[OydnaR]

this afternoon I was on a 2 lane primary highway behind a subaru that was tailgaiting a chip truck going up about a 5% grade, the truck was loaded, maybe going 45mph we crested the hill, there was a long slight downhill straight 3% downhill and about 3/4 mile

the was an oncoming vehicle but close to 3/4 mile so I decided to make the pass, of course, on the downhill grade, the truck was picking up speed

I accelerated hard and within a split second, I was going about 80mph in the wake of the truck, next thing I know, I'm in the worse tank slapper I have ever been in, didn't dare hit the brakes, I just twisted harder to get past the truck, the faster I went, the harder it was to hang on, finally after I cleard the nose of the truck, the buffetting and tank slapping went away, the oncoming vehicle was getting bigger, but still a ¼mile away

I was only in a tank slapper for about 2 seconds, but it was prolly the scarriest 2 seconds I've ever had on a bike:yikes:

a steering damper had become my #1 priority

 

[tucsonstrom]

You mean like.............get married?:headbang::headbang::headbang:

.......

 

[Stromin'Nroman]

I experienced the slightest of tank slappers, maybe 4 oscillations, in a similar situation, accelerating past a vehicle downhill. One difference is that it was beginning to drizzle and the oscillations began as I was crossing back over into my lane.

That wasn't the scariest or stupidest thing I've ever done. It was just pretty unnerving.

Probably the stupidest thing that I live to tell about happened way back in high school involving inebriants and automobiles. Whether I was driving or some other wasted teenager, the stats probably point to those occasions as the most dangerous things I've done.

 

[Improperly Torqued]

I experienced the slightest of tank slappers,

I believe that any front end oscillation during which you can still hang on to the bar is not a "tank slapper". The name comes from the physical contact of the bar with the tank, which is a quite violent movement. I doubt you're going to hang onto that.

But I could be wrong. And in any case, I don't doubt that lesser oscillations can be pucker-inducing. BTDT too.

 

[Stromin'Nroman]

I believe that any front end oscillation during which you can still hang on to the bar is not a "tank slapper". The name comes from the physical contact of the bar with the tank, which is a quite violent movement. I doubt you're going to hang onto that.

But I could be wrong. And in any case, I don't doubt that lesser oscillations can be pucker-inducing. BTDT too.

I should've written "beginning of a potential tankslapper", but I should also be alseep at this hour.

 

[twiget]

Are we talking about on a bike? I'm new to motorcycles, so I have not had an opportunity to do anything really stupid on my Wee.

I've had my share of fast cars though, and my guardian angle must be at the top of his game, cause I've done a lot of stupid shit that probably should have killed me, but I'm still around.

 

[Improperly Torqued]

Disclaimer

The internet is forever, and your insurance company knows how to use Google. :biggrinjester:

 

[OydnaR]

I experienced the slightest of tank slappers, maybe 4 oscillations, in a similar situation, accelerating past a vehicle downhill. One difference is that it was beginning to drizzle and the oscillations began as I was crossing back over into my lane.

I woulda had to get on the brakes hard to pull back in my lane behind the vehicles I was passing, no way in hell was I going to touch the brakes

I prolly only had 3 or 4 oscillations as well, but not the minor vibration type ocsilations, it was all I could do to hang on and not to toot my horn, I'm bigger and stronger than the average person

it went away the moment I got my wheel in front of the truck, I'm sure it was a combination of reasons, #1 the wake of a tractor trailer loaded with wood chips, #2 unevenly worn TKCs at about 15% tread, the knobs are scalloped and worn like a sawblade, I think its mounted backward right now to even the wear, I have new Karoo 2 waiting to be put on... prolly tomorrow

#3 darkside tire in rear, not sure what effect that has, I have always felt like the bike is more stable but I do get some funky wobbles going over some road anomalies but more due to being a sipped winter tire, that may be what "started the oscillation, when I cross the centerline seam in the pavment, the wide sipped tire tracks on the slighly uneven pavment, with a slight wobble as I pass over the centerline

any steering damper recomendations ?

 

[Improperly Torqued]

I think its mounted backward right now to even the wear,

:yikes:

I know I've pointed this out before (maybe even to you, in which case my apologies for continuing to inflict impact upon the expired equine quadriped), but because of the way motorcycle tires are constructed, running them backwards can lead to catastrophic failure. Certainly I'd expect odd handling characteristics as well.

any steering damper recomendations ?

