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Seeing videos, hearing stories, and experiencing speed wobbles, death wobbles, or tank slappers on a motorcycle is always a good reminder why wearing all the proper riding gear and keeping your bike maintained is important.
This page will go over what they are, what causes them, and what to do if you experience one.
What is a Tank Slapper?
A tank slapper describes a situation in which a motorcycle’s forks and handlebars begin violently slapping from side to side.
In the most extreme cases, the handlebars can actually hit each side of the gas tank repeatedly.
Tank slappers, which are also called speed wobbles or death wobbles, are a dangerous situation to be in.
In many cases, it’ll cause you to lose control of the bike and go down.
What Causes Speed Wobbles on a Motorcycle?
Anything with a single steering pivot – motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards – can experience a speed wobble.
It occurs when the steering pivot begins to shake (for a variety of reasons) and continues to shake until it either settles or gets out of control.
There are a number of reasons why speed wobbles can happen, including:
- Loss of traction.
- Too high of speed.
- Improper tire pressure.
- Bad bearings.
- Bad suspension.
- Hitting an imperfection in the road.
- Riding in heavy wind.
How to Handle Speed Wobbles
The best way to handle a speed wobble is to not get into one in the first place.
Experiencing one can be frightening and difficult to overcome.
The best ways to avoid them include:
- Making sure your motorcycle is properly tuned and maintained.
- Not ridding at excessive speeds or pulling stunts.
If you do find yourself in a speed wobbles, sometimes all you can to is try to ride it out.
As the bike slows and regains traction, the steering should naturally steady out.
Some experts recommend:
- Letting off the throttle.
- Relaxing your grip.
- Not using the breaks while still in a wobble.
On certain bikes, a steering damper may help prevent wobbles as well.
And always, make sure you’re wearing the proper safety gear.