on the street, but has happened on a dirt bike or two. __________________________________________________ "Rudeness is a weak persons attempt at strength."

October 18th, 2010, 10:10 AM	#7
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	My first thoughts are that there's something wrong with that bike. Have it checked over. __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

October 18th, 2010, 10:27 AM	#8
2WheelGuy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Craig Location: Silicon Valley, CA USA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '98 EX250, '02 EX250, '08 250r, '03 SV650, '98 GSXR750 '03 Hayabusa, '87 YSR50, '84 ZX900, +MORE Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________ CraigHarris.org Pacific Track Time CraigsWeb See you at 2014 MotoGP Laguna Seca! We'll be camping on Fox Hill. AFM #278

October 18th, 2010, 10:51 AM	#9
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Because the Ninja has narrow tires it is easy for it to do what some call tramming or tramlining. That is where the tire rides in and up or up and over a groove, making the rear or whole vehicle move from side to side or giving the feeling like it is.

October 18th, 2010, 11:07 AM	#10
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	scary! No harm meant towards your friend, but it made me giggle. Just chillin, cruising, and then all of a sudden the bike has a conniption.... Good on your friend though! I saw that rear tire skip sideways quite a distance. I'm with Apex on this one. Although mine have never been as violent, I've experience such situations on the 250.... __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.

October 18th, 2010, 03:43 PM	#12
TrueFader ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: California Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: 129	ya my bike threw me into a tank slapper from the road dots on the freeway. was scray ****. what was even worse tho is afterward i had to take the exit and i had no front brake from the pads separating. i've been told that if the bike isn't on it's way toward settling after the stops hit 3 times you're probably gonna go down. mine only hit 4.

October 18th, 2010, 08:17 PM	#13
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	That was a good save

October 19th, 2010, 07:25 PM	#14
peachdiddy Former ninjette rider Name: Andy Location: Hibbing, MN Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Honda CB1000R Posts: 121	Ahh yes. I had something similar to this happen to me due to a gust of wind. The ass slid out a bit, caught it, then to fight the wind I was riding at one hell of an angle. Everyone here's talking about crapping themselves, my cornhole could have stopped a missile I was so puckered! :S __________________________________________________ We've witnessed your human capacity for war. It would absolutely bring more harm than good.

November 9th, 2010, 12:48 PM	#15
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Hmm. I get pulled into grooves all the time and it just tends to follow them.

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