The usual choice for the DL650 is the Scotts. I have one, but had to modify the bracket. Lots of info on the forum from others who've used this model, many of whom didn't perceive the problem that I had.

It won't prevent minor (or occasionally even strong, depending on how it's adjusted) oscillations. It will prevent them from becoming tank slappers, though. I like mine, and find it unobtrusive and comforting to have.

 

[Midnullarbor]

.
The older Ralle-Moto steering damper bolts straight on.
Can't say whether that's so for the Mark-Two version (but I guess it's likely).
.

 

[rconti]

Just got back from running the dalton. 11 hours up, spent the night at the prudhoe bay hotel, 11 hours back. Riding on snot with 0 grip at 50mph. 80mph on gravel, mud, any surface really. The north slope is hell even in good conditions Nuff said.

 

[CanadianFZ6]

Well, here's the last stupid thing I did...

Sold my Wee :headbang:

Pretty sure I'll be buying the 2012 Wee, though...:mrgreen:

 

[Dino M]

I believe that any front end oscillation during which you can still hang on to the bar is not a "tank slapper". The name comes from the physical contact of the bar with the tank, which is a quite violent movement. I doubt you're going to hang onto that.

But I could be wrong. And in any case, I don't doubt that lesser oscillations can be pucker-inducing. BTDT too.

I've only had a true TS experience once in over 35 years of riding. Pure luck or divine intervention got me out of it. Certainly nothing I did because I was totally out of control and barley on the bike when it occurred. I've had lots of high speed shimmy/ wiggle but believe me that is not what is referred to as a tank slapper.

 

[Voluhzia-Strom]

Rode Warloop Rd and only fell 10 times... I was told not to do it, but I forgot...

YouTube - ‪day5warloop_0001.wmv‬‏

 

[OydnaR]

Sold my Wee

I expected some good stories, but nothing quite like selling yer bike

my bike is my sanity, or rather where I can express my insanity

I've done a lot of things that I thought might have been stupid(ok some of them were stupid)

winter riding on snow & ice has turned out to be a pleasant experience and I've gone out more in worse(blizzard) condidtions burt one time, I wanted to take a quick spin on my SV650 to the corner and back after doing some work on the bike in my basement in the winter, it was -25°F and I thought what ta heck, only to the corner and back, I was only wearing sweatpants, sweatshirt & sneakers :yikes: I was only out for less than 1½ minutes, nearly frostbit my forehead with 75mph windchill

 

[Stromin'Nroman]

I was only out for less than 1½ minutes, nearly frostbit my forehead with 75mph windchill

Apparently, cooler heads prevailed.

 

[OydnaR]

Apparently, cooler heads prevailed.

that pic is from my 11th annual StupidBowl Sunday Kanc ride

we had freezing rain, sleet that ended about 2 hours before the beginning of the ride

walked outside to see if the town had salted the road yet, fell on my butt, couldn walk on it but I could ride

Conway, NH to Lincoln, NH - Google Maps

 

[CanadianFZ6]

I expected some good stories, but nothing quite like selling yer bike

my bike is my sanity, or rather where I can express my insanity

I've done a lot of things that I thought might have been stupid(ok some of them were stupid)

winter riding on snow & ice has turned out to be a pleasant experience and I've gone out more in worse(blizzard) condidtions burt one time, I wanted to take a quick spin on my SV650 to the corner and back after doing some work on the bike in my basement in the winter, it was -25°F and I thought what ta heck, only to the corner and back, I was only wearing sweatpants, sweatshirt & sneakers :yikes: I was only out for less than 1½ minutes, nearly frostbit my forehead with 75mph windchill

Randyo, we all know you would ride in the harsh environment of Mars if you could figure out how to get your Strom there....:mrgreen:

 

[MoDaddy]

Well, besides the obvious near fatal decision of marrying that one woman...:headbang:


the next most stupid near fatal choice was back in high-school, where we tied a rope between a motorcycle (Yamaha Chappy?) and a go-kart frame, about midnight I think, no lights on a residential street, completely stoned on pot, NGAL;

laws of physics and poor steering geometry took over and the kart went into a wild oscillation at speed.

The few memories of the event (or that year, I believe) are of my outstretched hands in the moonlight, reaching for the asphalt as it blurred past at around thirty mph, bending to pick up a partial rear axle-hub-wheel combo and my buddy saying "Dude! You're, like, bleeding from everywhere..."