Headshake, Tankslappers?

[2_SL0]

Before you say it, No we did not have the pleasure of experiencing a tank slapper. Infact I find the 636 extremely stable. However I am still running in and have not pushed the bike much at all. When I have opened it up I find I am ussually tucked in close to the tank sort of leaning over the front (crouched etc)
arms almost parrallel to the ground. (side note, I almost find it feels like Im sitting on the front wheel, wicked.) I try to be relaxed and not cling onto the bars to tight. On the FZ6 I did experience the occasional wiggle but nothing scary. ( I still have fond memories of tanks slappers on me dirt bike in the sand)
The occasional wiggle when the front gets light over a bump or 2 does not worry me. Tank Slappers DO. I have read (US sites, this could be the problem)
that a damper is very much worth purchasing. I do plan to buy one, but not till the end of winter. I have also read that the suspension setup and ride position will greatly reduce this problem. From what I have read with regards directly to the 05 636 the front setup has been adjusted from the previous 04 model to lesson theh risk of a tank slapper. I know these are sportbikes etc and it comes with the territory. So people with previous 636's and other supersports etc do you have a dampner, if not how have you found the bike etc? I would like some feedback on this as its something I am concerned about. Dont wanna end up in the ditch with me brand new bike.

[Two Smoker]

My gixxer has a steering damper standard. It is an extremely stable bike, and i havnt had a shake on it yet. No shaking on it includes doing 260+ down Hunua Road and getting the front off the ground at high speed (180+)......

Compare this to F/F's R6 which has no damper... I had a couple of tank slappers on it the short time i rode it...

I highly recommend getting a damper... Cheap ones go for about 600-800 (Daytona and Hyperpro, WP) then Ohlins at about 1000+

[Sensei]

Have found that Tank slappers only rear their head when you are pushing the bike over crests or uneven roades while on its side & powering out of corners have a standard one on the GSXR which does a good job for what it is . But would look at a better one when funds allow

[madboy]

then Ohlins at about 1000+

Haven't had the misfortune of a tank slapper yet, and I'm assuming the wheelspin and wiggle I got on the way to work in the wet this morning is not classified as a tank slapper. But was looking at the links on Feint's post the other night and they had Ohlins from the US for USD$480, which is a fair bit less than $1k. Would it be worth importing one?

I'm not in the market for one yet, way down my want list.

[Skunk]

It can vary from model to model too; my ZRX1100 should have one fitted before doing wheelies, whereas the ZRX1200 doesn't need one at all...

I have heard (Trash will know better) that most Suzuki are better off with one, but Kwakas don't seem too need one as much.

At the end of the day - I know shit.

[bugjuice]

I'm getting one, just saving.. I've had some good slaps around, and that was after I had decided to buy one. I've learnt to ride thru them, but I'd still prefer to have one rather than 'deal with it' so to speak.. kinda beats the wrists up

[Waylander]

Ok so when I get mine I'm gonna plan on getting a damper for it.

[idb]

I've met summa them tank slappers when I hang out at the wrong bars...
Yeah, OK, I just felt it was my turn

[idb]

I read in some article written by some clever bloke that it is just a matter of changing the weight distribution on the bike.
So I suppose what that means is if you are getting tank slappers or shakes at the same speed, lean angle,whatever then maybe sit back or forward a little bit or maybe even simply lean forward a bit more.
Sounds easy......

[Shawn]

Before you say it, No we did not have the pleasure of experiencing a tank slapper. Infact I find the 636 extremely stable. However I am still running in and have not pushed the bike much at all. When I have opened it up I find I am ussually tucked in close to the tank sort of leaning over the front (crouched etc)
arms almost parrallel to the ground. (side note, I almost find it feels like Im sitting on the front wheel, wicked.) I try to be relaxed and not cling onto the bars to tight. On the FZ6 I did experience the occasional wiggle but nothing scary. ( I still have fond memories of tanks slappers on me dirt bike in the sand)
The occasional wiggle when the front gets light over a bump or 2 does not worry me. Tank Slappers DO. I have read (US sites, this could be the problem)
that a damper is very much worth purchasing. I do plan to buy one, but not till the end of winter. I have also read that the suspension setup and ride position will greatly reduce this problem. From what I have read with regards directly to the 05 636 the front setup has been adjusted from the previous 04 model to lesson theh risk of a tank slapper. I know these are sportbikes etc and it comes with the territory. So people with previous 636's and other supersports etc do you have a dampner, if not how have you found the bike etc? I would like some feedback on this as its something I am concerned about. Dont wanna end up in the ditch with me brand new bike.

Dunno too much about this, but mt. eden sold most of their 03 and 04 636 with Ohlins damper on them as mike reckons that’s really necessary on them…

And you can get Ohlins from them for 990.00 including fitting…

But personally im getting THIS for US$510.00 or THIS for US$315.00 (Doesn't come with any mounting kit...)

also both of them don't need any fairing modification or anything...
Shawn

[crazylittleshit]

I was under the impression that the bike wants to go striaght at all times Iheard if you just let the bike do its thing it comes right. YET I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE.

[Shawn]

I was under the impression that the bike wants to go striaght at all times Iheard if you just let the bike do its thing it comes right. YET I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE.

hey dude nice profile pic?...how did u get it taken?...now don't tell me it's photoshop!!!..

[Ixion]

Fark. $1000 ! That's a lot for what is basically just a small hydraulic damper ! Surely there must be cheaper ones ?

'Orrible thinger tankslappers but, I hate them. One of the few things in motorcycling that scares me. Yeah I know, relax and ride it out. Sure, until it throws you right off.

[erik]

hey dude nice profile pic?...how did u get it taken?...now don't tell me it's photoshop!!!..

Yeah, it is a cool pic. Looks kinda weird though, almost like it's a computer generated image from a game or something.

[bugjuice]

There are cheaper dampers out there, plenty of them. But it's one of those things - you get what you pay for.. Mike was trying to sell me one when I bought my bike, but I had just blown way more than I wanted on the bike, then he was trying to get me to part with another grand for damper.. If I had the spare cash, I probably might have, but I've seen very good ones at $400 or so. I saw one with a speed control valve (so the fast the shake, the harder it dampens) at something like $580. That's probably what I'll be getting.

As for what causes it, playing with the suspension set up and tyres can help, but the main reason for the cause is too much acceleration and the front wheel starts to skip the road surface. Then it catches the road at an angle and rebounds back, but that's too much, so it bounds the other way and so forth, then you're a slapperin a way. A damper helps to slow down the side-to-side motion and regain control quicker.