Handlebar "Tank Slap" Today!

[Lotsokids]

I was goofing around riding next to my buddy (about 50 MPH) and took my hands off my handlebars momentarily and motioned with my hands - like shrugging my shoulders. Of course this is not safe at all, and I only did it for a second or two, but long enough to get a SERIOUSLY VIOLENT tank slap of the bars. I've never experienced that before, and let me tell you, it's kind of scary. I grabbed them tight and regained control.

Learn from my mistake - don't take your hands off the bars! You can call me an idiot, but I'd rather try to keep someone else from hurting themselves.

[carsick]

Wait a sec- you listed her as "old shakey" before this happened! Foreshadowing aside, that sucks. Scares the hell outta you does it not? I had that this spring when I hit a bump in a corner, very difficult to convey to others what it's like when your bike tries to randomly wipe you out. I think in my case I was pushing too fast over rough road and hit a bump just wrong. I was holding on however, never had a problem with no hands on the FJ. My Honda would shake like a wet dog if I let go of the bars. Stay safe so you can send us more cool pics and stories of life in an alternate dimension!
Doug

[racerman_27410]

you either have a worn out front tire or your steering head bearings are loose.


try the flop test on the front end (wheel off the ground and make sure the cables/hoses aren't binding) the handlebars should just go to the stop when pushed off center..... if they bounce back off the stop they are too loose.

adjust as necessary but dont get them too tight as that can cause issues as well.


Kookaloo!

[Kopfjaeger]

sounds like fun. mine does that but only if low tyre pressure or scrubbed out. just got 18 ooo k's out of a set of bt 45 bridgestones. replaced today. slick front in the wet, its exciting, but not that much fun

[Lotsokids]

Wait a sec- you listed her as "old shakey" before this happened!

Good point. Maybe she's telling me she doesn't like her nickname.

[Adam FJ]

I found that when my rear shock was failing my bike would tank slap if I let go of the bars, a new rear shock cured this.

Adam.

[1tinindian]

That has to be a terrible feeling.

My old GS1100L will track straight as an arrow for miles with the cruise set and hands off the bars.
Must be all that rake in the forks and the leading front axle.

Leon

[Mark Olson]

low tire pressure can cause this slap , as well as what frank said " stem bearings loose or cupped tire".

also fork oil level and too much weight on the rear end like bags or luggage will do it .

personally I take my hands off when riding to check the front wheel wear and know when it is time for a new tire.