Tank Slappers

[Strafer]

Okay, I'll jump in. I had a lock-to-lock slapper that self-corrected after about 3 seconds of terror. I was slightly leaned over (maybe 5 degrees) at about 50 MPH on smooth street pavement when my front wheel hit a glancing blow on a rock smaller than a golf ball (I didn't see it until the last moment). It started as side-to-side oscillations which increased into a full, lock-to-lock tank slapper. I could do little but hang on and it somehow subsided the same way it started with oscillations decreasing back to normal.

A damper would have been welcomed hardware!!!

You will never forget a full tank slapper... 

[moto-science]

Both wheels get ~1-3 lbs lighter...certainly helps, but the gryroscopic forces,  when disturbed at a mere 50mph are substantial. One rider broke his both forearms in a tankslapper when he tried to hold on....forget about accelerating out of that. Steering dampers should be mandatory. Don't BS yourself and think it will never happen to you. BTDT.
I thought I was immortal....until that tankslapper.

[d6a9p6]

My very first ride on a motorised 2 wheeler---a friends mini bike-- started with me pinning the throttle, accelerating into a huge tankslapper and getting off landing on my chin. Can still feel the scar. never used a damper on the modern Ducs, the old 250 had a bakelite knob on the steering stem with a wave washer underneath. The Elefant 650 used to get a slow oscillation on curves when I was trying to get the last thousand miles home on an old tyre. If a dampener make you feel good do it as long as tyres and suspension are in good nick. Don

[seevtsaab]

This is an excellent discussion.
It's easy for me to understand the need to sort suspension issues and to not expect a damper to cure
a poor handling bike.
Although I don't forsee spending much on my 620 I did get Andrew Trevitt's SB suspension Tuning and hope to at least optimize what is there, maybe a few improvements (you'll all know about that ahead of time believe me).

I appreciate the mention of a damper as a saftey device, to forstall disaster resulting from irregular surfaces.
sounds like some sensible bling - my favorite type.

[Grappa]

Why chance it?

TT Bike Crash


Not saying this guy had no damper, I am sure he did.  Just some graphic video of an angry, ugly tank slapper!!

[moto-science]

The story was his rear shock broke......or so I read somewhere.
That was a medium speed  tankslapper. It was building up and he still lost it.
Not saying I could have saved it. He probably had a damper which is why he had some time to try to save it.
I was in a tankslapper with faster tankslapping which came on instantaneously and very violent.
I fractured fingers before I knew it. There is no time to do anything in that sort of tankslapper.
Just slowing it down and your chances improve markedly.

[Howie]

Any one know how the rider did? 

[slowkitty]

Digressing here, anyone knows how does this damper mount?



Cheers

[rule62]

Digressing here, anyone knows how does this damper mount?

Cheers

Top mount.  Some of that extra looking stuff is for the immobilizer/key-chip/antenna deal.  The black spacer at the bottom right of the package fits under the ignition switch (key) and allows the bracket (to the right of the damper in the package) to be attached as the frame mount.  The ignition switch cover comes with a longer wire allowing the immobilizer chip to function properly.  The triangular bracket (at the top of the package) mounts through two of the the handlebar clamp holes with longer bolts, and the little circular clamp is secured to it.  The damper piston end is attached to the frame mount and the damper barrel is held in place by the circular clamp on the handlebar mount. 

[Bill in OKC]

I searched and found that was Paul Orritt on Bray Hill in 1999.  He survived, broke a leg and did serious damage to his hand.  One post said he retired from racing after that.

[yosso]

Yet another scary crash.

Not a Ducati, (but it was an Italian bike)

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527124

Almost makes me want to get a damper.

Mike

[slowkitty]

Top mount.  Some of that extra looking stuff is for the immobilizer/key-chip/antenna deal.  The black spacer at the bottom right of the package fits under the ignition switch (key) and allows the bracket (to the right of the damper in the package) to be attached as the frame mount.  The ignition switch cover comes with a longer wire allowing the immobilizer chip to function properly.  The triangular bracket (at the top of the package) mounts through two of the the handlebar clamp holes with longer bolts, and the little circular clamp is secured to it.  The damper piston end is attached to the frame mount and the damper barrel is held in place by the circular clamp on the handlebar mount. 

Thanks for the comprehensive note. Pushing my luck here, any idea how ideal is this for a clip-on arrangement? Thinking of getting a clip-on with about 2 inch rise to go with this. The potential down angle worries me on whether the damper can be used.

Cheers