Anyone know what would cause something of this magnitude? Or how to prevent it? http://powerpixelmedia.com/Bike Crash.mpeg
i think that's called a tank slapper. Ways to prevent it are getting a steering damper. Bumps in the road can cause it.
From what I understand there are several things that can cause it and several more to counter act it. The cause and remedy that I tend to believe in are when the front end gets light and then tries to find traction. I have read that you need to stay on the throttle and ease off of it slowly. Having never experienced a tank slapper myself I have no real frame of reference, however, I do think that once it starts to go lock to lock your best bet is a quick prayer and hope your nurse is cute.
Front gets light, wheel lifts slightly, touches back down in a slight tangent to the line of travel causing a sudden jerk in the opposite direction, followed by a similar, and maybe bigger movement to the other side ended by slowly coming off throttle and allowing the clip ons some leeway, i.e. no death grip, or alternatively, you can end it as shown in the vid. Hard to imagine someone in the TT without a damper, likely just dialed down too far for quicker response through the tight stuff.
So the point of this is.... make sure when you're accelerating hard, to bring that front end down carefully...? Would a steering damper help you in that situation? And the best thing to do would be to stay loose and let off the thottle? Thanks
The incident was most certainly at the Isle of man TT. The guy involved is a big mate of mine, Paul (Orrible) Orritt.... he stays with us, when visiting the island (he obviously, no longer races) He sufferred multiple fractures and lost a finger. He has fully recovered over the last four years, but the stomach has expanded somewhat. The incident in the film was only a mile from the start, and despite travelling downhill, one is still accellerating at that point... we think he hit a bump in the road which eventually caused the horrendous tank slapper. Full credit to the marshall who went immediately to pauls' assistance I shall let him know of his fans in the USA. regards, david.....isle of man
hello david i am a big fan of this race and i almost saw your friend's accident live on eurosport and always wondered how this guy was and i am really happy to learn that he is now ok my best wishes to him and maybe i will meet you when i go to see the races one of these days herve
Glad to hear he is okay. I try to catch the TT highlights on Speed each year. When I saw this clip a few years ago, it looked as though it could have been fatal.
Damper would help if it's not let all the way out. I bet its hard to deal with a tight damper on such a varied road course as the TT so I bet they let them out. Just guessing. Anyone with personal experience on the TT? Off throttle VERY gently.
Tank slappers are usually caused by the front end getting light, then coming back down, slightly off the direction of travel. Solution: pick the front end up off the road, i.e., get on the gas, pull on the bars, seem counter intitutive, but it works. Used to be a problem at Laguna, turn 1 is on the front straight away and is off camber, etc. Solution, wheelie until you need to brake for turn 2. This poor guy fell in the worst place at the TT. I was there with Ducati in 88, and sure didn't like it. Art
I agree, see post #7. Only prob is when you get a slapper started usually you are running out of road. Art, how is your recovery going? ribs are hurtin' things!!
Thanks guys for the comments re paul.....i shall print the thread and send it off to him. Dampers are a necessity here.....the top boys have an adjustable unit, controlled from the bar grips.....the poor boys have to set for an 'average' throughout the course, similar to suspension settings. Anybody ever visiting the TT ???, then you must give us a shout for at least a beer. cheers for now, david
Dave: Will be there in 07. I'll drop you a line then. Bringing the plane over, so we won't have to ride the packet. Art
Steering dampner will slow but will not prevent a tank slapper. You don't panic and put forward pressure on the bars. I have had such violent slappers on the track in which the force caused the brakes calipers to be compressed to the point I did not have brakes until I gave them a quick pump. Lightweight, high hp short wheelbase bikes are most prone. The late 90's GSXR 600's were notorious!!