Tank slappers are hell, no question about it. Now you should know that there is no one way or no correct way to get out of a tank slapper. For all different bikes and different scenarios, the procedure might be different, and for some situations there might not be a procedure other than pray or simply wet your pants. But we will look at that later on; first let’s check out the available solutions with us.
For Small Capacity Sports Bikes / Commuters:
Now the reason for this distinguishing of the bikes by categories is because the method of handling tank slappers of each segment is different because the bikes handle in a different pattern. So if you are the ones who are cruising on the road at comparatively high speeds and hit a bump and go into a tank slapper, the main thing is to not lose your calm. You do not have some of those heavy bikes which are hard to handle. So the best way is to simply plant your legs down on the ground and make sure the rubber side of the bike stays on the road while your arms are tackling with the handlebars.
READ MORE: Motorcycle Tank Slapper Explained
Call it a coincidence or nature’s way to play with me; just a couple of hours before I am writing this article, I had a tank slapper and trust me, that is exactly what I did. I planted both my feet on the road while handling the handlebars and did all the very best of what I could to steady the bike again and I passed. So do keep that in mind.
For Middleweight Sports Bikes:
Now when it comes to middleweight bikes, the trick is to steady the bike by stopping. There is a good reason for it. The bikes are not that heavy in weight, so it is not that easy to throttle the bike and it will regain its composure and get moving. Nor is it the kinds to really control the beast and bring it to a quick halt. So the better option is to understand the science in it and get the bike stable.
The reason for tank slappers is because the front wheel jumps up and it is unable to match the speed of the rear wheel as it slows down a little. Due to this there is an imbalance causing the tank slapper. So the best way here is to match the rotation speed of the front wheel to that of the rear wheel to stabilize the bike. So all you need to do it very lightly tug on the rear brake only a little, do not pump it all the way through else you are sure to go for a toss.
So when you apply the rear brake, keep your hands fixed on the handlebars to try and stabilize it so that you can get the bike back in control, and once you feel that now you can handle the bike, hit both the brakes and get the bike to a stop. But understand that the proper timing and judgement is key here. Now this is nothing that can be taught and perfected through practice, you will just have to trust your gut here in the time of a crisis.
For Super Sports / Track Bikes:
When it comes to these mean machines, they don’t really experience these issues much because they do get some good quality steering dampers. So in the very rare case that these bikes go into tank slappers, they generally have the tendency to come out of them as well. But the only trick here is to not fight it as much, but simply keep the handles gripped so that when the bike comes back in control, you can quickly grab on and go on. But this generally not what I would normally suggest.
The one way to get these bikes out of tank slapping is to hit the gas so very slightly to give it a bit forward lunge so that the handle under the force also move forward and the steering damper does its rest to get the bike back in a straight line. It might seem a bit odd to suggest this, but when your bikes are going at very high speeds, this is what works the best. But if you are going in slower speeds, then use the technique given for middleweight bikes.
For Dirt Bikes:
Dirt bikes have to go through bad terrain like all the time and hence for them tank slapping is like a common thing really. But then again, they are not the types to go really fast, so using the technique for commuters or light sports bikes is something that works. But if you are happen to be in a total muddy conditions then the best bet is to hit hard on the rear brake and pray that it locks up and the tyres slide in the mud or gravel. This sliding will help turn the bike on a dime and most importantly the change in direction will help the slapping stop and get the bike back.
Ways to Avoid Slappers:
We checked ways to get out of tank slappers, but what can one do to avoid them altogether? The best way is to not go into bad roads at high speeds and especially be careful while gassing the bike out of a corner leaning really sharp. Secondly it is always best to invest in a good steering damper for your bike because it will save you a lot, trust me on this. And most importantly is to make sure your bike is on proper shape. A little misalignment somewhere can also cause this issue, so one has to be careful there.
