TANKSLAPPER! MAM 6/28/10

Huge tankslapper on the front straight of Mid America Motorplex.

UPDATE: After going through this incident in my head about a billion times and talking with many knowledgeable riders, here is my conclusion on why the tank slapper started.

First and foremost, this was at the beginning of the day and I was nowhere near as loose as I should have been on the bike. Way too much weight on the bars.

Second, there were some SERIOUS ripples in the track surface (that have since been repaired) right where the slapper started, from cars running an alternate track configuration. This config has them hard on the brakes about 1/3 the way down the main straight, and over the years braking bumps developed there.

Third, the slapper starts right when I shift from second to third. The front got light.

And to pull it all together, I was shifting my weight around on corner exit to move into a tuck. Of course this plays into the number one big problem... not loose on the bike and too much weight / extraneous input on the bars.

One or two of these problems would not have been an issue. I've logged a significant number of laps at MAM prior to as well as after this tankslapper and have never experienced anything like it. It likely was ALL of these issues happening at the same time that got the bike out of shape. (Im)perfect timing....

I've since made a very conscious effort to stay loose on any bike I'm riding. While I'm not happy this tankslapper ever happened, it opened my eyes a little and I'm a better rider now because of it :)

And yes... this was definitely the most pants-shitting moment I've ever had on a motorcycle.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• motorcycle
• trackday
• track
• day
• Honda
• CBR1000RR

[destined2sleep]

ur description says a cause was shifting from 2nd to 3rd making the front "light", don't u mean "heavier"?

[needknees]

@destined2sleep This is one of the problem with literbikes... when the revs drop from a shift, you're right back in the meat of the powerband (as it should be). However, because they have so damn much power this often leads to the front losing interest in the pavement. The front being "light" is another way of saying "small wheelie" ;)

[destined2sleep]

@needknees i think i understand. So the front wheel being lighter, barely touching the tarmac, coupled with the ruts/uneven surface u mentioned caused the tank slapper? It makes sense

[needknees]

@destined2sleep exactly. Although that was one of the contributors to the slapper, the #1 cause was me not being light enough on the bars. Had I been more loose on the bike there's a good chance of a few hard shakes then it'd work itself out.

[morganwolff]

to the hater thats giving him advice on what he should have done? its all about saving your self and the bike which he clearly did. there are no rules here, you either save it or go face down.

great job man. ignore these fools

[Cab0cl0]

Like a boss

[Swagman00]

Damn good job on the save. I would have changed my drawers after that.

[GBMikeChas]

They're caused by the front wheel and back wheel becoming misaligned, so I'd say you made a pretty good diagnosis. As long as you didn't hurt your self or anyone else, it is a good recovery in my book.

[metaldnbufc]

well held

[r1sabotage]

F-ing hondas man, I used to get tank slapper regularly when I had hondas. The fronts are just too quick... From my 600"s to my 1000's same thing. Once I went to Yamaha and Suzuki, tank slappers where a thing of the past. I would never ride a honda with out a damper..

[kleenextx]

Hell of a save

[Sommasmokes420]

damn nice save man. i would have had to check my pants after that 1. good job

[lastserenadeUK]

This made my heart race. HATE tank slappers!

[NoFearRiding299]

Ok so I own a 2005 zx-10 which is notorious for tank slappers and as I understood they happen because the front end gets too light. So what I always do is let the throttle slam shut to get the weight on the front tire and slide forward on the seat so if you spoke with knowledgable riders are they suggesting that you don't slide forward if I understand correctly? Or else maybe I'm thinking of a speed wobble from accelerating

[Kuderer]

O_O