Speed wobbles on Highway

Heffdan · May 17th, 2012, 04:44 PM

So a couple of days ago I was cruising along the highway, Long story short I wanted to see what was going to happen if i "wiggled" the steering (Yeah I know) anyways of course a bit of a "speed wobble" occurred. Nothing bad followed and i simply corrected it but what worried me the most was how "easy" I managed to do it... And it made me wonder if i kept going would it turn uncontrollable and into a real tank slapper? And if that happened are you pretty much effed?

DevinWolfe · May 17th, 2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heffdan

And it made me wonder if i kept going would it turn uncontrollable and into a real tank slapper? And if that happened are you pretty much effed?

Yep, you die.

alex.s · May 17th, 2012, 04:49 PM

about equivalent of asking "i wonder what happens when i crank the steering wheel" in a car

NinjaBoyEddy · May 17th, 2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinWolfe

Yep, you die.

Need new tires

better performance for high speeds.
I might be selling a pair of battlax bt45 tired rear is 140/70/17
Front is stock size

Heffdan · May 17th, 2012, 04:54 PM

Man I hate dying. The stocko tyres are pretty slippery anyway, feels like I cant trust them for anything in a lean. Or maybe I just don't trust myself

ThFreakNRican · May 17th, 2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heffdan

are you pretty much effed?

I don't think you'd be completely effed, I've heated stories of some guys surviving some pretty crazy tank slappers. You can also look some pretty crazy ones up on YouTube.

I'm no expert or anything but I believe they say you should NOT try to correct it if you find yourself in one. I think they say that if you try to hold the handle bars still it will only cause the bike to start to wiggle beneath you possible causing you to wipe out. I would just try my best to wait it out and the bike should correct itself.

Heffdan · May 17th, 2012, 05:01 PM

So I have heard "Having a loose grip" on the handlebars is the key

xSean13 · May 17th, 2012, 05:05 PM

^^

Not sure about the speed wobbles, but riding in general definitely so. Especially, as I noticed, while riding on bad surfaces.

Story:
They are repaving the road on my way to work, and it is currently a horrendous grooved surface. Instead of fighting it, I just let the bike go where it goes (in my lane), swerving & what-not, and put my weight more towards the rear.

Boom King · May 17th, 2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heffdan

So I have heard "Having a loose grip" on the handlebars is the key

Definitely, plus don't forget proper forearm and wrist positioning.

Toly · May 18th, 2012, 12:41 PM

I had one, and then some others had it, too. Search, it's all here.

thomason2wheels · September 13th, 2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

about equivalent of asking "i wonder what happens when i crank the steering wheel" in a car

Trust me when i say i dont trust you :-) :-D:-P i cant speak for jiggles, but i am totally hetero....i know about 50 women that can verify that

csmith12 · September 13th, 2012, 07:35 PM

If your riding techniques are not causing this wobble; tight grip on the bars, loose arms, nothing else funky, then we can can look at your hardware.

Check the following;

Tires in good shape?
Tires at proper psi or your preference psi?
Tires balanced?
Rotor warped?
Brakes dragging?
Wheel straight?
Fork stem nuts to torque specs?

Also it's a 250, seams in the road or areas of pavement where they have used the stripper can cause a wobble among other things like bumps and such.

KKim, a legend here had them, there is a huge thread on his where everything was explored. It would serve you well to search and find that thread.

Also, if you have a full blown tank slapper, don't fight it. Do you best to roll off the throttle and let the bike settle down.

Good luck finding your issue.

menikmati · September 13th, 2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Also, if you have a full blown tank slapper, don't fight it. Do you best to roll off the throttle and let the bike settle down.

Agreed.

I've never had a tank slapper, but I think it should be emphasized that you should roll off the throttle and not chop it.

csmith12 · September 14th, 2012, 04:16 AM

I have had one on the track, let's just say it's easier said than done.

Malicious Logic · September 14th, 2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

about equivalent of asking "i wonder what happens when i crank the steering wheel" in a car

My thoughts exactly. I realize you were just testing it but not sure why the results surprised you.

May 17th, 2012, 04:44 PM	#1
Heffdan ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Gods Country - Australia Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 42	Speed wobbles on Highway So a couple of days ago I was cruising along the highway, Long story short I wanted to see what was going to happen if i "wiggled" the steering (Yeah I know) anyways of course a bit of a "speed wobble" occurred. Nothing bad followed and i simply corrected it but what worried me the most was how "easy" I managed to do it... And it made me wonder if i kept going would it turn uncontrollable and into a real tank slapper? And if that happened are you pretty much effed?

May 17th, 2012, 04:49 PM	#3
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	about equivalent of asking "i wonder what happens when i crank the steering wheel" in a car __________________________________________________

September 13th, 2012, 07:35 PM	#12
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	If your riding techniques are not causing this wobble; tight grip on the bars, loose arms, nothing else funky, then we can can look at your hardware. Check the following; Tires in good shape? Tires at proper psi or your preference psi? Tires balanced? Rotor warped? Brakes dragging? Wheel straight? Fork stem nuts to torque specs? Also it's a 250, seams in the road or areas of pavement where they have used the stripper can cause a wobble among other things like bumps and such. KKim, a legend here had them, there is a huge thread on his where everything was explored. It would serve you well to search and find that thread. Also, if you have a full blown tank slapper, don't fight it. Do you best to roll off the throttle and let the bike settle down. Good luck finding your issue. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

September 14th, 2012, 04:16 AM	#14
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	I have had one on the track, let's just say it's easier said than done. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

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May 17th, 2012, 04:54 PM	#5
Heffdan ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Gods Country - Australia Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 42	Man I hate dying. The stocko tyres are pretty slippery anyway, feels like I cant trust them for anything in a lean. Or maybe I just don't trust myself

May 17th, 2012, 05:01 PM	#7
Heffdan ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Gods Country - Australia Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 42	So I have heard "Having a loose grip" on the handlebars is the key

May 17th, 2012, 05:05 PM	#8
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	^^ Not sure about the speed wobbles, but riding in general definitely so. Especially, as I noticed, while riding on bad surfaces. Story: They are repaving the road on my way to work, and it is currently a horrendous grooved surface. Instead of fighting it, I just let the bike go where it goes (in my lane), swerving & what-not, and put my weight more towards the rear.

May 18th, 2012, 12:41 PM	#10
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	I had one, and then some others had it, too. Search, it's all here.