Kawasaki Triples Club

I remember in about 94 riding my blue h2 when I was racing another bike I know a bit silly but dual carriageway no pedestrians etc while tearing up to a roundabout just too fast and grabbed a handful of front brake to try lose some speed it brought on this almighty tankslapper .The handle bars were shaking like mad and thought it was gonna chuck me off, which seemed to go on minutes but was only 30 seconds. Just as well nothing was coming so I opened up the throttle again, result no more brown trousers .
My question is what is exactly going on when this happens what makes handlebars shake so violently and when you gas it it's gone. I know it's with loading up the front end and how can you reduce it happening.

Cheers lads.

check your steering damper is working, if so increase the stiffness setting

Gary T

Steering dampers generally just mask a problem. Some bikes are more prone due to geometry & design, but worn/loose bearings, tyre pressures & even some tyre designs can contribute.

My H1 did one at about 90 on the motorway just going in a straight line. Didn't roll off the throttle, but thought it was never going to stop, that was scary! Was worn swinging arm bushes.

yup, must change that old front tyre on mine,...

Yeah
It'll be one of the usual suspects, worn head bearings, swing arm bushes, worn tyres,incorrect tyre pressure.

Or my favourite used to be tt100's on an H1 give you stinking tank slappers at 100 to 110

Malcolm wrote:Yeah
It'll be one of the usual suspects, worn head bearings, swing arm bushes, worn tyres,incorrect tyre pressure.

Or my favourite used to be tt100's on an H1 give you stinking tank slappers at 100 to 110

TT100's tyres of the day and never did like or trust them,
Avons much better back then,

had a bit of one on malcs h1 at the northern last summer, at about a ton, just shat mesel a bit and hung on

thanks for that malc

simonh wrote:had a bit of one on malcs h1 at the northern last summer, at about a ton, just shat mesel a bit and hung on

thanks for that malc

sold it

Malcolm wrote:Yeah
It'll be one of the usual suspects, worn head bearings, swing arm bushes, worn tyres,incorrect tyre pressure.

Or my favourite used to be tt100's on an H1 give you stinking tank slappers at 100 to 110

no troubles with K 81 on my 69 H1 even at maximum speed 130 140 MPH tacho (which is a liar as you know )

I used to have an RD350
It weaved occasionally.
One day I hit a bump at an angle, which started a tankslap.
Front end went mental, tossed me in the air
Bike smashed itself to bits.

I check a bit more these days....
All the usual suspects previously mentioned
+ fork oil fresh & equal levels

husson73 wrote:

Malcolm wrote:Yeah
It'll be one of the usual suspects, worn head bearings, swing arm bushes, worn tyres,incorrect tyre pressure.

Or my favourite used to be tt100's on an H1 give you stinking tank slappers at 100 to 110

no troubles with K 81 on my 69 H1 even at maximum speed 130 140 MPH tacho (which is a liar as you know )

I find on the H2 that if i can get through the weave at 120 its just fine!