Now before you start thinking about this being some sort of accessory for your bikes; it is not. The reason to tell you about tank slappers is because we really hope none of you have to go through it like ever. It is the worst things to happen to any biker, period. It is a state in which a biker goes and then wobbles vigorously and in the end only some are able to recover from it really. So the best way is to always make sure you don’t go through it like at all ever. So sit back and go through the entire article and make sure that next time you ride your bike, just make sure to ride safely so as to not get tank slapped.
Now the name might sound funny as if someone is trying to slap the tank of the bike, but the situation is actually exactly the same where the tank actually gets slapped big time by the biker. Tank slapping is a situation when the front wheel of the bike gets lifted somehow; either during a wheelie or a power wheelie or if going on a bump too fast. So after the front wheel gets lifted, it needs to be come down again, so it does. But during the process of coming down the front wheel does not really land in the straight position that it is supposed to land really.
So what happens then? The wheel if it lands in a cross position, it again jumps up or rolls away in the opposite direction of its landing. And since the bike is in good speed, the rider is not exactly able to control the landing nor the handlebars which have by now started to wobble at some really high frequency. It takes a lot of courage, a good open road and most importantly strong arms to control the vigorous handle.
READ MORE: Motorcycle Traction Control System Explained
If you are able to control it and steady the bike, it is all in a day’s work. But if you are unable to control it, it is going to end up in a really bad crash. Then there are no alternate scenarios for that. It all depends on the riding gear you are wearing which is going to save you. Else you are surely to end up in a hospital. So how can you make sure not to get tank slapped?
First and foremost, try not to get into any wheelies. If your bike has the tendency to get into power wheelies and lacks traction control or a steering damper, it might be a good idea to invest into one. Secondly do not ride fast on bumpy roads which might take your front wheel up in the air and land it really hard on the pavement. Most of the times it is the landing which ruins it all.
It so happens that when the wheel is in the air, it loses traction and speed. The wheel slows down. So when the wheel lands back on the ground, it has to compensate for two things, the hard hit to the road and also the wheel needs to match the speed at which the bike is going. These two things cause a shift in balance of the bike and the entire stress is shifted to the front wheel and the fork. This stress, if it is tolerable by the bike and your arms, you land safely, else you go tank slapping crazy.
READ MORE: Motorcycle Steering Damper Or Steering Stabilizer Explained
So always make sure that you be ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) every time you ride your bike and always ride in sane speeds. You don’t have to always go fast just because your bike is capable of it. If you want to go fast, take it to the tracks, but on the roads, it could be a safety hazard for you as well as others on the road. Be careful, be responsible and ride safe.
By: Pratik Patole
Now the name might sound funny as if someone is trying to slap the tank of the bike, but the situation is actually exactly the same where the tank actually gets slapped big time by the biker. Tank slapping is a situation when the front wheel of the bike gets lifted somehow; either during a wheelie or a power wheelie or if going on a bump too fast. So after the front wheel gets lifted, it needs to be come down again, so it does. But during the process of coming down the front wheel does not really land in the straight position that it is supposed to land really.So what happens then? The wheel if it lands in a cross position, it again jumps up or rolls away in the opposite direction of its landing. And since the bike is in good speed, the rider is not exactly able to control the landing nor the handlebars which have by now started to wobble at some really high frequency. It takes a lot of courage, a good open road and most importantly strong arms to control the vigorous handle.
READ MORE: Motorcycle Traction Control System Explained
If you are able to control it and steady the bike, it is all in a day’s work. But if you are unable to control it, it is going to end up in a really bad crash. Then there are no alternate scenarios for that. It all depends on the riding gear you are wearing which is going to save you. Else you are surely to end up in a hospital. So how can you make sure not to get tank slapped?
First and foremost, try not to get into any wheelies. If your bike has the tendency to get into power wheelies and lacks traction control or a steering damper, it might be a good idea to invest into one. Secondly do not ride fast on bumpy roads which might take your front wheel up in the air and land it really hard on the pavement. Most of the times it is the landing which ruins it all.It so happens that when the wheel is in the air, it loses traction and speed. The wheel slows down. So when the wheel lands back on the ground, it has to compensate for two things, the hard hit to the road and also the wheel needs to match the speed at which the bike is going. These two things cause a shift in balance of the bike and the entire stress is shifted to the front wheel and the fork. This stress, if it is tolerable by the bike and your arms, you land safely, else you go tank slapping crazy.
READ MORE: Motorcycle Steering Damper Or Steering Stabilizer Explained
So always make sure that you be ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) every time you ride your bike and always ride in sane speeds. You don’t have to always go fast just because your bike is capable of it. If you want to go fast, take it to the tracks, but on the roads, it could be a safety hazard for you as well as others on the road. Be careful, be responsible and ride safe.
By: Pratik Patole