Does anyone know anything about tankslappers? I've seen very conflicting information about what causes them and how to correct them.
I've seen wheelies where someone at high speed puts the front wheel back down not pointing straight ahead, and that starts one. I think I understand the physics of that one.
But then I see people talk about low speed (20 mph) tankslappers that are caused by some kind of harmonic frequency of something or other. Have never had one of these, and maybe the 14 is protected against them with the suspension system (?).
Then you get into recommendations for stopping them once they've started. I see:
- Speed up
- Slow down
- Press the rear brake
But the real question I have is this: aside from changing your speed, is it best to wrestle with the bike forcefully to try to stop it, or to relax and let the bike straighten itself out (if it will?).
For many/most things, I think the more relaxed you are the better (i.e., steer the bike into a corner and then relax and let it do what it wants to do, subject to your corrections). But a tankslapper may be an exception to this rule, and may require some force.
Any thoughts or experiences with this? -bg
* Last updated by: bgordon on 2/17/2009 @ 9:26 AM *