So be careful, always ride with proper gears and make sure to not get into any of the nasty tank slappers. Ride hard, stay safe and stay tuned to BikesIndia for more such helpful articles. In case of any further queries do not forget to comment down below.
By: Pratik Patole
For Small Capacity Sports Bikes / Commuters:Now the reason for this distinguishing of the bikes by categories is because the method of handling tank slappers of each segment is different because the bikes handle in a different pattern. So if you are the ones who are cruising on the road at comparatively high speeds and hit a bump and go into a tank slapper, the main thing is to not lose your calm. You do not have some of those heavy bikes which are hard to handle. So the best way is to simply plant your legs down on the ground and make sure the rubber side of the bike stays on the road while your arms are tackling with the handlebars.
READ MORE: Motorcycle Tank Slapper Explained
Call it a coincidence or nature’s way to play with me; just a couple of hours before I am writing this article, I had a tank slapper and trust me, that is exactly what I did. I planted both my feet on the road while handling the handlebars and did all the very best of what I could to steady the bike again and I passed. So do keep that in mind.
For Middleweight Sports Bikes:Now when it comes to middleweight bikes, the trick is to steady the bike by stopping. There is a good reason for it. The bikes are not that heavy in weight, so it is not that easy to throttle the bike and it will regain its composure and get moving. Nor is it the kinds to really control the beast and bring it to a quick halt. So the better option is to understand the science in it and get the bike stable.
The reason for tank slappers is because the front wheel jumps up and it is unable to match the speed of the rear wheel as it slows down a little. Due to this there is an imbalance causing the tank slapper. So the best way here is to match the rotation speed of the front wheel to that of the rear wheel to stabilize the bike. So all you need to do it very lightly tug on the rear brake only a little, do not pump it all the way through else you are sure to go for a toss.
So when you apply the rear brake, keep your hands fixed on the handlebars to try and stabilize it so that you can get the bike back in control, and once you feel that now you can handle the bike, hit both the brakes and get the bike to a stop. But understand that the proper timing and judgement is key here. Now this is nothing that can be taught and perfected through practice, you will just have to trust your gut here in the time of a crisis.
For Super Sports / Track Bikes:When it comes to these mean machines, they don’t really experience these issues much because they do get some good quality steering dampers. So in the very rare case that these bikes go into tank slappers, they generally have the tendency to come out of them as well. But the only trick here is to not fight it as much, but simply keep the handles gripped so that when the bike comes back in control, you can quickly grab on and go on. But this generally not what I would normally suggest.
The one way to get these bikes out of tank slapping is to hit the gas so very slightly to give it a bit forward lunge so that the handle under the force also move forward and the steering damper does its rest to get the bike back in a straight line. It might seem a bit odd to suggest this, but when your bikes are going at very high speeds, this is what works the best. But if you are going in slower speeds, then use the technique given for middleweight bikes.
For Dirt Bikes:Dirt bikes have to go through bad terrain like all the time and hence for them tank slapping is like a common thing really. But then again, they are not the types to go really fast, so using the technique for commuters or light sports bikes is something that works. But if you are happen to be in a total muddy conditions then the best bet is to hit hard on the rear brake and pray that it locks up and the tyres slide in the mud or gravel. This sliding will help turn the bike on a dime and most importantly the change in direction will help the slapping stop and get the bike back.
Ways to Avoid Slappers:
We checked ways to get out of tank slappers, but what can one do to avoid them altogether? The best way is to not go into bad roads at high speeds and especially be careful while gassing the bike out of a corner leaning really sharp. Secondly it is always best to invest in a good steering damper for your bike because it will save you a lot, trust me on this. And most importantly is to make sure your bike is on proper shape. A little misalignment somewhere can also cause this issue, so one has to be careful there.
So be careful, always ride with proper gears and make sure to not get into any of the nasty tank slappers. Ride hard, stay safe and stay tuned to BikesIndia for more such helpful articles. In case of any further queries do not forget to comment down below.
By: Pratik Patole