Tankslapper from hell

**Jackrat** · 1st January 2005, 12:42

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Pretty sure I heard that the rider died in that crash, judging by the speed he was travelling, the change in direction after he hit the wall, I wouldn't be at all surprised.

Had a tank slapper at an indicated 260 when I was younger and dumber on my earlier gixxer, all I remember is going up over the bars, looking at a combination of the front wheel, mudguard and road. I had enough time to think 'this is it, I'm dead' but somehow (pure luck) landed back on the bike and slowed her down. A friend riding with me said I just turned into a blur and he was expecting me to be thrown off. Turned out to be a dodgy rear tyre. My fault completely, bike went into a speed wobble at anything over 180, but from moving my weight around (all 72kg of it!) I found I could ride past it. Got to an indicated 260 when I went over a bump in the road.

Hard case what you say to yourself when that happens huh.
I had time to say "Shit this is it" I fully expected to die.
I've had two full on tank slappers,the one that spat me off an another a few years before where I just sat up an touched the rear brake.That bought it back an saved the situation,but it was instinct only,nothing planned.