[Wild Bill]

Hey guys tell me what happened.

I was out on a section of road in the country on the flats with long sweeping turns with no traffic. I was crossing into the other lane straightening out the turns so to speak. The road has a slight groove in places between the lanes. Probably rolling around 70mph when I was crossing back into my lane and I noticed that the groove was slightly larger but didn't think much about it until I crossed it... that's when the front end started wobbling back and forth! I let off on the throttle and it finally stopped after a brief moment. Needless to say I was a bit tensed up. The bike overall was under control. I assume by the way I hit the grove in the road that it jerked the wheel but it wasn't like I felt it jerking my hands free or anything like that. I slowed down for awhile and kept looking for wobble or any other signs that something wrong but it seemed fine. Kept on going and finished my trip for another 60 miles.

Has this ever happened to any of you?

Thanks

Bil

 

[Wild Bill]

I don't have my MS yet but I have had it happen on other bikes. Not to the point that it turned into a full blown tank slapper. I've had it happen usually on metal bridge gratings, or when there's road construction and one lane it paved fresh and the other is stripped. You just kind of loosen the grip on the bars and let the bike correct itself. Most people tend to clamp down and white knuckle it which is a bad habit, you have to train yourself not to do that. Just straight chopping the throttle or snatching up a handful of brake isn't a good idea either.

I equate things like that to the same principles you use when riding in the wet, you want to be smooth as possible. Don't induce any more chassis movement than you have to. You don't want to overload anything or make the situation worse. It's easier to say than do and one of those things that you have to train the brain to do.

I will also add that sometimes a poorly adjusted suspension, incorrectly inflated tires or even over tightened chain can add or even be the culprit of this issue.

Guys thanks for the responses. My Multi only has about 3200mi. I was riding by myself, panniers on in touring mode. My response was as you said... Just kept my grip light, no braking and just came off the throttle gently. I rode today and put another 95 mi on with my wife along. No problems! Bike seems good.

Oh well I guess it's just one of those weird things huh!?

JRT I was down by the river on 94 heading to the Lake when it happened. What part of town are you from?

Thanks again,

Bill

 

[Wild Bill]

You're right.. not a thing wrong with the bike, except that it was designed for crisp turn in.

However, in my 28 years of riding experience both on and off road, the only solution to fixing the start of a tank slapper is to give the bike full throttle. Loading the front end via brake, reduction of throttle or any other method (leaning forward, etc) results in the same or more wobble. Hit the gas, lean back, ride lose (don't death grip the bars) and it'll fix your problem 100% of the time.

Thanks for the advice. I will keep that in mind. Obviously since it was the first time, my a** puckered and slowing down seemed good to me.

Bill